What Repels Wasps? Natural and Practical Ways to Keep Them Away

An invasive species in many parts of Australia, European wasps are one of the most common problem wasps around homes. They’re strongly attracted to sweet foods, meat, soft drinks and rubbish bins, which is why they often appear around BBQs and outdoor dining areas.

2. Paper wasps (Polistes species)

Native paper wasps are commonly found across Australia and are known for their open, umbrella-shaped nests under eaves, pergolas and outdoor furniture. They tend to be less aggressive than European wasps but will defend their nests if disturbed.

3. Yellowjackets (Vespula vulgaris)

Yellowjackets, including Vespula vulgaris, are closely related to European wasps and are known for their persistent scavenging behaviour. Research published in entomology journals describes them as highly food-motivated, which explains why they frequently appear around bins, outdoor tables and food preparation areas.

What repels wasps? Understanding their behaviour

To understand what repels wasps, it helps to first understand why they come near us in the first place. Research into wasp behaviour — including studies published in entomology and insect behaviour journals — shows that wasps are highly sensory-driven insects. They rely heavily on smell, sight and learned cues to decide where to forage and where to avoid.

1. Wasps are driven by food and scent

Wasps are opportunistic foragers. Scientific studies on social wasps have shown they’re strongly attracted to:

• Sweet smells (fruit, soft drinks, desserts)
  
• Protein sources (meat, fish, pet food)
  
• Food residues and spills

This is why they often appear around BBQs, outdoor tables and bins. Repelling wasps often starts with disrupting these scent signals, rather than trying to chase them away once they arrive.

2. They’re cautious and risk-aware by nature

Behavioural research has also shown that wasps are not reckless insects. They constantly assess risk in their environment. Areas that appear unsafe, unfamiliar, or already “claimed” by other wasps are more likely to be avoided.

This is an important point, because many repellents don’t work by overpowering wasps — they work by making an area less appealing or more threatening from a wasp’s point of view.

3. Territorial instincts play a role

Studies on social wasps highlight strong territorial behaviour, particularly around nesting areas. Wasps are less likely to settle or forage in spaces they believe are already occupied by another colony. This instinct is why certain visual or spatial deterrents can sometimes be effective, even without strong scents or chemicals.

4. Why strong smells can help

Research into insect olfactory systems shows that wasps have sensitive smell receptors. Strong or unfamiliar scents can interfere with their ability to locate food sources accurately. This doesn’t necessarily “repel” them in an aggressive way — instead, it makes the area confusing or unattractive enough that they move on to easier targets elsewhere.

What this means in practice

From a behavioural point of view, what repels wasps tends to fall into three broad categories:

• Removing or masking food smells
  
• Introducing scents they find disruptive
  
• Making an area appear occupied or risky

How to repel wasps naturally

For many people, the goal isn’t to eliminate wasps — it’s simply to keep them from hovering around living spaces. Natural methods focus on making an area less attractive to wasps by disrupting their senses or removing what draws them in to begin with.

These approaches work best when used together, rather than relying on just one method.

Reduce what attracts wasps

One of the most effective natural strategies is prevention.

• Keep food and drinks covered when eating outdoors
  
• Clean up spills quickly, especially sugary drinks
  
• Seal rubbish bins tightly and rinse containers where possible

Removing food cues often reduces wasp activity more than any repellent alone.

Use scent-based deterrents

Wasps rely heavily on smell, and certain strong scents can interfere with how they locate food.

Scientific research suggests that certain strong-smelling essential oils can act as spatial repellents for social wasps by interfering with their ability to detect food cues.

A study published in the Journal of Pest Management Science examined the repellent effects of common essential oils on pestiferous social wasps, including yellowjackets (Vespula species) and paper wasps (Polistes species). Researchers field-tested a wide range of oils using baited traps to see which scents discouraged wasps from approaching.

The study found that many essential oils showed significant repellent effects, particularly those with strong, distinctive aromas. Oils identified as effective in reducing wasp attraction included:

• Clove
  
• Lemongrass
  
• Citronella
  
• Peppermint and spearmint
  
• Eucalyptus
  
• Rosemary
  
• Lavender
  
• Geranium
  
• Thyme
  
• Sage
  
• Wintergreen
  
• Ylang ylang
  
• Patchouli
  
• Roman chamomile
  
• Fennel seed
  
• Anise

Interestingly, the researchers also found that combinations of certain oils were especially effective. Blends containing clove, geranium and lemongrass — with or without rosemary — were shown to completely block wasp attraction in the field trials.

That said, effectiveness can vary depending on concentration, placement and environmental conditions. For best results, scent-based deterrents tend to work best when:

• Applied close to the area you’re trying to protect
  
• Reapplied regularly
  
• Used alongside other measures like food control and surface cleaning

Plants that repel wasps

Plants won’t stop wasps entirely, but strong-smelling plants can help make an area less attractive by interfering with the scents wasps use to locate food. They work best as a supporting measure, especially around patios, balconies and entry points.

