Summer Sunshine… and Swarming Insects

Living on a small farm, I’ve never seen so many bees, mosquitoes, and flies. But wasps are the ones I try hardest to avoid—they sting, and I’m mildly allergic. Naturally, your friendly neighborhood mail carrier also wants to stay clear of these stingers.

Why Wasps Love Mailboxes

According to a Reddit post from a mail carrier, wasps—especially yellowjackets—often build nests inside mailboxes. Mailboxes offer a cozy, safe, and sheltered space. Even when daytime temperatures soar, evenings can still be chilly. Wasps find the mailbox interior the perfect refuge.

A Hidden Danger for Mail Carriers

The mail carrier explained a serious risk. Multiple wasps can linger at the back of a mailbox without anyone noticing. When carriers reach in to deliver mail, the wasps often sting. This carrier reported being stung ten times in a single summer while on duty.

A Simple Trick to Keep Wasps Away

Thankfully, there’s an easy preventative trick. Mail carriers discovered that wasps strongly dislike the scent of dryer sheets. Placing a scented dryer sheet in the back of a mailbox discourages wasps from nesting there.

If you spot a dryer sheet in your mailbox, leave it in place—it’s working to protect your mail carrier. However, this works best as a preventative measure; an existing nest likely won’t be stopped by a dryer sheet. Make sure the sheet smells strong, and replace it once the scent fades.

Protect Mail Carriers

With a simple dryer sheet, we can help keep hardworking mail carriers safe from stings.