wasps in backyard

We have a pool in our backyard.  We think the wasps are attracted to the water, not sure but so far in the last week I have found and destroyed 3 nests.  They built one in the reel for our hose, in the gas grill, on the chain link fence.  What can we use, do to rid us of this?  Our daughter is highly allergic to the stings and that is of course a major concern.  So far we have used a wasp spray to kill them but we are looking for something that will repel them completely.

There are a few options here that can help. The first is to do a thorough spraying of the area where they're landing. The goal of the spray is to both kill any nests in the area as well as prevent new nests from forming. Wasps will detect these products and tend to stay away from where they find them applied. These sprays will last anywhere from 1-2 weeks to 1-2 months depending on the local environment such as rainfall and sunshine.

The strongest spray would be our CYPERMETHRIN. You can read about this in our WASP CONTROL ARTICLE where you'll learn it's good to spray on the home to prevent new nests as well as control existing populations. It can be sprayed directly on most everything you mentioned with the only exception being the barbecue gas grill. Expect to get 3-6 weeks of protection from a single treatment; most homes will need 1-2 gallons applied when treating.

Another product we've had good results with is our INSECT REPELLENT. This is mostly used as a paint additive and applied when painting or staining the home. But it can also be sprayed on the home. Keep in mind it's not an insecticide like the Cypermethrin so it won't kill anything. But it is highly repellent to the wasps and they'll stay away from where they detect it's presence.

In between liquid sprays you may want to keep a can of AQUACIDE AEROSOL. This is a Pyrethrin based spray which is highly repellent to wasps. Treatments won't last long; they'll be gone in a day. But this spray can kill them and it should be used to help steer them clear for a few hours when you might want to be entertaining some guests, using the barbecue or just using the pool.

Lastly, installing at least one of our FAKE WASP NESTS can help set up a territorial repellent which will alarm any new to the area that this land is taken. Wasps usually recognize other nests and won't come around where they thing some are living.

Here are direct links to the products and information posted above:

Cypermethrin:  http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page154.html

Wasp Control:  http://www.wasps.net/wasp-and-hornet-control

Insect Repellent Spray:  http://www.non-toxic-pest-control.com/repellents/nbs-repellent-insect-spray

Aquacide Aerosol:  http://www.bugspray.com/item/aquacide_aerosol.html

Fake Wasp Nest:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/traps/pheromone-and-food/waspinator-repellent-nest