Deter wasps naturally — this fragrant plant is my secret weapon for keeping pests away from my yard
What had started as a peaceful gathering suddenly turns into a frenzied battle against against the pests, who don't have any sense of what is socially acceptable.
If this sounds familiar, and you're fed up with wasps invading your outside space in the summer, snacking at your food, and sipping your sugary drinks, there are natural methods you can follow to get rid of wasps to stop you heading back indoors.
Rather than using sprays and unnatural baits that can harm the pests, you can employ this natural method, which offers benefits beyond deterring wasps.
While wasps drive us to distraction, Liam Cleary, outdoor plants expert at Old Railway Line Garden Centre, says there is one common garden plant that will stop the pests spoiling our fun, and it will also save you from spending out on expensive pest control.
According to Clearly, planting lavender is a simple and affordable solution that looks great and keeps wasps from hanging around your garden. 'Wasps are highly sensitive to strong scents, and lavender is one they really don't like. Planting it near seating areas, doorways, or patios can help mask the smells that attract them, like food, sugary drinks, or perfumes,' he says.
Lavender is also the perfect plant for dry conditions, as it's drought-resistant and can tolerate hot, dry summers that we're currently experiencing.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
This Felco bypass pruner is perfect for medium-sized hands and comes with a comfortable ergonomic handle. It has a sturdy design, yet is lightweight and gives a consistent performance. What's more, this pruner is given a 5-star rating in our best pruning shears buying guide.
Lavender contains essential oils such as linalool and camphor, which give it its distinctive floral scent. While it's pleasant to humans — and pollinators like bees and butterflies — it's overwhelming to wasps, which rely heavily on scent to detect food.
What's more, lavender is also one of the scents that repels mosquitoes and keeps them out of your home — it's a multi-tasking pest deterrent.
Apart from its capacity to repel wasps, lavender is also one of the easiest and most rewarding plants to grow. I have several lavender bushes in my backyard, which are planted in pots and flowerbeds, planted singularly and grouped together to form low hedging.
What's more, lavender is an inexpensive plant to buy, and if you're not looking for an instant result, you can grow it from seed. A packet of English Lavender seeds from PowerGrow Systems costs $2 at Amazon. Alternatively, you can purchase a 4-pack of lavender at Amazon for $24.
Cleary is a fan, and says, 'It's low maintenance, smells incredible, and keeps your garden feeling calm, all while helping you enjoy a wasp-free zone.'
Lavender will do best if grown in certain conditions, so to help it stay healthy and thrive, Cleary recommends following these four expert tips.
1. Choose a sunny spot
Lavender loves full sun and well-drained soil, so avoid shaded or damp areas. 2. Go for pots or raised planters
These make it easier to move the plants where needed, and work brilliantly on patios or balconies.
3. Don't overwater
Lavender is drought-tolerant and prefers slightly dry conditions. Overwatering can cause it to wilt or rot.
