I'm the Queen of Clean and my 5p hack stops wasps & hornets attacking you in your garden – they get ‘dizzy' & fly away

The Sun

18-07-2025

WASPS pose a menace to many this summer - however, a cleaning whizz has suggested not only a surprising but also affordable way to fend them away.
Whilst wasps are great for flowers, they can be a real nuisance - especially when you're trying to enjoy a lovely brunch or dinner in the garden.
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Luckily, one expert, Lynsey Crombie - also known as the Queen of Clean - has come to the rescue with a wallet-friendly hack to keep the pesky pests at bay.
According to the guru, who shared the trick with This Morning viewers, the solution is simple - and all you need are two common household items and some water.
Dropping the knowledge bombs to Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, Lynsey revealed how to use copper coins to deter annoying wasps and flies.
Chatting to the ITV presenters, Lynsey said: ''All you need to do is get yourself a recycled jar of water and put copper coins in.
''For the bins, you can hang bags of water with the copper coins in.''
For best results, it's advised to use something more durable and clear, such as a sandwich bag, she noted.
While some may think the hack is some form of ''witchcraft'', the explanation is actually quite simple.
The expert went on: ''So, things like flies and hornets, when they look at that, especially when it's hanging, they go dizzy - it's like they're drunk.
''They go a bit dippy and they turn around from your food, from your bin and it does work.''
The expert - who's shared plenty of hacks for the summer season - emphasised that silver coins, such as 50p, won't work.
''It has to be copper. If you're dining outside, do that.''
Don't have any spare change? There are heaps of other hacks to try this season.
Previously, pest control expert Adam Juson from Merlin Environmental explained how using essential oils can put a stop to wasps entering your garden.
He said: 'Citronella is a classic repellent and comes from lemongrass. It's most commonly added to candles which can be lit during al fresco meal times to boost the atmosphere and deter wasps.
Tips for keeping pests from your garden
Plant companion plants such as peppermint to repel rats.
Place Garden Netting Pest Barrier, over your flowerbeds.
Fill open-top containers with beer and place in soil to repel slugs.
Spray plants with Neem Oil, to repel ants, flies, and spiders.
Dust your flowerbeds with Diatomaceous Earth.
Mix 1 tablespoon dish soap, 10 drops peppermint oil, and 4 cups water and spray on flowerbeds.
Place eggshells around your plants to protect from slugs and snails.
'Tea tree is another scent that wasps hate but you might struggle to find a tea tree candle. Instead, place bowls of tea tree and water around your outside area and along your dinner table.
' Basil and garlic are two other scents that will naturally deter wasps. So consider placing pots of basil along your BBQ table.
"When it comes to garlic, you could either plan a garlic-infused spread or add to water and spray in areas that you don't want wasps to be attracted to.'
There's also a trick that's sure to become a hit if you love your morning coffee.
To ensure that wasps leave your garden alone this summer, all you'll need to do is simply put some coffee powder in a fire-proof bowl and light it until the granules glow.
Adam explained: 'The burning coffee powder gives off smoke and scent that wasps can't stand.
'Don't worry about using fresh coffee - if you have a coffee machine, leftover grounds work just as well.
'Remember that the coffee grounds will get very hot so keep them out of reach of little ones! On the topic of smoke, almost all smoke will disturb wasps which means incense sticks are a great addition to your outside gathering. Plus, they smell great too!'