Slice Up This Crunchy Veggie To Deter Wasps From Your Patio

Next time you've got a few uninvited guests at an outdoor summer chill sesh, keep the Raid in the closet and try cucumbers. Even though buzzing wasps can kill your buzz, they're valuable members of your backyard's ecosystem. If there's a way to keep them out of your face without killing them, it's worth a shot. Enter cucumbers. The Greenhouse People, one of the UK's leading Greenhouse manufacturers, told Express that "wasps detest cucumber." 

Apparently, wasps are picky eaters. While leaving certain foods out will attract wasps to your yard, cucumbers do the opposite. Bug-battling professionals seem to agree that the acidity in a cucumber peel sends wasps flying off in the opposite direction. This repellent is a two-part solution. Cucumbers are the main ingredient, but if you want to activate the wasp-repelling chemicals completely, place your cucumbers onto aluminum. The combination will trigger an utterly invisible reaction that is harmless to us but aggravating for wasps. 

Using cucumbers and aluminum to create a natural wasp repellent is incredibly easy — and a great excuse to eat some cucumbers. Slice one for yourself, one for the bugs, and repeat. You can even pair your cucumber with another common kitchen staple to create a super-effective natural wasp repellent.

The best part about this repellent is how easy it is. You don't need to do anything to the cucumbers you wouldn't do while making a salad. In fact, you can just make a salad on the side. As long as you leave the peel on the cucumber and put some cucumber on top of the aluminum, you're doing it right.  Start by slicing fresh cucumbers thinly and placing them in several aluminum pie plates, or just stacking them on top of aluminum foil. It's a good idea to repeat this a few times so you have several different repellent smells going at once.  

Place a few around your patio if you're going to be eating outside to create a scent barrier between you and the wasps, or add them around your garden wherever you notice that wasps like to gather. Fresh cucumbers work best, so you can leave this cucumber aluminum solution out for a day or two before replacing them. You can keep the wasps off your porch without putting your kids or pets in the way of toxic chemicals.  

The best solution to many pest problems is a multifaceted approach. While this cucumber aluminum trick has surprising effectiveness, it alone might not be enough to keep wasps from ruining your picnic. Constantly keeping your outdoor area clean will help this repellent work better and lower the chances of any wasps buzzing around. While cleaning, focus mainly on covering up any food left out, or better yet, bringing it all inside as soon as you're finished. Definitely don't leave any lemonade, honey, or other sugary snacks and drinks within easy access of flying insects. 

Beyond the usual picnic tips, there are a few other lesser-known mistakes that are attracting wasps to your yard. If you consistently get wasp interference when you're outside, chances are you've got a wasp nest nearby. Check any cracks, seams, and tucked-away corners in your house foundation. All those inviting nooks and crannies look like fresh real estate to wasps and other pests. Also, you should check on your wooden furniture and outdoor water sources to ensure wasps haven't grouped up in these welcoming areas. Slicing up some fresh cucumber, laying it on aluminum foil, and keeping an eye on your exterior areas will help you enjoy more time outside with less risk of wasp stings.