4. Pair it with other natural deterrents
If you're prone to wasp visits, try planting lavender alongside mint, thyme, or lemongrass for an extra layer of protection.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Elle
an hour ago
- Elle
Prime Day Is Here—Amazon's Top 8 Hair Dryers to Shop Now
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. We may not have a real-life genie to grant us all our heart's desires, but we do have Amazon, the behemoth we turn to when we want to satisfy our impulses. Looking for a new nail drill or UV lamp for at-home manicures? Amazon can turn your bedroom into a makeshift salon. Or maybe you need to reduce the appearance of your keratosis pilaris ahead of a beach trip. We found the best formulas for you. So, of course, when searching for the best hair dryers on the market, there's no need to look high and low when Amazon has pages of options ready for fast shipping to your home. Sometimes, the best hair dryers aren't the most-hyped ones you see on your timeline, though Dyson is a clear standout; it's the dryers that fly under the radar that are worth the investment, ones that offer multiple styling options with included attachments (Shark, we're looking at you), a slew of heat and speed settings, and features that streamline your hair drying process altogether. Not all strands are made equally, which means finding a suitable hair dryer requires more thoughtful consideration outside of aesthetics. We scoured everyone's favorite retailer to find the top 10 hair dryers worth every coin, for every hair type. Your arms deserve a break—here's its reprieve. Voluminous blowouts will never go out of style, so you need a durable drying system that'll last through the years and all of your impulsive hair choices. The SpeedStyle is—yes, you guessed it—a fast-drying tool with four heat and three airflow settings for a fully customizable experience. Best for: Straight or wavy hair Attachments: Concentrator, brush, finisher Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars An Amazon reviewer said: 'My hair dried twice as fast without crazy hot heat! It's very quiet too! The tools are a bonus. Nice instruction booklet on how to use this product. Why did I wait so long to purchase!!' TikTok likely made you want to buy this—and for good reason. This brush dryer cuts your drying time in half, drying and straightening hair in one step. The round brush design adds volume and bounce to hair without needing extra tools. Best for: All hair types Attachments: None Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars An Amazon reviewer said: 'I hated waiting for my hair to dry to style my hair; it took forever. I'm a stylist, and blow drying your own hair is not easy . This makes my life so easy , so simple, my hair becomes so soft and silky. Easy to use and doesn't overheat. Now I can easily do my hair even with two kids.' For on-the-go use or when you simply want to rest your arms, slip this hooded dryer onto your traditional version and adjust the straps on your head for a snug fit. It fits most handheld dryers and has ventilation holes for seamless, consistent airflow. Since this doesn't push heat directly on the hair but rather through a long tunnel to the hooded attachment, it's a godsend for natural hair looking to limit heat contact. Best for: Natural or curly hair Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars An Amazon reviewer said: 'Quick and easy to use. I attached it my hand hair dryer and the ease of it. I love it's not bulky. Something you can carry along in your luggage. I highly recommend it if you're looking for something that is more durable and puts out great heat.' If we're talking best-in-class, Dyson stands out amongst the crowd. The thousands of reviews touting its impressive results—and gorgeous 'after' clips we see on TikTok—prove its price tag is worth the investment. At its core, Dyson is every bit a hair dryer that dispenses a jolt of air for fast-drying hair sessions. Other attachments include a diffuser, flyaway, concentrator, gentle air, and a wide-tooth comb to cater to all textures and lengths. Attachments: Diffuser, flyaway, concentrator, gentle air, wide-tooth comb Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars An Amazon reviewer said: 'I had a good hairdryer, at least I thought so…SuperSonic cut dry time in half. It doesn't get your hair super hot like ordinary hairdryers; therefore, it doesn't damage your hair as much. It was like going from a Corolla to a Ferrari! I highly recommend it! Best purchase ever!' No matter the style you aim to achieve, the Tymo dryer has a powerful jet, four heat, and three speed settings to choose from, and it makes low noise for late-night stylers. Attachments: Comb, diffuser, concentrator Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars An Amazon reviewer said: 'Love my Tymo hairdryer. Dries my hair in less time and no frizz. The magnetic attachments are awesome. No more having to stop to replace it because it detached during drying my hair.' This dryer rests comfortably in your hands so you can work through the various settings your hair needs to flourish. There are three heat and three speed settings to control frizz, reduce heat damage, and add shine. Best for: Long hair Attachments: Concentrator An Amazon reviewer said: 'Satisfied with performance of this blow dryer. It's much quieter than my old dryer. Has 3 heat settings and 2 air delivery options. And has a super long, 9 foot cord. Weight of the dryer is just right.' Take it old school with this bonnet hair dryer, which rests on a leveled surface to give you a hands-free dry. Because of its bonnet style, your hair is treated to even, consistent airflow and two heat settings. Attachments: None Amazon rating: 4.4.5 stars An Amazon reviewer said: 'This is great. Dries fast and is comfortable to use. Love it.' Be the head of your own salon right in the comfort of your home. This towering hooded dryer can roll to whatever room you'd like and extend to various heights. Best for: All hair types Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars An Amazon reviewer said: 'Being a low maintenance and inept hair stylist, this dryer allows me to replicate my beautician's finished look. I also love the option of reading while drying my hair :)!' The Best Heated Round Brushes for the Hair of Your Dreams The Best Hair Bonnets for a Luxurious Sleep The Best Scalp Oils for Healthier, Fuller Hair The Best Curly Hair Brushes to Smooth Frizz and Combat Tangles As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty commerce editor Nerisha Penrose pored over dozens of customer reviews to find the best hair dryers on Amazon.
New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
Some of Our Favorite Cleaning and Organizing Picks Are on Sale for Prime Day
$225 $160 from Amazon What we like: Our budget pick for the best carpet cleaner. Performed nearly as well as our top pick, beating all contenders on cleaning red wine. Less than half the price of our top pick. Other things to know: Lagged behind our top pick in cleaning chocolate ice cream and caramel syrup, and left carpet damper and less refreshed. Lighter weight, but looks and feels clunkier. Noisier than our top pick. Read more: The Best Carpet Cleaners $120 $82 from Amazon What we like: Our top portable carpet and upholstery cleaner pick. Light and reliable, with good cleaning power. Useful if you have pets or young kids. Completely removed wine and chocolate stains with handheld suction brush, hot tap water, and cleaning formula. Other things to know: A bit clunky, and its hose is rigid. Tanks have an awkward design that makes them tough to clean. Designed to tackle small areas only. One-year warranty is shorter than competition. Read more: The Best Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner What we like: Our budget upright vacuum pick. Reliable, effective, and easy to use. Smooth and light handling. Works well on hard floors and low-pile carpet. Requires very little maintenance and has essentially no recurring costs. The pod detaches for the cleaning of upholstery, steps, and ceilings. Other things to know: Former top pick, now budget pick. Struggles with larger debris and thick carpet. Five-year limited warranty only covers the motor. We've seen reports of the brush roll failing prematurely. Read more: The Best Upright and Canister Vacuums $500 $300 from Amazon What we like: Our top carpet cleaner pick. Easy to operate and comfortable to maneuver. Tackled common household stains better and left carpet drier and more refreshed than competitors. Four useful cleaning modes. Helpfully high-tech design includes voice prompts. Other things to know: It's loud, heavy, and a bit leaky. Optional Wi-Fi connectivity allows for control via app (but they didn't work well in our testing). It's easy to mix up buttons and pedals. Has seen a massive street price increase since it first became our pick. Read more: The Best Carpet Cleaners What we like: Our pick for the best steam mop for large spaces. Has a double-sided mop pad and hands-free, quick-change system, so there's no need to touch the pad. Lightweight. Emits steam continuously, and you can manually spray steam when needed. Other things to know: Pricey. Handles with less finesse than our top pick. Tank isn't detachable. Stiff. Doesn't stand up on its own. Comes with mop head, two dirt grip pads, and a fill flask. Read more: The Best Steam Mops $9 $6 from The Container Store What we like: The best sleek pant hanger for closet organizing. Slim to maximize space. PVC nonslip coating keeps your pants in place, but the simple, open design allows you slip pants on and off easily. Hanging pants in your closet can free up space in a dresser, and clothes will have significantly fewer wrinkles. Other things to know: The thinner bar may cause some creasing. Choose store pickup to avoid shipping fees. Could be a nice opportunity to stock up if you're seeking pant hangers. Read more: Closet Organizing Ideas What we like: Our top hanging closet organizer pick. Meant to help you store bulky items and take advantage of vertical space. Sturdy hanging cubbies resist sagging. Hooks are more stable than those of competitors we've tested thanks to the wide base on the triangular hooks. Other things to know: Hanging organizers of this type tend to gather dust. Comes in two colors. Deal for the six-compartment organizer. Select store pickup to avoid shipping fees. Read more: Closet Organizing Ideas $30 $23 from The Container Store What we like: Our top under-sink organizer pick for small bathrooms and kitchens. Doesn't tip over like other organizers. Tall-but-narrow construction fits around bulky plumbing. More durable overall than others we tested, and fit taller items better than the competition. Other things to know: No assembly required. Has four eyelet holes for screwing into the bottom of a cabinet for added stability. Opt for store pickup to avoid shipping fees. Read more: The Best Gear for Small Apartments $140 $120 from Amazon What we like: Our smaller and more portable pick for the best shop vac (or wet dry vac). Can be used with DeWalt 20-volt battery or plugged into outlet. 