Have you recently seen a random dryer sheet in your mailbox? Don’t be alarmed. It turns out there is a very good reason for it to be there!
With summer in full swing, we are going to enjoy poolside drinks, catch some sun, and bring out the BBQ. Everyone is ready for the relaxing vibes, and you probably can’t wait to join them! But, guess who else will be joining the party this warm season? Bugs- the flying, stinging kind. According to one Reddit user and mail carrier, a dryer sheet in your mailbox will keep them away!
Every season comes with its own drawbacks, and summer has a few as well. The main one- wasps and yellowjackets. These pesky critters leave painful stings and tend to build their nests wherever they can. Unfortunately, prime real-estate for them is your neat and warm mailbox. Postmen and women have been trying to avoid opening up mailboxes full of wasp nests, but sometimes it does happen. And frequently too! Thankfully, there is a way to combat those pests and their nests.
A Dryer Sheet in your Mailbox does the Trick
Reddit user u/istrx13 says placing a dryer sheet in your mailbox is a well-known method they use in the postal service. Imagine reaching your unguarded hand into a mailbox, only to be met with wasp stingers! Ouch! A simple dryer sheet can prevent on-the-job injuries like was and yellowjacket stings.
“I can’t tell you how many times, especially during this part of the year, where I’ve opened up a box to see a little nest with 3-5 Yellowjackets just chillin’. If I’m really unlucky, they will have made their nest at the very back of the box, so I wind up sticking my hand in, not knowing they are there. Last year alone, I was stung 10 times on 10 separate occasions.“
There isn’t a specific brand or type you should use. Almost any kind will do as long as they are scented. In fact, most flying insects will deter away from highly scented fragrances, like citronella, eucalyptus, and oregano. Likewise, dryer sheets use a specific type of chemical for their scents, and wasps and yellowjackets simply detest it. Lavender, cotton, fresh breeze- whatever scent you choose, it will work as long as the fragrance is strong.