Wasps are a common sight in the UK during the summer months, but there’s a way to keep them at bay without the need for harsh chemicals or traps – and it’s all thanks to an item you’ve probably already got in your fridge.
![Macro image of an English wasp [Vespula vulgaris] – the most commonly found wasp in the UK – perched on bright yellow Fennel flowers with a defocused background.](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/article35506563.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/0_Juvenile-wasp-on-fennel.jpg)
Summer brings us glorious weather, but sadly this can attract hordes of nasty insects like wasps to invade our homes.
Wasps rank among the most despised pests during this season as they’re hostile and, should misfortune strike, their sting is excruciatingly painful.
Most people reach for bug spray the moment they spot a wasp, but these products often contain harsh chemicals that are toxic to inhale and can persist in the home for ages.
However, there’s a more natural yet powerful method to keep wasps away from your open windows, as specialists at Bee Aware Allergy have revealed – you simply need a touch of cucumber.
They explained: “Believe it or not, cucumber can help ward off unwanted stinging pests! All you need to do is slice a fresh cucumber and place it on aluminium foil.
“Another option is to place the cucumber slices in an aluminium pie dish.
“This trick also deters slugs and other types of bugs by producing a chemical reaction. Humans can’t smell the reaction, but the pests will steer clear of it!”.
Though it may sound peculiar, cucumber contains ascorbic acid (also known as vitamin C) which produces a bitter aroma that humans cannot detect but numerous insects will despise, reports the Express.
When cucumber makes contact with tinfoil, it triggers a reaction that intensifies this acidic scent, which can repel wasps as the odour can overpower them.
Wasps also use light for navigation, so the bright reflections from tinfoil can disorient them as they may mistake it for water, leading them to perceive the area as hazardous.
How to us cucumbers to ward off wasps
All you need to do is cut a cucumber into thin rounds, and then lay them on a sheet of tin foil when the shiny side facing upwards.
Position the sheet on a windowsill, close to a picnic table or on the lawn, then swap out the cucumbers once they’ve dried up.
Your home, along with any picnics or barbecues, should remain wasp-free, allowing you to relish your summer without the fear of getting stung.