36 minutes of charge on portable battery, longer than all other picks. Hose stretches to about five feet. Other things to know: Lacks the suction power of our other picks. Intended for smaller messes. Does not come with battery or charger. This vac makes the most sense if you already have some other tools (and batteries) in the DeWalt 20-volt line up. Read more: The Best Shop Vacs (or Wet Dry Vacs) What we like: Our top pick for the best air purifier. Efficient and affordable. Delivered one of the best cleaning performances of any purifier we tested. Minimal setup and upkeep. Runs quiet and dark, with low operating costs. Perfect for bedrooms, playrooms, and living rooms. Other things to know: We recommend keeping it on the medium setting, which is quiet, energy-efficient, and effective. Accepts third-party replacement filters easily. Street price has risen over the past year, so this is not the lowest price we've seen, but still a good deal. White is typically more expensive than black, so this is a better deal for the white color. Price reflects in cart. Read more: The Best Air Purifier What I Cover Caroline Mullen is a staff writer reporting on cleaning and organizing at Wirecutter. Though she's waging a constant battle against the dog hair and dust bunnies in her apartment, she's not willing to scale back on tchotchkes to make it easier. It also takes her two to three business days to complete a load of laundry—but she's made peace with that.
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
Stop using disposable cable ties — just buy 120 of these reusable ones for $5 during Prime Day instead
Plastic cables ties are amazing for organizing your home, but absolutely terrible for the planet. Actually, single-use anything is pretty annoying, as you constantly need to replace things that have been designed to be thrown away. That's why I'm recommending that you don't pick up any more single-use plastic cable ties — because you can buy 120 reusable ones for just $5 at Amazon right now with the Prime Day deals already in action. These reusable hook and loop ties are great for cable organization at home. Wrap up long power leads, take control of your cable drawer and hide away unsightly cords in the garden or at Christmas. They're discounted right now for Prime Day, great value and better for the planet than regular single-use plastic ties. No, you're right, this discount isn't going to save a lot of money, but you get a lot of ties for less than the price of a coffee. During summer, wrap up charging cables for vacation packing, then use the same tie for Christmas lights a few months later! It's one of those things you don't really think about, until one day, a reusable tie is staring you in the face and you wonder how you ever managed to think plastic disposable ones were a good idea in the first place. For me, it was a few years ago when I got a new USB-C charging cable and it came pre-wrapped in a Velcro-like cable tie, like these. I would never have put a single-use cable tie on there, but the reusable one meant I could tidy it away with ease. This isn't a life-changing product or a seismic shift. But we can make small changes that gradually reduce our impact on the planet. Plastic cable ties often end up in landfill, where they can harm wildlife or shed microplastics into our waterways. These reusable ones (often called hook and loop zip ties) are designed to be used hundreds of times, and because its simple to open them up, and you can use them on all sorts of items from wrapping cables to creating makeshift hanging loops. In the end, it's a cable tie, much like every other cable tie, but you can use them over and over again. Better for you, better for the planet, and they're just $5 right now. Go be sustainable, my friends.
