Gardening expert warns people not to follow viral TikTok trend of using petrol to get rid of wasps

The experts are warning Britons that this dangerous method could result in nasty stings from angry wasps and can harm precious wildlife.

Safer ways to deter wasps from entering the home include using strong scents and calling in professionals to deal with any nests.

Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “Wasps play a vital role in keeping a garden flourishing, as they help with pollination and reduce the number of pests such as caterpillars from eating plants.

“We understand for many it can be slightly frightening to see black and yellow in their home and immediately think about the pain of being stung.

“But we urge everyone not to just think of themselves, but also about the wildlife.

“If there are wasps surrounding your home, either leave them alone if they cause no bother or follow safer and more humane ways of removing them.”

Here are safer ways to deter wasps from entering your home from GardeningExpress.co.uk:

Use scents
Having certain scents where the wasps may enter will help deter them. Scents such as peppermint and lemongrass are recommended as they can discourage wasps from building nests. An essential oil diffuser by the window helps keep them at bay.

Look out for food
Make sure to look out for any fallen fruit or litter around the outside of your home as the wasps may decide where to nest based on the sweet, sugary scent.

Seal potential entry points
Take the time to spot any potential entry points where wasps can enter your home, especially the rooms that may be nearer to a nest and have them sealed.

Install window netting
Having netting in place stops the wasps from coming inside and potentially stinging you. This will also help keep other bugs from coming inside such as mosquitos and flies.

Have herbs on the windowsill
If you like to grow your own herbs at home, basil and thyme can be useful in deterring wasps. This way you don’t need to have the window shut all day.

Don’t aggravate them
Wasps will only sting if they feel threatened. Keep a safe distance from them, don’t poke their hive and wear red when walking nearby as they can’t see the colour.

Call in the professionals
If you find a wasp nest, handling it on your own can be a dangerous job. Having a pest controller can make the situation safer for everyone involved without any hassle.

For more advice on keeping safe in the garden, please visit https://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk/