A gardening expert, who shares tips on TikTok, has revealed the clever method to deter wasps from building nests as queen wasps emerge from hibernation in AprilKatie-Ann Gupwell and Georgia Burns Trainee Trends, Showbiz and Lifestyle Writer
21:07, 14 Apr 2026
The Queen wasp begins to build new nests in April as they emerge from hibernation(Image: fatido via Getty Images)
Nobody wants wasps taking over their home or garden, so people are constantly on the lookout for simple ways to keep these unwanted pests at bay. Now is the vital time to be alert in your garden, as April marks the key period when wasps begin to establish their nests.
Queen wasps emerge from hibernation in April and immediately set about building new nests. These early nests tend to be small – roughly the size of a golf ball – and are commonly found in sheltered locations such as lofts, eaves, sheds or wall cavities.
Worker wasps don’t typically take over until May or June, but the last thing you want is to be battling a full-blown infestation in your garden a few months down the line. So it is wise to act now if you’re serious about keeping wasps away from your outdoor space.
To help homeowners tackle the problem, gardening expert Ish, who goes by Gardening With Ish on TikTok, has shared some useful advice. As it turns out, you only need one straightforward household item to do the trick.
Ish set out everything people need to know in an online post and you might be surprised to learn just how effective such an unlikely item can be, the Mirror reports.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
The gardening guru stated: “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 give this a go?
You can stop wasps from nesting with something as simple as a plastic bag(Image: O2O Creative via Getty Images)
According to Ish, this clever trick offers multiple advantages. The technique prompts wasps to find a more appropriate location to establish their residence.
Meanwhile, they’ll still be able to visit your garden for pollination purposes. However, this stops them from arriving in overwhelming numbers as a full swarm.
In the video, Ish demonstrates using a bin bag for the task, noting that alternative bags work equally well. Who knew a simple bin bag could prove so handy? What many people don’t know is that creating a fake wasps’ nest is widely considered one of the most effective ways to keep territorial wasps at bay.
By making something that looks like an occupied nest, you can convince them to look elsewhere for a new home.
Now is the perfect time to hang them from trees or place them near porches. While they may not deter every species, they are broadly regarded as remarkably successful.
Comments are closed.