Managing Paper Wasps with Grease

Last year’s paper wasp nest. The narrow shape is the result of the narrow building space. The still-capped cells are probably where grubs did not emerge, killed by parasites or by winter.

Every year in late spring wasps build a paper nest under my shed door overhang. This wouldn’t be an issue if their nest wasn’t in a well-used spot by this door, but they get aggressive when I open the door and brush against their home. Not wanting to get stung, I usually spray them on the nest with something toxic.

But this year, desiring to be greener, I went proactive.

In late winter, before the wasps arrived, I rubbed a layer of automotive grease onto the wood where they would normally affix their nest. Since then, as I write this on Memorial Day, paper wasps have built nests in all their usual sites around my place, but not on the greasy overhang. I have watched them investigate the site but not land on the grease. And they don’t recognize me as the responsible party, so I can be quite near, opening the door, without alienating them.

The grease itself, in this sheltered location, will probably last decades, but its surface may collect dust and gradually firm up enough to entice nest construction again. So I plan on renewing this grease patch next year, which just takes a moment. Since this seems to be a successful preventive, I’m also going to expand the experiment to other waspy locations around the house to encourage nest building elsewhere.

If you wish to try this, I recommend automotive grease, which is still available in the cardboard tubes at farm supply stores, and for a couple dollars you can own a lifetime supply of anti-wasp grease. You don’t need a grease gun, just pull off the plastic cap, which is replaceable. (The metal pull tab on the other end is not replaceable.)

I think this grease program will prove to be a way to reduce the need for a toxic substance around the home and in the environment, replacing it with something quite benign. And by applying the grease in the winter, you don’t risk confronting critters who can get pretty confrontational.