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You can find anti-rat sprays in most home department stores that may be worth a try. Spray them along fences and in areas where you don’t want rats to go (like around decks) and they may think twice before approaching. For a natural version, you can try a mint spray, since rats generally dislike mint. But even the most effective sprays are unlikely to stop a hungry rat over time.

No, wasps only attack when they feel threatened. A sting may seem unprovoked to us, but we likely got too close to a nest. Threatened wasps do, however, send out a strong pheromone that instantly attracts any other wasps in the area. 

The last thing you want is to fend off a swarm while on top of a fully-extended ladder. Additionally, be extremely careful when using a ladder, as falling from a tall height can result in serious injury. 

Leaving things to a pest control service in your area could be the best course of action if the nest is in an enclosed or difficult-to-reach space. If your spray doesn’t hit the right spot, is too far away, or isn’t powerful enough, you risk aggravating rather than killing all the wasps.

If a small hive is far enough from your home and doesn’t seem to pose a threat to the health of anyone, then you can opt to leave it alone. They are still pollinators; if you have a garden, they’ll tackle some gardening work for you and produce helpful results without harming you.