Ah, summertime—a beloved season for many, promising warmth, lush greenery, and hopefully, abundant sunshine.
However, while I concur that summer carries few drawbacks, if granted divine authority, there are one or two nuisances I’d eliminate.
Before you protest, I acknowledge the ecological importance of wasps. No, I wouldn’t contemplate their extinction due to personal dread. Nevertheless, let’s admit, they can disrupt a barbecue, garden party, or, in my case, incite panic like no other.
Fortunately, I’m not in a profession that regularly brings me face-to-face with wasps, hornets, or their kin. Spare a thought, then, for mail carriers.
A recent Reddit post shed light on the challenges mail carriers encounter with wasps. Yellowjackets, it seems, find mailboxes particularly appealing for nesting.
According to the post, mailboxes offer an ideal habitat for wasps: sheltered, secluded, and warm—a trifecta for these creatures.
This wouldn’t be an issue if it weren’t for the fact that someone must interact with these mailboxes regularly. As the Reddit post detailed, mail carriers often find themselves facing stings when reaching into boxes to deliver mail, unaware of the unwelcome occupants.
A hazard of the job, you argue? True, but it needn’t be so.
A simple yet effective solution exists: scented dryer sheets.
The fragrance of these sheets repels wasps, deterring them from nesting in mailboxes.
Here’s how to implement it:
- Choose a scented dryer sheet, preferably with a potent fragrance.
- Affix the sheet inside your mailbox using tape.
- Remember to replace the sheet periodically to maintain its efficacy.
There you have it! Share this advice to assist our industrious mail carriers this summer.