Here are some plants commonly mentioned for their wasp-deterring potential:

1. Mint

Mint has a strong, sharp aroma that many insects find unpleasant. Placing mint plants near outdoor seating areas or doorways may help reduce wasp interest. Keep in mind that mint spreads easily, so pots are often the best option.

2. Basil

Basil’s fragrant leaves release natural oils that can help mask food smells. It’s practical for outdoor dining areas and doubles as a useful herb for cooking.

3. Lemongrass

Lemongrass contains compounds similar to citronella, which can help discourage insects. It’s often used near patios or BBQ areas and grows well in warm conditions.

4. Lavender

Lavender’s strong floral scent may help make spaces less appealing to wasps. It’s also low maintenance and works well in pots near windows or outdoor seating.

5. Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus leaves have a strong aroma that some wasps avoid. While not practical for every space, smaller potted varieties or dried leaves can still be useful near outdoor areas.

What doesn’t repel wasps

When wasps become a nuisance, it’s easy to try whatever advice pops up first. However, not all commonly shared tips are effective — and some don’t address wasp behaviour at all.

1. Sudden movements or trying to scare them away

Waving arms, swatting or making sudden movements doesn’t repel wasps. In fact, it can make things worse. Wasps may interpret rapid or aggressive movement as a threat, increasing the chance of defensive behaviour rather than encouraging them to leave.

The same applies to using devices like portable table fans that are sometimes used to swat flies. While airflow can help discourage smaller insects, using fans to actively “shoo” or strike at wasps can agitate them and increase the risk of stings, rather than keeping them away.

2. Sweet “decoy” food placed nearby

Leaving sugary food out to “distract” wasps often has the opposite effect. It can attract more wasps to the area and increase competition around food, rather than drawing them away.

3. Noise-based deterrents

Devices or methods that rely on sound, vibration or ultrasonic noise haven’t been shown to reliably repel wasps. Wasps primarily rely on smell and visual cues, not sound, when foraging.

4. Single-solution fixes

There’s no one-size-fits-all trick that instantly repels wasps. Most effective approaches work by combining good habits, scent disruption, and environmental cues. Relying on a single myth-based solution often leads to disappointment.

When natural methods aren’t enough

Natural methods can be very effective in many situations, but there are times when wasps continue to return despite best efforts. This usually isn’t because the methods are “wrong” — it’s because of the environment itself.

Some environments naturally attract wasps

Areas with frequent food smells, open rubbish bins, fruit trees or regular outdoor dining can remain attractive to wasps, even with good hygiene and scent-based deterrents in place.

Repeated nesting locations

If wasps have successfully nested in a spot before — such as under eaves, pergolas or roof edges — they’re more likely to return to the same area in future seasons. In these cases, scent-based methods alone may not be enough to discourage them from settling.

High-traffic outdoor spaces

Busy patios, cafés, balconies and BBQ areas create constant movement, food cues and human activity. This combination can make it harder to rely solely on plants or natural scents to keep wasps away consistently.

When these situations come up, some people look for alternative approaches that don’t rely on sprays, oils or frequent reapplication.

A different approach: Visual wasp deterrents

While scent-based and natural methods can help in many situations, some people look for alternatives that don’t rely on sprays, oils or regular reapplication. One option that’s often discussed is visual wasp deterrents, which work in a very different way.

Why visual deterrents can work

We’ve established before that social wasps are highly territorial insects. This means, they tend to avoid areas they believe are already occupied by another colony, as competing for territory increases risk and reduces access to resources.

Visual deterrents are designed to mimic the appearance of an established wasp nest, triggering this avoidance behaviour. Rather than repelling wasps through scent, they aim to discourage wasps from settling in an area in the first place.

A non-chemical alternative

Products like the Super Ninja Waspinator use this visual approach by imitating the size and shape of a natural wasp nest. When placed in an outdoor area, the presence of the “nest” can signal to nearby wasps that the territory is already claimed, encouraging them to stay away.

• The Waspinator is designed to be hung in spring, before peak wasp activity, for best results
  
• It works without chemicals, poisons or sprays
  
• It can help reduce wasp activity within the surrounding area once in place
  
• It’s made from durable materials and can be reused season after season

To maintain its shape, the Waspinator is typically filled with lightweight material (such as plastic bags or similar filler) so it resembles a real nest more closely.

Conclusion: Finding what works for your space

Repelling wasps isn’t about using one magic solution — it’s about understanding their behaviour and choosing approaches that suit your home and lifestyle. Wasps are attracted by food smells, familiar nesting spots and busy outdoor areas, which is why simple habits like covering food, cleaning surfaces and reducing attractants can make a real difference.

Natural methods such as strong scents, essential oils and certain plants can help discourage wasps, especially when used together. In spaces where wasps return year after year or where sprays and scents aren’t ideal, visual deterrents offer an alternative approach by working with wasps’ natural territorial instincts rather than against them.

The key takeaway is flexibility. Different environments call for different solutions, and combining practical habits with the right deterrents can help create outdoor spaces that feel more comfortable — without overdoing it.

Shop Super Ninja's natural wasp repellent, the Waspinator