Nothing is more frustrating than insects eating away at your wooden furniture. If you bought teak believing it can resist pests but still see wasps nibbling on its surface, I know the struggle. Fortunately, I found several ways to prevent wasps from damaging my teak furniture.
To keep wasps away from teak furniture, you must locate their nest. Remove it to prevent more insects from causing further damage. Spray natural or chemical deterrents on the surface. And consider covering the teak wood when not in use.
Below, I’ll share other ways to keep wasps away from teak furniture. This article will also help you understand why insects may attack your prized wood pieces. Plus, I’ll teach you the types of smells that can deter wasps.
How To Keep Wasps Away From Teak Furniture?
Below are five effective ways to prevent wasps from damaging your teak furniture.
Use Natural Deterrents
One of the best methods to keep wasps away from teak furniture is spraying natural deterrents.
Mix a cup of water with a cup of white vinegar. Put the vinegar solution in a spray bottle. Then, spritz the liquid on the paper wasps damaging your wooden furniture.
Another simple yet effective wasp deterrent is bath soap. Take any soap bar and rub it on the wooden surface. You can also use liquid soap diluted with a small amount of water. This classic combination clogs the pores of wasps, causing them to perish immediately.
You can also leave a few oranges and garlic cloves near your teak outdoor furniture. Paper wasps cannot stand these pungent scents, so they are less likely to return to cause further damage.
Finally, spray a solution of peppermint oil and water on areas where wasps frequent. Or plant peppermint at various spots in your backyard.
Purchase a Commercial Wasp Killer
If you want a stronger product to remove wasps in your teak furniture, buy a commercial wasp killer.
This comes in many forms, from fast-acting insecticides and surface sprays to bug zappers and electronic repellents.
Follow the instructions on the label when using insecticides. Make sure to wear a mask to avoid inhaling the toxic chemicals. You must also cover your skin against wasp stings. The last thing you want is to get stung by wasps, which can trigger allergies.
The same precaution applies when using bug zappers or any situation that requires you to get close to wasps.
However, if you notice several wasps instead of the rare one or two bugs, having a wasp killer is likely a waste of time. That is because it cannot eliminate all the insects that damage the wood furniture.
Make a Wasp Trap
Those who are dealing with a number of wasps in their gardens may find better results with a trap.
Buy poison-free wasp traps from your local supermarket. Install them near the affected teak wood furniture.
You can also make your own wasp trap. Fill a large bottle with sweet juice or honey, which can mislead wasps into thinking it is nectar. These pesky insects will feel attracted to the contents of the bottle and eventually get trapped inside.
Cover Your Furniture
If the wasps are stubborn and too many, you can opt to cover your outdoor teak furniture when not in use.
Wrap the furniture with plastic sheets to prevent wasps from eating away at the wood.
You can also use fabric covers to protect your teak furniture from pests. They can even improve comfort by acting as cushions.
Remove the Wasp Nest
Have you tried all the methods above but still notice wasps damaging your teak furniture? The insects probably have a nest near your backyard or on the furniture itself.
Once they have established their shelter, it can be difficult to remove them. So, you must eliminate them as soon as you notice signs of their nest.
However, avoid removing wasp nests on your own. Do not poke the nest with a stick or put it on fire because you may aggravate the wasps. Always consult a professional pest controller to remove the nest safely and effectively.
Why Do Wasps Attack My Teak Furniture?
Teak is highly resistant to rot and insects due to its high natural oil content. So, you may wonder why wasps eat at your wooden furniture.
Wasps tend to touch unfinished wood surfaces. If you haven’t treated or oiled your teak furniture, you are leaving it vulnerable to curious insects.
Queen wasps also chew tiny bits of wood and use them to make a nest during the summer. Meanwhile, the worker wasps chew more wood to expand the nest. When the queen dies in the late summer, the insects become more aggressive because they no longer have nectar.
What Smell Do Wasps Hate the Most?
Wasps have a strong sense of smell. So, one way to keep them away from your teak furniture is to use scents they dislike.
They hate certain plants, such as peppermint, basil, thyme, and lemongrass. They also tend to stay away from citrus fruits, vinegar, and coffee beans.
To repel wasps, you can own the mentioned plants or use essential oils and spray them on the teak furniture. You can also dab the said ingredients to keep wasps from ruining your teak outdoor furniture.
Conclusion
Although teak is highly resistant to insects, it is susceptible to wasp attacks if the surface is unfinished. Fortunately, there are several ways to keep wasps from damaging your furniture.
You can use natural wasp deterrents, such as vinegar, soap, and peppermint. You can also buy an insect killer or make a wasp trap. If you suspect a nest near your backyard, hire a professional to remove it.
Do you have more questions about teak furniture? Feel free to visit our blog for other information about teak maintenance.
