Install decoy nests to deter new colonies

What to Do

Hang fake wasp nests (paper or commercial decoys like Waspinator) under eaves and porch ceilings in early spring. Place them where wasps have nested in previous years. One decoy per area, hung before April.

Why It Works

Paper wasps are territorial and generally avoid nesting near an existing colony. Decoy nests exploit this behavior by mimicking an occupied territory. Evidence is mixed — some homeowners report good results while controlled studies show limited effectiveness.

Tips

• Crumpled brown paper bags work as a free DIY alternative
• Decoys alone won't deter yellow jackets, which nest underground
• Best used as a supplement to sealing and early-season nest removal, not as a standalone strategy