How to Get Rid of Flying Insects, Wasps, Bees and Spiders

Wasps, bees and many other flying insects are beneficial creatures that provide valuable services to farmers and gardeners. Flying insects, especially bees, assist in the pollination of flowering plants. Many varieties of bees make honey. Wasps devour other insects that may cause harm to crops. Spiders are also beneficial arthropods. They are carnivores and help to keep down the population of harmful insects. But in spite of these facts, wasps, bees and spiders are not welcome guests in and around the home or on picnics. Bees and wasps may sting, and some spider species bite. Although most varieties are not aggressive, many people are still intimidated by them. There are several things you can do to drive these creatures away if they become a nuisance.

Jar and lid

Apple juice

Insecticide

Remove or cover all potential food sources. When bees and wasps are attracted to humans and human dwellings, it is usually because they smell something to eat. Sugar-filled sodas and fruit juices are especially attractive to them. Use lids on cups at picnics and keep desserts and trash cans covered. If flying insects cannot find food, they will usually go away. Since spiders are completely carnivorous, you can drive them away by driving away insects, which are their primary food source.

Remove any nests on or near your house. Many wasp varieties like to build their nests under the eaves of houses. A nest can usually be knocked down and crushed or burned. Yellow jackets often like to nest in holes in the ground, which can be unpleasant if you are mowing the lawn. The insects in the underground nest can be drowned by running a hose into the nest. Once the hole is thoroughly soaked with water, fill it in with soil to discourage more nesting. Spider webs can usually be destroyed with a broom or a stick.

Catch wasps and other flying insects in traps. Poke holes in a jar lid, then fill the jar with apple juice. Put the lid on the jar and set it far away from your house or picnic. The wasps will crawl into the jar and drown.

Spray the insects or spiders with a commercial insecticide. Do this only if the other methods do not work since the insecticide may harm other beneficial insects as well.

Destroy wasp and yellow jacket nests at night when the insects are dormant.

Avoid using gasoline to destroy nests. Fire can injure you and cause damage to your house.