Knitting a Decoy Wasp Nest to deter wasps in the garden

At the start of Spring, I began seeing a lot of wasps in my garden. I understand that all things have the right to live and understand that wasps are an integral part of the garden as they are pollinators and feast on plant pests such as aphids.

I have a few early-blooming flowers in my garden so I expect there to be a few out and about early in April, one particularly warm afternoon, while I did some yard chores, I noticed the garden was swarming with them.

Fearing a nest nearby, I decided to do what I could to prevent a Queen nesting in or around my property without resorting to insecticides or other chemicals. I decided to knit a decoy nest.

Saturday morning knitting at the kitchen table with coffee and Gardener’s World.

Not entirely sold on the efficacy of such a device, I thought it was definitely worth a try.

The pattern is called “Wasp-Away” by Robin Stephens.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wasp-away-decoy-nest

I used some wool roving from Hobbii called “Happy Wool” that I had in my wool pantry and 5mm needles and knitting a small “nest” in a couple of hours.

In situ.

I will be sure to update this post on how I feel this device is working. Check back later in the season!

4 thoughts on “Knitting a Decoy Wasp Nest to deter wasps in the garden

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  1. I’m curious to hear how you feel this worked out. Any wasps last year? It is very cute…if that can be said about a faux wasp nest. Thanks for any updates!

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  2. Hi! Thanks for your comment. So, anecdotal evidence, I think it did make a difference to how many I saw flying around, but I used the nest with a combination of preventative measures when I was sat outside, such as a citronella candle. It is important to remember though that a decoy nest wont stop the wasps altogether because, as a gardener, I certainly want them in my garden, but it is an organic way that deters them from setting up a nesting spot on my property. It probably won’t have much effect now because it has been hanging up in the same spot for a year! I should maybe move it so it looks like a new nest! haha If you can knit I would definitely recommend!

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