5 things you'll need to keep wasps away from your home

No one wants them hanging around their house or cottage.

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While a lot of people are ambivalent about bees, beloved pollinators that they are, their wasp cousins are usually another matter – NOBODY wants them near their homes, and everyone is fearful of their sting. We’re here to help you manage the threat, with these five suggested things.

4 Pack Wasp Nest Decoy

Wasp Decoy Amazon

Amazon.ca

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When it comes to bug control here at Shop The Weather, we reach first for deterrence before extermination, so we’ll start with these decoys from Bbymie. Wasps are territorial and avoid other colonies, so often the sight of these replica nests will be enough to convince them to keep away. They’re easy to hang, and inexpensive.

Other features:

  • Made of durable paper, similar in size to real-life wasp nests

  • Pack of four, with two colour options

  • Rated 4.2 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on more than 100 reviews

CAROSE Wasp Trap

Wasp Trap Amazon

Amazon.ca

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If deterrence doesn’t work, trapping is always an option. This variety, from Carose, is an economical pick, and attractive for its simplicity and lack of need for pesticides. All you need is water, trapping glue, and sugar or some other attractant, and the labyrinthine design will keep any interested bugs from flying out again. But, keep in mind before you buy: it is also effective against bees, at a time when they still remain under pressure, so consider other remedies first.

Other features:

  • Can be washed and reused over multiple seasons

  • Also effective against hornets and yellowjackets

  • Rated 4 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on more than 150 reviews


Like what you see? Check out our Shop the Weather articles for more must-have product recommendations.


The Executioner Bug Zapper

Wasp zapper Amazon

Amazon.ca

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A bug zapper is always a good remedy, not to mention satisfying, and we typically recommend the rechargeable option from Zap-It. However, customer reviews suggested that, while it worked a real treat against mosquitos, its overlaid mesh was less useful against larger insects like wasps. This alternative, while unsubtle in its marketing, is reported to be more effective due to its design by those who bought it from Amazon.ca, though we recommend it with some caveats (see below).

Other features:

  • Requires two AA batteries (not included)

  • Ships from the U.S., so expect delivery to take a bit longer than normal

  • Rated 4.4 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on more than 13,000 reviews

MUST READ: 5 things you’ll need to keep your patio bug-free

Raid Wasp and Hornet Killer Spray

Raid Wasp Spray Amazon

Amazon.ca

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You might call this the nuclear opton. Users who bought it from Amazon.ca report this powerful spray is very effective on wasps and their nests, particularly when used at dusk, when the insects are more sluggish. As with other products on this list, it would also have a devastating impact on beneficial bees, so be careful where you spray.

Other Features:

  • Also effective against paper wasps, yellow jackets, mud daubers and others

  • Sprays up to 18 feet

  • Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on more than 500 reviews

Bug Bite Thing Suction Tool

Suction tool Amazon

Amazon.ca

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Sometimes, you don’t get the bugs, the bugs get you. Wasp stings are not fun, but one way to relieve them is to use this suction tool from Bug Bite Thing, designed to suck out the toxins from the bite or sting. For bee stings, they even had the foresight to include a pair of scrapers on the side, the better to scrape the stinger out before trying to extract the venom. Just the kind of neat, practical, multifunctional design we like here at Shop The Weather.

Other Features:

  • Pack of one

  • Includes keychain hole

  • Rated 3.9 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on almost 50,000 reviews


Like what you see? Check out our Shop the Weather articles for more must-have product recommendations.


Our trusted Product Specialists recommend high-quality items that we think will enhance your experience with Canadian weather conditions. Prices and availability of items are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Thumbnail image Unsplash/Dan KB