Most of us know cloves for that warm, spicy scent in holiday baking, but did you know they’re also a secret weapon for your backyard? It turns out that wasps and other pesky bugs absolutely hate the smell. If you’re looking for a natural way to keep your patio or balcony bug-free, clove oil is a fantastic DIY remedy. Here’s the lowdown on how to use it.
The Power of Cloves
Those little brown dried buds are packed with a punchy, spicy aroma thanks to a high concentration of essential oils. In the world of natural wellness, cloves have been used for ages to help with pain relief and as a natural disinfectant.
Why Bugs Hate Them
It’s only recently that gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts have started buzzing about cloves as an insect repellent. Wasps, in particular, are super sensitive to the intense, spicy scent of clove oil. Once they get a whiff of those essential oils, they usually decide your patio isn’t the place to be and head the other way.
How to Use Cloves to Keep Wasps Away
Since cloves are a natural deterrent, they make a great eco-friendly alternative to harsh chemical sprays. There are a few easy ways to set up a “no-fly zone” around your outdoor seating area:
- Combine dried whole cloves with citrus fruits.
- Use clove essential oil in a diffuser or oil burner.
The Citrus and Clove Trick
Dried cloves work even better when you pair them with other scents that wasps dislike. Citrus fruits like lemons or limes are perfect for this. Just slice a lemon in half, poke a handful of whole cloves into the flesh, and set it on your outdoor table. This “double whammy” of scents is a classic trick for keeping the peace during a backyard BBQ.
Using Clove Oil
If you want something a bit more low-maintenance, clove essential oil is incredibly handy. You can add a few drops to a traditional oil burner or an ultrasonic diffuser. The mist spreads the scent molecules through the air, creating a fragrant barrier that bugs find offensive.
Another pro-tip? You can actually rub a little clove oil directly onto your outdoor furniture. Wooden furniture is especially good at soaking up the scent and slowly releasing it over time. Don’t worry—a little oil won’t hurt the wood, but it will keep the wasps at bay!
A Quick Reality Check
While cloves are a great natural tool for your gardening toolkit, they aren’t a magic wand. If you’re hosting a big party with lots of sugary sodas and sweet treats sitting out, the lure of the sugar might occasionally outweigh the smell of the cloves. It’s always best to keep your food covered, but adding some clove scent to the mix will definitely give you the upper hand!
