✨ WIP: Wasp Nest Decoy

JUNE 22, 2025

Decoy Wasp Nest

This is crazy and a weird crochet project to be making.

Did you know that wasps are super territorial? It turns out they’re unlikely to build a nest anywhere near an existing one. That’s the thinking behind crocheted decoy wasp nests — a quirky but potentially effective way to deter wasps from settling in your favorite outdoor spaces.

Every spring and summer, we end up with way too many wasps buzzing around our home. They return like clockwork and seem to build nests in the exact same places every year. Their favorite spots? Tucked behind the shutters on our front porch and up near the soffit (is that a thing?) on the back deck. I don’t really want to spray, because I prefer to get rid of them naturally, but I’d really like to prevent them from being there in the first place.

That’s where the decoy comes in. I’ve read that if you hang a fake wasp nest before the real wasps arrive, they might be fooled into thinking the territory is already claimed and decide to move on. But if you hang it up too late — after they’ve already staked their claim — they’ll likely ignore it. Some people even say the wasps might build inside the decoy! I don’t know what’s myth or reality, but I’m going to give it a shot.

This crochet wasp nest pattern was created by designer Emily and is available as a free pattern download on Ravelry. It’s a clever, eco-friendly project and a fun way to use up scrap yarn. The pattern suggests stuffing the nest with plastic grocery bags to give it shape (no shortage of those around here). Quick, stash-busting, and possibly pest-repelling? That’s a win-win-win. 🧶🐝

I will report back once it’s up and in place — hopefully the wasps take the hint!