How To Get Rid Of Wasps When Eating Outside: Protect Your Pub & Restaurant

Wasps may make great pollinators and they even eat smaller pest insects, but they’re never good news for pubs and restaurants.

What little good weather we get here in the UK usually signals the busiest time of year for pubs and restaurants with outdoor areas. Whether it’s a small courtyard for those sipping on a fruity cider or a luxurious decking area for diners, you can’t afford to let wasps ruin the atmosphere.

Any business with a reputation for problems with pests, such as wasps, will likely see a drop in trade, so why not read our essential guide on how to get rid of wasps in your outdoor area? With our expertise and knowledge at Pest Defence, you can make sure your summer trade goes smoothly.

How to stop wasps from coming near you when eating

No one wants to be bugged by buzzing insects while trying to eat. Wasps have a reputation for being aggressive when it comes to food, so you’ll rightly want to try and stop them from getting near your customers who may be eating. Here are a few tips to follow:

• Keep food covered – By placing a lid or cover over food until it’s being eaten, you can lower the risk of wasps being attracted to the area by the smell.
• Secure your bins – Likewise, keep any bins closed and sealed to prevent the food scraps from attracting wasps to the property in the first place.
• Set a few traps – You can create traps that draw wasps away if you feel like you’re under siege.
• Clear away empty plates – Be prompt with your service to clear tables, helping to remove any potential food scraps and deter wasps.
• Avoid bright plants – Bright colours, especially within plants and flowers, will naturally attract wasps, so avoid these to minimise the chances of catching a wasp’s attention.

How to keep wasps away from a bar

If wasps are more of an issue because you have an outdoor bar area, there are several measures you can take to help make your space less attractive to them:

• Seal liquids – As with food, some liquids may attract wasps, so keep tops on bottles and seal any cocktail mixtures. When not in use, they should be kept in a fridge or cupboard.
• Install fans – Not only can fans keep your staff – and the drinks – cool, but they could also put some wasps off, as they won’t like the strong gusts of air.
• Keep things clean – Spilled liquids make a sticky, sweet welcome for waps, so make sure your bar area gets cleaned and wiped regularly, including your floor area behind the bar.
• Utilise smells – There are some smells that wasps don’t like (take a look at our next section) so consider using them to your advantage by placing them around your bar area.

What smells do wasps hate?

You’ll need to try for yourself to find what is most effective for keeping wasps away, but here are some smells that have been known to act as natural deterrents:

• Peppermint oil – A small amount of this mixed with water in a spray bottle can be used to mist your outdoor area and put wasps off without also annoying your patrons.
• Citronella candles – Light a few citronella candles and this fresh, zesty scent will help mask any food and drink smells for wasps and other insects.
• Grow mint plants – Wasps don’t like the smell of fresh mint, so consider growing this in your outdoor area, whether directly in the ground or along hanging plant boxes. Other strong herbs, such as thyme, could also be used here.

Additional ways to ward off wasps

You can also ward off wasps with professional pest control services. If you believe you have a wasp nest on the property of your pub or restaurant, don’t put yourself or your customers at risk by trying to remove it yourself. Call our expert team at Pest Defence to deal with wasp nest removal safely and efficiently — we’ll make sure your summer trade goes on uninterrupted.

If you don’t have an outdoor area but are finding wasps causing havoc in numbers inside your building, it’s important to make sure you’re sealing off entry points. This can include gaps around your windows, doors and walls. 

Proper waste management is also another worthwhile investment if you want to prevent pests like wasps from visiting you in a frenzy. With bins sealed and emptied regularly, there will be fewer scraps and liquid waste for them to hunt down through the summer months.

As qualified, discreet pest controllers for Essex and London – including throughout Colchester, Chelmsford and Brentwood – you can count on us to tackle any insect pest issues this summer. From wasp nest removal to products and advice that protect your business from flies, we’re here to help.

Call now and speak to our friendly team about any pest problems in your pub or restaurant.