Dryer sheets in mailboxes should be left alone. Here’s why - masslive.com

Dryer sheets in mailboxes is a tactic that should not alarm residents. In fact, it was placed there on purpose by postal workers.

Wasps often build nests inside mailboxes and disturbing these “Satanic creatures,” as one anonymous Reddit user claiming to be a letter carrier put it, can lead to painful stings.

To deter these unwelcome residents, United States Postal Service (USPS) workers will sometimes place strongly scented dryer sheets in mailboxes.

The idea is that the potent fragrances particularly natural orders like mint, citronella, and lavender can keep wasps from setting up its home, according to This Old House.

“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,” the Reddit user wrote.

However, some say that the dryer sheets may not be effective enough.

“It’s a bit like using a garden hose to put out a forest fire,” Hawx Smart Pest Control wrote. “It works to an extent, but it’s not the best tool for the job.”

Dryer sheets have been found to be a more effective replellant against fungus gnats, but overall, it might be best to save the dryer sheets for laundry day.

“Dryer sheets offer some minor relief from bugs, but they’re not a silver bullet,” Hawx Smart Pest Control said. “The scientific evidence is mixed for most types of pests, and while they might have some minor repellent properties, they aren’t a substitute for more robust solutions.”

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