Genius House Hacks · a GopherCentral & PulseTV publication
Garden & Outdoor · July 16, 2026 edition

A Homemade Wasp Spray That Really Works

From Anisa's Genius House Hacks newsletter.

A few common household ingredients can help you deal with unwanted wasps around your home.

One of the things I don't like about summer is all the wasps. I worry about all my little great nephews and nieces when they come over. For whatever reason my home just attracts so many nests.

I've tried the bug guy and it just works temporarily and after calling him back a few times they wanted to charge me again!

The good news is I found this simple homemade spray that uses ingredients you probably already have, plus a few safety reminders that can help you deal with wasps without making the situation worse.

Be Well,
Anisa

A Homemade Wasp Spray That Really Works

You don't need expensive chemicals to tackle a small wasp problem. A simple mixture of vinegar and dish soap can be surprisingly effective and costs just pennies compared to store-bought sprays.

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then add a squirt of dish soap and shake gently to combine. Spray directly on wasps or a small, accessible nest in the early morning or evening when they're least active.

A Few Safety Reminders

Keep a safe distance and have an exit path in mind before you spray, since disturbed wasps can become aggressive. This approach works best for small nests you can reach safely from the ground.

For a large nest, one built high up, or if anyone in your home has a wasp allergy, it's safer to call a professional instead of tackling it yourself.

Got a handy tip of your own?

Reply back to Anisa, she loves reading your emails.

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