Gardeners are being urged to use mango fruits in their garden this summer as a perfect, chemical-free pest deterrent to enjoy their garden before autumn. The exotic import fruit is a popular choice for fruit salads, smoothies and as a topping for ice cream or sorbet, but it can also be used to keep wasps away when spending time outdoors.
Why wasps are drawn to sweet fruits
While wasps are important pollinators and a key part of the ecosystem, they can be a nuisance when buzzing around during outdoor meals or sunbathing. According to pest experts, placing fruits like pears or mango, or sugary fizzy drinks, in the garden acts as a sort of lightning rod for wasps, drawing them away from people and to a safe place out of the way.
How to set up the bait
The bait can be placed around a 10ft-20ft space in the harmless area where you want the wasps to gather, keeping them away from where you are. Pest Exterminator website Eliminate Solutions says: “Wasps are attracted to sweet products. You can use soda pop (7 Up, Sprite, Mountain Dew) or ripe and sweet fruits (pear or mango) as bait to detour the wasps elsewhere. Place the fruits in an un-waxed paper bag with the top open. If you use soda pop, place the soda pop in a cup. Leave the baits at the area around 10-20 feet from which you want to keep the wasps away. The sugary fragrance will attract the wasps.”
Alternative natural repellents
This method is considered the best option because it does not harm wasps but keeps them away while outdoors. Another option is a natural repellent such as citronella oil. Eliminate Solutions adds: “Citronella oil comes from the lemongrass plant, which is native to Southeast Asia and India. It’s used in a number of beauty products, including soaps, lotions and candles. It also works as a natural insect repellent against ants and other flying insects, such as mosquitoes and ticks. Some people also rub it on their skin to keep away flies when they’re outside in the sun.”
“Burning citronella candles to infuse the outdoor area [will also] keep wasps away.”
