Brits have been seeing swarms of wasps in the summer heatwave
Plenty of us might have been enjoying the early summer heatwave of the last few weeks, but we’re not the only species that’s been thriving in the heat. According to pest control company Rentokil, calls to the company concerning wasps has increased 248% in June 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
According to Rentokil, this is due to the warmer weather providing ‘favourable conditions for wasps to thrive’. With a higher volume of nests popping up and the insects treading further afield, they’re more likely to run into us humans, and therefore more likely to sting, [via Express Online].
Especially if you’re trying to enjoy some food in the sun, these pests can really get up in your face and ruin the vibe. However, there are sprays available that can be used to deter the critters, or at least help to stop them from stinging.
RepellShield Wasp Repellent Spray
Infused with clove and lemongrass essential oils, this plant-based spray naturally repels wasps without the use of unwanted nasties.
One such remedy at Amazon is a best seller, with it receiving hundreds of five-star reviews. RepellShield Wasp Repellent Spray is pet friendly, non-toxic, and lemon scented to provide a non-intrusive barrier against wasps and other flying insects, with it costing £12.99.
It works by spraying any area of the home that you find is a hotspot for wasps, and a layer can last up to two or three days according to the German manufacturer. However, for best results it’s worth reapplying immediately after any rainfall.
Rentokil also provides a few other tips to avoid getting stung by wasps this summer. “Avoid strong, sweet smells such as highly perfumed fragrances, shampoos, or hair sprays, and steer clear of bright, bold floral clothing, which can attract wasps. Also, avoid orchards, soft fruit plants, and uncovered bins, where wasps are often found searching for food,” they say.
If you’d rather exterminate wasps as they appear rather than deter them, Amazon sells a dual-pack of Raid Rapid Action Fly and Wasp killer for £9.65. Rentokil also sells a wasp killer powder, which is available for £6.90.
Reviews of the RepellShield Wasp Repellent Spray are full of positive experiences with one reviewer writing: “I had a wasp problem every year (and even a nestng problem one year) and this little bottle of spray seems to have entirely fixed the issue. Not a single wasp since I first sprayed it round my window frame.”
Another success story comes from this reviewer who writes: “We have a plastic garden storage shed. I noticed when I opened it in spring that a wasp queen was constructing a nest. I moved the nest and ordered this product. It came next day while the wasp was still floating around the shed. Once I gave it a good dose it never came again.”
Meanwhile, a third customer says: “I was plagued with wasps earlier in the year. I hate the little buggies but wanted to try a deterrent rather than killing them. This works. Sprayed in in my shed where they were trying to nest and they disappeared overnight. Also sprayed my door frames and porch roof. Not had a wasp inside all year since.”
The spray doesn’t work for everyone, though. “Unfortunately this didn’t appear to work on the wasps where I live, maybe they enjoyed the smell. Spraying around a window barrier to try and stop them didn’t work as they continued to come into the room,” writes one disappointed shopper.
Another adds: “Smells really nice due to natural oils. Did work to some extent, but did not get rid of the wasps. It did what it is supposed to do & that is repelling the wasps.”