5 DIY Fake Wasp Nests You Can Make Today (With Pictures)
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Ed Malaker
- Last updated:
If you have wasps on your property, getting rid of them can be a hassle. But if you have children or pets, they might get stung if they get too close to the nest. A fake wasp nest can help deter real wasps from building a nest because they like to stay at least 200 feet from other colonies. However, many people aren’t sure how to build a fake wasp nest, so if you need help getting started, keep reading as we list several projects that you can make.
The Top 5 DIY Fake Wasp Nests
1. DIY Fake Wasp Deterrent
| Materials: | Chicken wire, cloth strips |
| Tools: | Glue |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
The DIY Fake Wasp Deterrent project is a great way to start building nests. The project is easy, and you can complete it in a short time with low-cost materials like chicken wire. You use the wire to form the nest and wrap it with strips of cloth to complete the appearance. It’s quite durable and lightweight and can last many seasons.
2. Duct Tape Wasp Nest Decoy
| Materials: | Dollar-store foam football, duct tape |
| Tools: | Scissors |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
The Duct Tape Wasp Nest Decoy is a great project for those who like to build things with items that you have around the house or can purchase at the dollar store. To create this fake wasp nest, you will primarily use duct tape and a cheap foam football or something similarly shaped and lightweight. The tape provides the wrap and can be quite weatherproof, depending on the quality.
3. Yellowjacket Wasp Decoy Nest
| Materials: | Flour, water, balloon, paint |
| Tools: | Scissors hammer |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
The Yellowjacket Wasp Decoy Nest is an easy project that you can build using items that you might already have, like flour, water, a balloon, paint, and an eyehook. To complete this project, you blow up the balloon and coat it with paper dipped in flour and water to create a realistic-looking wasp nest. Once dry, you can paint the nest for even better results.
4. That Farm Mama Wasp Deterrent
| Materials: | Brown paper bag, shredded paper, rubber band |
| Tools: | Glue |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
That Farm Mama Wasp Deterrent is a project that proves you don’t need to spend much money or time on a fake wasp nest for it to be successful, as it only requires a brown paper bag and shredded paper. You can build this project in a few minutes. The shredded paper bulks up the bag so it looks like a nest without being too heavy.
5. Crochet Wasp Be Gone Nest
| Materials: | Yarn, foam stuffing |
| Tools: | Crochet needle |
| Difficulty: | Moderate |
The Crochet Wasp Be Gone Nest is an attractive project that is considered moderately difficult because not everyone knows how to crochet. However, if you do have the experience, this is an easy project that will only take a few hours to complete and can last a long time.
What Are Fake Wasp Nests Made Of?
You can make a fake wasp nest out of many items. As long as it has a similar shape and size as what you might see in the wild, there is a good chance that it will work. Common items are fabric, chicken wire, foam, shredded paper, and paper bags.
Where Should I Hang My Fake Wasp Nest?
The best place to hang your fake wasp nest is under the eaves of your home and garage and near any real ones that you find. Placing it where it will have shelter from rain and direct sunlight will help it last longer. Put it 6–8 feet above the ground and at least 12 feet from where you cook and eat.
How Do Fake Wasp Nests Work?
Wasps prefer to stay with their own colony and will avoid interacting with other colonies. Placing a fake wasp nest on your property can trick the wasps into thinking that another colony got there first, so they will leave.
Will Fake Wasp Nests Work on Carpenter Bees?
While a fake wasp nest is for repelling wasps, some people claim that it works against carpenter bees. While there are no studies or reports to confirm this, carpenter bees may move on from your property after seeing a fake wasp’s nest because they are afraid that real wasps are present.
What Other Methods Can I Use to Repel Wasps?
- Don’t leave any food lying around your property because it can attract bugs that wasps like to eat.
- Grow plants that repel wasps, like cucumber, basil, mint, and marigolds.
- Fill any holes in the ground to prevent the yellowjacket wasp from using it to build a nest.
- Keep all your garbage cans tightly sealed.
- Use an ultrasonic pest repeller to drive off the wasps on your property.
- Use a commercial wasp and hornet killer at sunset, when bees are inactive, for the best results.
Summary
A fake wasp nest can be a great way to get rid of wasps on your property, and it might even help keep carpenter bees away. Almost all the projects on this list are easy to make, and in most cases, you can complete them in just a few hours. We like the DIY Fake Wasp Deterrent because the chicken wire helps create an authentic-looking nest and is quite durable. If you are looking for a fun project that you can build using items around the home, it’s hard to beat the That Farm Mama Wasp Deterrent project. Whichever nest you build, keep it out of the rain to make it stay looking good.
Featured Image Credit: Sandy Millar, Pixabay
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