What do yellow jackets hate the most?

What yellow jackets hate the most includes strong smells, certain plants, and lack of food that make area less attractive, though no single repellent provides complete protection and prevention is most effective. Smells yellow jackets hate most include peppermint oil, which is commonly cited as natural repellent with strong mint scent that yellow jackets dislike, eucalyptus oil, citronella, clove oil, lemongrass oil, and tea tree oil that have repellent properties, and vinegar, particularly white vinegar, and strong spices like cinnamon and cayenne pepper. They hate the smell of cucumber and some herbs like basil, thyme, and rosemary when planted near outdoor areas. Yellow jackets hate lack of access to food, as they are attracted to sweet foods, meats, and proteins, so keeping food covered and trash sealed makes area less attractive. They hate being sprayed with soapy water that clogs spiracles and causes suffocation, killing them quickly. They hate cold temperatures that cause inactivity and death, as they are cold blooded and become sluggish in cool weather, with only fertilized queens overwintering. To use hates to repel, you can spray diluted peppermint oil around windows and outdoor seating, plant herbs like basil and thyme, keep food and sweet drinks covered outdoors, seal trash cans, clean up spills and overripe fruits, and avoid strong perfumes. However, essential oils evaporate quickly requiring reapplication and should be used carefully around pets, and most effective prevention is removing attractants and professional nest removal.