5 home items accidentally attracting wasps to your home, according to experts – *spoiler* your Bag for Life is one of them

Now that summer has arrived, we’re leaving the windows open and making the most of our gardens. But with this comes the nuisance of wasps, and if you want to keep wasps away from your home, you need to understand what’s attracting them. And these are five unusual household items inadvertently attracting wasps to your home.

I’d wager most of us want to know how to get rid of wasps. These buzzing pests not only have a nasty sting, but can sometimes behave aggressively and are a phobia to many. So, if you want to avoid a home and garden full of wasps, you need to address the things that attract them.

While there are many ways to deter wasps, including using scent or even fake wasp nests, let’s address the root cause of what's attracting them to your home in the first place.

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1. Sweet candles and diffusers

In summer, more often than not, the best candles and reed diffusers we choose for our home have a sweet, fruity scent. While gourmand vanilla or floral rose smells amazing to you and me, unfortunately, wasps are a huge fan of these fragrances, too.

‘Fruity or floral scented candles and reed diffusers are one of the most overlooked wasp attractants in the home. Wasps are drawn to sweet smells in the same way they are drawn to ripe fruit, and a diffuser pumping out mango or tropical scents near an open window is essentially a welcome sign. Swap to more neutral or citrus-based scents, which are less attractive to wasps and actively repellent in the case of citronella,’ explains Mosh Latifi, co-owner of EcoCare Pest Management.

If you’re looking for a citronella candle that deters pests but also smells good to the human nose, I swear by Neom’s Complete Bliss Citronella Outdoor Candle (£55 at LookFantastic), which doesn’t smell as overpowering as other citronella candles and is wonderfully fresh.

2. Outdoor cushions

I’m sorry to say it, but your outdoor cushions are attracting wasps to your home, and it’s all down to the nesting potential that cushions provide.

‘This one isn't a major attractor, but outdoor cushions can sometimes provide sheltered spots for wasps to investigate, particularly if they're left outside all season. In some cases, worn or damaged furnishings may also provide fibres that certain species can use when building nests. Storing cushions away when they're not in use and replacing badly frayed items can help minimise the risk,’ says Luke Newnes, gardening expert at Hillarys.

To stop wasps from making your outdoor cushions their home, store them in a vacuum-sealed bag (such as these for £11.39 on Amazon) to prevent any creepy-crawlies making their way in.

3. Bags for life

Yep, the bag for life you picked up from the supermarket and currently have stashed in a cupboard, drawer, or even your car could be attracting wasps to your home - especially if you haven’t cleaned it before storing it.

‘Reusable bags that have carried groceries and not been washed regularly can retain food odours that attract wasps, particularly if stored in a warm car boot or shed. Give bags a regular wash, especially during summer, and do not store them near entry points to the house,’ says Mosh.

4. Standing water and leaky taps

You should check your garden and home for any leaky taps or stagnant water, as this can also attract wasps to your home.

‘Like most insects, wasps need water, particularly during hot, dry weather. Dripping taps, water collecting in plant trays, bird baths or other damp areas can become regular drinking spots. Fixing leaks and removing unnecessary standing water won't prevent wasps entirely, but it can make your garden less attractive to them,’ says Luke.

If you have a bird bath and want to continue to support birds in hot weather, you don’t have to remove it. Simply position it a bit further away from your home to reduce the distance from you and any wasps. You could also consider planting plants that wasps dislike, to deter them from coming near the area.

5. Pet food

Last but not least is pet food, which can also attract wasps to your home if left out after your pets have finished eating.

‘Cat and dog food left in bowls outside, or even inside near an open door or window, attracts wasps looking for protein as much as sugar. Wasps actively seek protein sources in summer to feed their larvae, and pet food is an easy target. Remove pet bowls as soon as feeding is finished rather than leaving them down all day,’ says Mosh.

Get rid of wasps

I’d have never guessed that a few of these items would attract wasps to my home - especially my bag for life! But now we know the unusual things that attract wasps, we can ensure we don’t leave them lying around. Prevention is better than a cure, after all.