Your mailbox is something that you want to stay in good shape. It’s important for the mail that you receive to be protected.
If the mailbox isn’t in good shape, it will be easier for the mail to get wet. Also, you don’t want people to be able to see inside the mailbox since you don’t want packages to get stolen by shady individuals.
Have you opened your mailbox recently and found a dryer sheet inside? If you have, it’s likely that you’re perplexed about why someone would place a dryer sheet in there.
Of course, it’s illegal for those who aren’t postal service workers to place anything in the mailbox. What does the dryer sheet mean, and is there a purpose to it?
The Dryer Sheet Was Likely Left By a Postal Worker
Generally, finding a dryer sheet in your mailbox isn’t going to be a sign to worry. You see, postal workers will sometimes leave dryer sheets in mailboxes.
Why does this happen? Well, it’s likely that bees or wasps have been frequenting your mailbox.
Sometimes bees will choose to live near mailboxes. There could even be a beehive or wasp nest somewhere on or near the mailbox.
It’s easy to see why this would be problematic. The postal workers in your area don’t want to get stung by bees or wasps simply because they need to drop off your mail.
Dryer sheets are known to deter bees and wasps. Putting a dryer sheet in the mailbox is a simple way to try to get the bees and wasps to stay away.
So if you notice a dryer sheet in the mailbox, it almost surely came from a postal worker. The postal worker likely put it there because the worker noticed bees near the mailbox.
It’s something that postal workers do to try to protect themselves. If you see a dryer sheet in the mailbox, it’s a sign that you should do something about bees and wasps in the area.
Why Do Dryer Sheets Work to Repel Bees and Wasps?
Dryer sheets work to repel bees and wasps because of the aromatic ingredients contained inside them. You know that dryer sheets are scented.
They’re designed to make your clothes smell nice when they come out of the dryer. The scents come from ingredients such as citronella, cloves, and eucalyptus.
Sometimes the dryer sheets will contain ingredients that are commonly found in repellent sprays. Certain types of bees and wasps won’t like the strong smell.
Placing a dryer sheet in the mailbox will keep wasps from wanting to stick around. If you want to protect postal workers, you might even choose to put dryer sheets in the mailbox yourself.
Every so often, you should switch the dryer sheet out for a new one. It’ll lose its potency after a certain amount of time has passed.
What Happens if the Wasp Problem Gets Worse?
If the wasp problem gets worse, you might not have your mail delivered for a while. Postal workers aren’t required to put themselves in danger to deliver your mail.
For instance, postal workers won’t deliver the mail when your mailbox is obstructed. If there’s a bunch of snow blocking the mailbox or if there’s a thick layer of ice in front of the mailbox, it’s common for postal workers not to deliver the mail.
You might receive a slip on your door informing you that there’s a problem. It’ll be necessary for you to fix the problem so your mail can resume being delivered as normal.
The same thing can happen when you have a wasp nest in or near the mailbox. This is very dangerous for the postal workers who are trying to deliver your mail.
You should try to solve this problem so it won’t disrupt normal mail service. There are a few ways you can tackle this problem.
Get Rid of Wasps Yourself
There are wasp sprays on the market that are capable of killing wasps. You can try spraying the areas that are occupied by the wasps.
The problem with this is that it can be quite dangerous. Getting near a wasp nest puts you at risk of getting stung by wasps.
In some cases, you might get stung multiple times. Some people are even allergic to these stings and might die if they don’t receive treatment fast enough.
Typically, it’s not good to try to remove a wasp nest yourself. It’s unlikely that you have the equipment or the expertise to handle the situation safely.
Call Professionals
Calling professionals is a much safer idea. You can call a local pest removal or extermination company.
These experts will have the equipment and knowledge to quickly solve problems with wasps or bees. They can remove wasp nests and bee hives no matter where they’re located.
This process will cost you money, but it’s sometimes necessary to get help for issues such as this. Professionals can solve the problem without it being a big deal since they have protective equipment to wear and the right tools for removal.
You can get your mailbox back to being safe again. Some companies might also offer to spray the area with a repellent that will keep wasps at bay for a certain period of time.
Don’t force yourself to try to handle such an issue by yourself. It’s worth it to spend a little bit of money so you don’t have to put yourself in danger.
Final Thoughts
Problems with wasps and bees can be a real pain. Sometimes bees or wasps might get inside your mailbox.
A postal worker might place a dryer sheet in the mailbox when they notice wasps or bees. These dryer sheets can help to repel the pests and keep them away from the mailbox.
You might even want to put dryer sheets in the mailbox yourself. This can help to protect the local postal workers.
Of course, if there’s a wasp nest or bee hive near your mailbox, it’d be best to have it removed. You should call professionals to handle this for you.
Now you know everything that you need to know about finding a dryer sheet in your mailbox. It doesn’t mean that someone is tampering with your mailbox, but it’s likely a sign that you have an issue with wasps or bees.
I have a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When I’m not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies…I’m at home with my wife, two daughters and a dog. Outside of family, I love grilling and barbequing on my Big Green Egg and working on projects around the house.