You open your mailbox and spot something unexpected: a brightly colored dryer sheet tucked in the back corner.
Before you toss it—stop!
That little sheet isn’t litter. It’s a kind, clever warning from your mail carrier to protect both you and them from a hidden summer danger: wasp nests.
🐝 Why Wasps Love Mailboxes
Mailboxes are the perfect wasp real estate:
Sheltered from rain and wind
Dark and enclosed—ideal for nesting
Warm at night when temperatures drop
Undisturbed—most people rarely check inside
Yellowjackets and paper wasps often build nests in the back corners of mailboxes—completely invisible until it’s too late.
⚠️ A Real Danger for Mail Carriers
Imagine reaching into a dark box multiple times a day—only to get stung by angry wasps hiding inside.
One mail carrier shared on Reddit that they were stung 10 times in one summer just delivering mail. For those with allergies—even mild ones—this can be dangerous.
📬 Your mailbox might look empty… but it could be a hive.
💡 The Simple, Scented Solution: Dryer Sheets:
