waspWasps, yellow jackets and hornets build their nests close to a water source. This is a problem for many hot tub and pool owners. As fall approaches, hornets and wasps become very aggressive. Enjoying your hot tub can be difficult with stinging insects buzzing around your head, luckily there are things you can do to eliminate this problem.
Wasps and hornets spend their lives collecting water and food and bringing it back to the nest. During most of the spring and summer you’ll hardly notice them (unless a nest is nearby). It isn’t until August and September that the worker wasps become aggressive. At this point their little lives are drawing to an end and they are making a last ditch effort to find food before the cold weather finishes them off. This is when you’re at the highest risk of being stung.
Prevention
The best method for dealing with wasps is prevention. If you can prevent them from taking up residence or congregating in an area that you use, you may both live in peace.
Create a Barrier: Wasps are attracted to hot tubs because they are a water source. Prevent the wasps from accessing your hot tub water by using a Floating Hot Tub Blanket. These blankets lay on top of the water, insulating by eliminating evaporation and blocking debris and insects from accessing the water.
Repel Wasps: Wasps are repelled by certain smells such as eucalyptus and mint. Prevent wasps from being attracted to your hot tub by using a Eucalyptus or Mint scented hot tub aromatherapy fragrance.

Wasp & Hornet Traps
Traps which contain attractant vials are highly effective at trapping and drowning wasps and hornets, and do not attract honey bees. By adding a few drops of dish soap to the water chamber, the wasps will not be able to float on top of the water and will drown. You’ll need to replace the attractant vial about once every 1-2 weeks, and dump the dead wasps out every other day or so.
These traps create a diversion and help reduce or eliminate the wasps frequenting your hot tub.