Wasps & Herbs

Herbs

• A herb is a seed-producing annual, biennial or perennial. The plant dies down at the end of the growing season and it does not develop wood, which means that it cannot be a tree or shrub. The flowers and scents attract an abundance of wildlife, such as dragonflies and lady bugs.

Wasps

• A wasp is an insect of the order Hymenoptera. Many wasps parasitize on pest insects, and wasps are used as natural biocontrol to help reduce the number of prey on crops. Wasps use their ovipositor or stinger to lay eggs directly into the body of the host and the eggs inside the host insect kill the pest. Most wasps have two pair of wings, little or no hair and the female wasps have a stinger. Wasps form colonies inside large nests that they build hanging from trees, bushes or buildings. However, some wasps live in nests underground. Adult wasps feed on nectar, but many species are predatory and they use other insects or scavenge dead insects to feed their larvae. Wasps may also feed on fallen fruits.

Herbs that Attracts Wasps

• Using plants to attract more wasps is a natural form of insecticide that will reduce the need to spray your plants with chemicals. Rely on the hardiness zone to determine which herbs that may be planted to attract wasps to your property. The licorice smell of fennel attracts both parasitic and predatory wasps. Fennel is fast growing and the yellow flowers have a sweet smell that attracts wasps. Predatory wasps may sting humans but as long as their nest is not disturbed, they tend to leave humans alone. Some predatory wasps, such as yellow jackets and hornets, nest underground. The small white flowers of caraway attract parasitic wasps that lay eggs on caterpillars of beetles.

Herbs that Deter Wasps

• Wasps may be beneficial but sometimes they can be a problem, or you may prefer to deter wasps from certain areas of the garden. Mint has a strong smell that may deter wasps, it is invasive so grow your mint plant in a pot. Mint can be grown in a shady part of the garden or patio. The tropical citronella grass has a strong scent that may deter wasps from nesting in your garden. Planting wormwood and lemongrass is also useful to deter wasps.