You’ve got the grill going, the drinks flowing, the tunes playing, and then they show up: wasps.
They’re uninvited, buzzing, nosy as ever, and absolutely obsessed with whatever’s on your plate. Nothing ruins a chilled-out BBQ faster than dodging wasps with a burger in hand. However, there are ways to outsmart them without turning your garden into a war zone. Here’s how to keep the vibes high and the wasps out.
1. Keep sugary drinks covered.
Wasps love a sweet sip just as much as you do, so leaving cans or cups out is basically sending them a handwritten invite. If you’re serving fizzy drinks or cocktails, cover them up when you’re not drinking. Even better, use cups with lids or keep a stash of paper straws and reusable covers nearby.
Not only does this stop wasps from diving in, it also prevents the horror of accidentally sipping one. Ugh, and let’s be honest, nothing kills a party mood like having to fish a wasp out of your Ribena.
2. Move the bin far away.
That bin full of food scraps and sticky wrappers is a wasp magnet. If it’s sitting right next to your BBQ table, you’re basically asking for trouble. Keep it as far from the party zone as possible, preferably downwind and sealed tight. If you don’t have a proper bin lid, even tossing a damp tea towel over the top is better than nothing. Just don’t let the wasps turn your rubbish into their buffet.
3. Set up a decoy plate.
Sounds weird, but it works. Take a small plate, stick some overripe fruit or a spoonful of jam on it, and place it well away from where everyone’s hanging out. Wasps tend to follow the easiest food source, and this gives them one that’s not attached to a human face. It’s a bit like feeding the zombies in a horror film so they leave the house alone. Sneaky, but effective. Just don’t forget where you put it, or you’ll accidentally walk into wasp HQ later.
4. Avoid strong floral perfumes.
You might want to smell like summer, but wasps are into that too. Scented body sprays, floral perfumes, and even some shampoos can attract them like you’re the dessert course. If you’re hosting, go for something unscented or super mild. You’ll still smell clean, but hopefully not like a walking honeypot. Save the fancy spritz for after the bugs go home.
5. Cover food as much as possible.
It’s tempting to lay everything out like a buffet, but uncovered meats, sauces, and fruit are an open invitation. Grab some mesh food covers or even use upturned bowls to keep the worst of the wasps out. You don’t need to swat them; you just need to make access more annoying than it’s worth. Think of it as food security with fewer wings involved.
6. Skip the floral tablecloths.
Weirdly specific, but anything that looks like a flower could trick wasps into landing. That bright sunflower-printed tablecloth? Kinda looks like lunch to them. Same goes for clothes, as bright colours and floral prints are weirdly attractive to insects. Stick to plain, chill colours if you can. Neutrals might not scream “summer vibes,” but they also don’t scream, “I’m a flower, please land on me.”
7. Light a citronella candle (or three).
Citronella isn’t just for mosquitoes—it throws off wasps too. Set up a few citronella candles around the seating area and near the food zone to create an invisible barrier they’re less likely to cross. It won’t get rid of every single one, but it helps create a buffer. Bonus: it makes the place smell a bit like a spa, which is always a win.
8. Stay calm and don’t flail.
Nothing says, “Attack me!!!” like waving your arms and shouting. Wasps aren’t naturally aggressive, but they do get defensive fast. If one buzzes near you, stay still or move away slowly. Don’t act like you’re trying to start a fight. Swatting at them only makes them more interested. Think of it like ignoring an annoying person at a party: you don’t feed the chaos.
9. Choose your BBQ spot wisely.
If you’re setting up under a tree or next to a hedge full of flowers, you’re already in wasp territory. Try to pick a more open space with fewer natural attractants nearby. Wasps are like nosy neighbours; they go where the action is. So the less appealing your BBQ area looks from their point of view, the better.
10. Don’t leave sugary sauces out.
Barbecue sauce, ketchup, chutneys—basically anything sticky and sweet is prime wasp bait. Once you’re done using them, screw the lids back on and stash them somewhere shaded or covered. You might not think twice about an open ketchup bottle, but the wasps definitely will. And once one finds it, they’ll invite the whole hive over for tea.