If you open up your mailbox one day and you find a dryer sheet inside, you may be wondering why it was there and who would put it there. The answer is simple: the mailman probably put the dryer sheet inside your mailbox.
Why? He may have stuck his hand inside to deliver your mail one day and either discovered there were wasps inside or he may have actually gotten bitten by one.
What Attracts Wasps to Mailboxes?
If you already have wasps flying around the overhang of your house you may already be used to them being in the area. It seems as though wasps and yellowjackets like to take refuge in mailboxes because they are secluded and keep them protected from the heat in the summer and the cold in the winter.
It is a nice place for them to build their nests as they are out of the way and they don’t have to deal with extreme temperatures.
How Do Wasps Get in a Mailbox?
There are a number of ways that wasps can get into your mailbox. They could just be flying by and while it is open they can fly inside. They can also take their time and really investigate the area if your mailbox is left open for any reason.
If you have a loose door on your mailbox that occasionally drops down if it gets windy outside you may want to take measures to secure that door before you find any unwanted tenants inside one day.
Why is it Important to Keep Wasps Out of a Mailbox?
As this article started out, it is important to keep wasps out of your mailbox unless you want to experience a lapse in your mail delivery.
While a mailman may take matters into his own hands and leave a dryer sheet in there to deter the wasps, not everyone knows this trick yet and may end up getting stung when he sticks his hand inside to deliver your mail.
How to Keep Wasps Out of a Mailbox
Other than their hurtful sting, wasps are funny little creatures that can be kept away from your home and mailbox in a number of ways, many that have to do with a range of scents that they do not like. That is probably a mild statement as there are aromas that they hate and they will stay far away if they even get a whiff of them.
Here are some tried-and-true ways, mostly natural, that can keep your home and mailbox wasp-free.
1 – Dryer Sheets
This is not only a simple remedy when trying to get rid of wasps, it is probably something you already have in your home.
For some reason, wasps do not like the smell of dryer sheets. There is no specific brand or scent that they don’t like, any dryer sheet will do.
Dryer sheets are made to soften your laundry and leave it smelling fresh. These sheets are concentrated so they can work effectively as they circulate in your dryer.
The extreme smell is a no-no to wasps.
2 – Natural Oils
A combination of three essential oils has been found to be effective in keeping wasps away from your mailbox.
Take a small spray bottle, fill it with water and add a few squirts of dish soap. Combine equal drops of the following essential oils: geranium, clove, and lemongrass.
Shake it up to combine then spray your mailbox inside and out.
3 – Homemade Wasp Spray
There are two other homemade sprays that can keep wasps away: Plain dish soap and water; Peppermint oil. Both can be created the same way as the natural oils listed above.
4 – Fake Nests
Purchasing fake nests may sound dangerous but the truth is wasps are very territorial. When they see what they think is a nest belonging to another wasp they steer clear of that area and look for another location to set down their nest.
While this may not be something you may have seen before and not know where to find them for sale, you can easily order a small set online.
5 – Make Your Own Fake Nests
A simple way to make your own fake wasp nest is to take a medium brown paper bag, fill it with crumpled up newspaper until it is filled. Tie the end tightly and hang it in a place where wasps will see it.
6 – Professional Non-Toxic Wasp Spray
There are a number of sprays that work well in getting rid of wasps. A few of the top sprays include Hot Shot Wasp and Hornet Killer, Ortho Home Defense Hornet and Wasp Killer, and Raid Wasp and Hornet Killer.
You can easily find these in the garden section of warehouse stores like Lowes and Home Depot, and also online.
7 – Make Your Own Wasp Trap
There is a do-it-yourself wasp trap you can make with a coffee can and a few additional ingredients.
Make a hole in the top of the coffee can lid about the size of a quarter. Into the can add some jam, orange juice, small bits of fresh fruit, and water. Shake it up to mix it around then put the coffee can where you want to keep the wasps away.
The wasp will be attracted to the mixture but once they enter the can they won’t be able to get out. All you have to do once you have a few dead wasps is dispose of the can.
8 – Buy a Professional Wasp Trap
If you would rather have a premade wasp tray you can find a number for sale at your local hardware store, the Home and Garden section of any of the major warehouse stores or you can find a selection online. Here is one that is effective and reasonably priced.
If you see wasps circling your mailbox, take steps right away to get rid of them or you may have to start picking up your mail at the post office!
I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and over 10 years of experience working in IT. As a homeowner, I love working on projects around the house, and as a father, I love investigating various ways to keep my family safe (whether or not this involves tech). I’ve also played guitar for almost 20 years and love writing music, although it’s hard to find the time these days.