Many gardeners and homeowners like to explore various ways they can fight against wasps in their garden. Many commercial products are available to kill wasps, many of which can simply be found in your cupboards. So let’s consider one: Does WD40 kill wasps?
Yes, WD40 does kill wasps. WD40 can also be used to prevent wasps from building wasps.
There are various commercial products available that are targeted towards killing wasps. WD40 might not have wasp killer listed on the side of the can but many people swear by using WD40 to kill wasps.
It is important to ensure to wear protective gear when using WD40 as it is quite powerful and can harm bare skin.
Why Does WD40 Kill Wasps?
WD40 is a fluid that people use to protect metal against rust. This liquid works by penetrating the metal and lubricating it. WD40 is also used to remove grease and grime from surfaces.
So why can WD40 kill wasps then? All insects, including wasps, have small openings on their bodies called spiracles. These openings allow the insects to breathe by absorbing oxygen and releasing CO2.
This is where WD40 comes in. This liquid will kill wasps as it enters the spiracles and blocks them. As a result, no air passes. WD40 has been manufactured to target small holes specifically.
WD40 will also foam when it interacts with the hot temperature of the wasp. This smothers the lungs and suffocates the wasps until they die.
Even if the wasp does not suffocate, it will die of poisoning. WD40 is poisonous once it has entered the system. The poison can have a greater effect on wasps in some cases than suffocation.
How to Use WD40 to Kill Wasps?
Wasps are territorial insects, and unless you tackle the nests, you will not be able to get rid of them completely. There are a few steps you need to follow to kill wasps using WD40 successfully:
- The first thing you should do is remove remnants of any old nests. Wasps like to return to the same nesting locations after they wake from hibernation. It would help to discard old wasp nests you may find in your home.
- Next, you must spray the same location with some WD40. You need to be thorough during your application to avoid leaving room for wasps behind. You can extend your spraying to gutters and any cracks where wasps could build their nests.
- You may have existing wasp nests which are active. You can use WD40 to get rid of any active wasp nests. The best time to do this is in the evening. When the temperature is cool, wasps do not move quickly. You must ensure that you soak the wasp nest entirely, so the fluid reaches every wasp.
- After you have soaked the wasp nest, you must wait for an hour to ensure that all the wasps are dead. When you are sure that the wasp nest is inactive, you can knock it down with the help of a long tool or a broom. Next, you must get rid of the nest by putting it inside a plastic bag and discarding it.
During this entire process, it is important to take precautions. WD40 is a strong chemical and can have implications if it comes into contact with your skin and, more especially, your eyes.
Reconsider Using WD40
You only have to look at the extensive list of ingredients and warnings on the packaging to know that WD40 won’t do any good to anything it touches. It can harm you. It can harm other wildlife. It can harm, the environment. It might, therefore, be worth reconsidering its use.
What Are Some Precautions to Take When Using WD40?
WD40 is a strong chemical, so it is important to take precautions before you proceed to use it against wasps.
The first thing you should do is wear protective gear to ensure that your skin does not contact the chemical. This will also ensure that you do not get stung by any wasps.
As important it is to protect the skin, you must take precautions for the eyes. You must wear some safety goggles.
Summary
Many commercially available products work against wasps. One surprising way to kill wasps is by using WD40, a lubricant. This fluid is effective against wasps as it suffocates them to death.
Using this fluid, you need to clear out any old wasp nests using a broom. Next, you can use this fluid in cracks and crevices and any place where wasps may build their nests. If you have an existing wasp nest, you can soak it in WD40. You need to wait for at least an hour for all the wasps to die.
It is important to wear protective gear and get help from a friend as it is a dangerous procedure.
Ryan is a keen gardener from the UK who’s spent years dealing with countless, common pests over the years so knows the ins and outs of how to deal with pests in the garden
