Have you ever thought about how a dryer sheet ended up in your mailbox? As it turns out, there is a reason for this. The trick is similar to one used by postal workers to protect themselves from wasps! Who would have guessed this was a real thing? The dangers of yellow jacket or wasp stings are a real annoyance for many postal workers.
These hardworking employees spend their days putting their hands and arms into a variety of outdoor boxes, which can be prime real estate for wasps looking to build a nest. As a result, if a mail carrier sticks their hand into the wrong post box, it could be disastrous. Fortunately, it appears that there is a solution to this problem, and one mail carrier took to Reddit to share the dryer sheet solution.
They stated in the post: “I can’t tell you how many times, especially during this time of year, I’ve opened a box to find a little nest with three to five yellow jackets just chillin [sic]. If I’m really unlucky, they’ll have made their nest at the very back of the box, and I’ll end up sticking my hand in without realizing it… Finally, I’ll get to my point. We discovered that they despise scented dryer sheets.
If we come across a box that is a breeding ground for nests, we’ll often put one in there and it solves the problem. So, if you find a dryer sheet at the back of your mailbox, know that it was most likely placed there by your carrier to deter these Satanic creatures from making a home in it.” Surprisingly, there were many other Redditors who agreed in the comments section. In fact, it appears that the general consensus is that dryer sheets are effective wasp repellents.
Some people mentioned that some restaurants will hide them beneath the tablecloths in their outdoor dining areas to keep them away. Furthermore, some people have mentioned using them as a lining in their pot plants to keep all bugs at bay and encourage healthy plant growth. Of course, the OP stated that they should only be used as a preventive measure rather than a solution to an existing problem. According to the OP, if a wasp or yellow jacket nest is discovered inside a mailbox, it should be removed by a professional.