There are several species of wasps that live in the McKinney area. No matter which species inhabit your yard, you should take preventative measures to keep the pests away. Follow these tips to make your yard less appealing to these stinging insects.
1. Seal up Potential Nesting Areas
One of the first things you should do to prevent wasps from nesting on your home is to seal up all of your entrances. They look for openings in chimneys and holes along your roofline. Seal them up well.
2. Plant the Right Plants
There are a few plants that repel wasps. For instance, cucumber plants keep away wasps and bees. Basil, geraniums, and marigolds also have the same effect. While this won’t ensure that your yard is wasp-proof, it will limit the population.
3. Trim Back Your Hedges and Trees
The more overgrowth in your yard, the more wasps you will have on your property. Do your best to trim back your trees and hedges, and wasps will have fewer places to build nests.
4. Don’t Leave Sweets Out
When you have a large gathering, you might have some sweet desserts or sweet drinks set out. Unfortunately, this will attract any wasps lingering around your yard. Store your food and drinks in sealed containers, or keep them indoors.
5. Keep Flowering Vegetation Away From Your Home
Just as there are some flowers that repel wasps, others attract these pests. Queen Anne’s Lace, sweet fennel, and yarrow are irresistible to stinging insects. If you plant these flowers in your garden, be sure to do so away from your home.
6. Use Tight Lids On Trash Cans
Your trash will attract wasps and other pests. To try to maintain a pest-free yard, you need to use tight lids on all of your trash cans. You should do the same for any compost bins.
7. Remove Yard Debris
When you have debris such as tree stumps and fallen trees in your yard, you’re attracting wasps. Make your yard less appealing by being diligent about the removal of debris. Doing so is an easy way to keep wasps away.
8. Limit Water Sources
Just like all other pests, wasps need water to survive. If you remove all of your water sources, you’ll limit their population in your yard. This means maintaining your downspouts and gutters as well as repairing all of your leaky fixtures and hoses.
What Wasps Live In McKinney?
Although there are many species of wasps in McKinney, some are more prevalent than others. One of the most common type is the paper wasp. This wasp is best identified by its nest, which resembles an upside-down umbrella. The insects themselves tend to be brown with some yellow. However, some species have bright orange or red markings.
Another common type of wasp in the McKinney area is the mud dauber. Also easily identified by its nest, the mud dauber often makes mud nests on the side of houses. They are typically black or metallic blue and can have yellow or green markings.
Perhaps the most well-known type of wasp in McKinney is the yellow jacket. These yellow and black wasps have pinched waists. They are typically black or brown and yellow or orange.
Do You Need Professional Intervention?
There’s no guaranteed way to keep wasps away from your property. However, some methods of wasp prevention and removal are more effective than others. If you find yourself struggling to keep away stinging insects, you need professional intervention. A professional will evaluate the situation and determine the safest way to prevent and eliminate wasps. Contact Adams Exterminating Company for more advice or assistance.