Summer brings sunshine, blooming flowers, warm weather — and unfortunately, a surge in insects. Living on a small farm, I’ve seen firsthand just how intense the bee, mosquito, and fly population can get. Wasps, in particular, are the ones I’m most cautious around, especially since I have a mild allergy. And if wasps make me nervous, you can imagine how stressful they can be for your local mail carrier.
Why Wasps Are Attracted to Mailboxes
Mail carriers have shared that wasps — especially aggressive yellowjackets — love building nests inside mailboxes. During hot days and cooler evenings, mailboxes offer the perfect sheltered space: dry, enclosed, and undisturbed. That makes them an ideal nesting spot for stinging insects looking for a secure home.
A Hidden Risk for Mail Delivery Workers
The real danger comes when mail carriers unknowingly reach into mailboxes that have become insect hideouts. Often, multiple wasps can be lurking at the back, unseen. When the mailbox is opened, they become defensive — and that can lead to painful stings. One mail carrier even shared that they were stung multiple times over a single summer while delivering mail.
The Simple Dryer Sheet Trick That Repels Wasps
To reduce this risk, some mail carriers use a surprisingly simple solution: dryer sheets. Wasps strongly dislike the scent, so placing a scented dryer sheet in the back of a mailbox can help prevent them from nesting there. If you ever notice a dryer sheet inside your mailbox, it’s likely there as a protective measure — and it’s best to leave it in place.
It’s important to note that dryer sheets work best as a preventative tool. They won’t remove an existing nest, but they can help stop wasps from settling in the first place. If the scent fades over time, replacing the sheet with a fresh, strongly scented one can keep the protection active.
A small action like this can make a big difference in keeping mail carriers safe during peak insect season. So if you spot a dryer sheet in your mailbox this summer, now you know — it’s a clever, low-cost trick to help prevent painful stings and protect the people who deliver your mail every day.
