April is the key time to act against wasps, and a gardening guru says a simple household item could help keep them away from your home and garden this spring. It’s key to stopping nests forming
11:33, 14 Apr 2026Updated 12:56, 14 Apr 2026
You can stop wasps from nesting (stock image)(Image: O2O Creative via Getty Images)
Nobody wants wasps invading their home or garden, so people are constantly seeking straightforward methods to deter these pests. But now is the critical time to stay alert in your outdoor space, as April represents the crucial period when they begin nesting.
Queen wasps actively build new nests in April following their emergence from hibernation. These early nests are typically small — often roughly the size of a golf ball, and they’re generally found in protected spots such as lofts, eaves, sheds or wall cavities.
Worker wasps don’t normally take charge until May or June, but you certainly don’t want to be dealing with an infestation in your garden several months from now. So it’s wise to take action immediately if you’re keen to keep wasps out of your garden.
To assist people, gardening guru Ish, known as Gardening With Ish on TikTok, has recently offered some useful guidance. As it happens, you only require one simple item to ward them off.
Ish outlined what people should know in a post online. You might be astonished to discover how the most unexpected item can repel them.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Ish said: “If you want to prevent wasps from making a nest in your home, your shed, your garage or even your garden then this is going to blow your mind. All I’ve got is a plastic bag and some string.
“What we do is we take the plastic bag and we just start folding the top amongst itself into one corner. As you can see, I’ve got a nice little point there.
“I’ll make a little nib at the top, and I’ll tie around some string. What I’m actually doing here is making a fake wasps’ nest, because wasps are incredibly territorial, hence why they can feel a little bit aggressive when they’re around you.
“But, if I hang this, and let it move a little bit, they’ll think there’s another wasps’ nest nearby. They won’t invade or go near the space. In fact, they’ll stay away, and spring time is a really good time to do this.
“So something like this in your shed, or even in a tree in your garden, means they’ll stay away. Now it doesn’t mean they’re going to stop making nests. They’ll make it further away.
“It just means they are not going to be so aggressive on your deck, on your patio, in your sheds and garages, and sometimes that can be the best thing.”
Why should you do this?
According to Ish, this is a brilliant technique owing to its numerous benefits. Using this method encourages wasps to seek out a more suitable spot elsewhere to set up home on a permanent basis.
In the meantime, they’ll still be able to pop into your garden to pollinate. However, this stops them from descending upon it as an entire swarm.
In the clip, Ish uses a bin bag to do the job, adding that other bags can work just as well. Who would have thought a humble bin bag could prove so useful?
What you might not realise is that crafting a decoy wasps’ nest is widely regarded as a highly effective method of deterring territorial wasps. By fashioning something that resembles an occupied nest, you’ll persuade them to seek out alternative locations.
Now is an ideal time to hang them from trees or position them near porches. While they may not ward off every species, they are widely considered to be remarkably effective.
Comments are closed.