USPS worker reveals why some mail carriers are leaving DRYER SHEETS sheets in mailboxes, explaining that wasps seem to HATE the scent and won’t build their nests inside
- The mail carrier warned that if you see a dryer sheet in the back of your mailbox, ‘your mail carrier put it there for a reason’ — and you shouldn’t remove it
- Wasps and Yellowjackets build nests inside mailboxes during this time of year, which can mean painful stings for mail carriers
- Some mail carriers have found that bees don’t seem to like scented dryer sheets
- Homeowners who want to help can put their own dryer sheets in the back of mailboxes, but it should only be used as a preventative measure
A mail carrier for the USPS has revealed why some people might mysteriously find dryer sheets tucked into their mailboxes.
The mail carrier, who posted anonymously on Reddit last month, warned that ‘if you randomly see a dryer sheet in the back of your mailbox, your mail carrier put it there for a reason’ — and you shouldn’t remove it.
He went on to explain that bees — including Yellowjackets and wasps — like to make their homes in mailboxes, but scented dryer sheets have been known to ward them off, which can keep mail carriers from getting stung.
Bzzz! A mail carrier for the USPS has revealed that people might find dryer sheets in their mailboxes to ward off bees
‘We’re almost to the month of May which means nice weather, hanging out outside, school closing for the summer, and the return of those dastardly devils: Yellowjackets and Wasps,’ the USPS worker wrote.
‘This time of the year wasps and Yellowjackets (especially Yellowjackets) like to make nests inside of mailboxes. In a lot of places this time of the year, it’s just beginning to warm up outside, but it’s still fairly cold at night. So mailboxes provide nice, easy shelter for them.’
For mail carriers who quickly stuff letters into mailboxes, this can mean a world of pain.
‘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,’ they went on.
Last year alone, they were stung 10 times on 10 separate occasions.
Luckily, mail carriers have found that the bees ‘hate scented dryer sheets,’ so some have taken to stuffing them in mailboxes that they suspect will become bees’ nests.
‘If we encounter a box that is a problem for nests, we’ll often put one in there and it does the trick,’ they said. ‘So please, if you one day randomly see a dryer sheet at the back of your mailbox, just know that your carrier more than likely put it there to deter these Satanic creatures from building their home in it.’
For those that want to help their mail carriers out by putting their own dryer sheets in their mailboxes, the Redditor said that all that matters is that they are scented.
‘This should only be used as a preventative measure,’ they added. ‘I’ve never tried when there’s a huge nest so I have no idea if it would work.’
‘As far as when to replace them, just check it periodically to see if the scent is still strong or if it has faded. The scent, once again, is what drives them away. So if the scent isn’t as strong or it has completely faded, it’s time to replace it,’ they concluded.