Wasps completely ruined my sunny garden weekend, so I spoke to pest control experts, and they gave me 5 tips on fixing the problem

A swarm of wasps on a green background
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Even the most extreme wildlife lovers will find it hard to warm to wasps. They are the most unappealing of all the pollinators. Even though, like bees they are essential at maintaining natural ecosystems in organic gardens, and like bees, they have a sting in their tail, as a society, we are yet to hear rallying cries of "save the wasps!".

I count myself as among the majority who really dislike wasps. They seem to me unnecessarily aggressive and are lacking the fashionable marketing of their cute and cuddly, hardworking counterparts.

Anti-Mosquito Eucalyptus Gum Tree
Anti-Mosquito Eucalyptus Gum Tree: was £29.99 now £19.99 at gardeningexpress.co.uk

Its signature menthol aroma is thought to repel a variety of insects, including mosquitoes and gnats. They can be trained and clipped into attractive shapes.

Adam Juson, co-founder of commercial pest control company Merlin Environmental
Adam Juson

Adam has over a decade of experience in the pest control business and is the Co-Founder of commercial pest control company Merlin Environmental, who offer nationwide pest control services and treatments.

Teresa Conway
Deputy editor on Homebuilding & Renovating

Teresa was part of a team that launched Easy Gardens in 2018 and worked as the Editor on this magazine. She has extensive experience writing and editing content on gardens and landscaping on brands such as Homes & Gardens, Country Homes & Interiors and Living Etc magazine. She has developed close working relationships with top landscape architects and leading industry experts, and has been exposed to an array of rich content and expertise.

In 2020 Teresa bought her first home. She and her partner worked alongside architects and builders to transform the downstairs area of her two bedroom Victorian house in north London into a usable space for her family. Along the way she learned the stresses, woes and joys of home renovation, and is now looking to her next project, landscaping the back garden.