Have you ever found a dryer sheet in your mailbox and wondered why it’s there? It might seem strange, but there’s a good reason for it.
Yellowjackets, a type of wasp common in North America, are known for building large nests to house their colonies. These pests will settle anywhere they feel safe—even inside your mailbox. Believe it or not, a Yellowjacket nest once took over the inside of a 1955 Chevrolet!
To avoid this kind of trouble, a letter carrier uses dryer sheets as a simple way to keep these stinging insects away.
Why They Use Dryer Sheets in Mailboxes
In April 2021, Chris Strickley, a letter carrier, shared an interesting reason why some postmen put dryer sheets in mailboxes. He posted on Reddit, explaining that these “Satanic creatures” —Yellowjackets—are the main reason.
He often finds nests with 3-5 Yellowjackets relaxing in mailboxes, and sometimes they even build nests at the very back. This means the letter carrier might stick their hand in without realizing they’re there, leading to stings.
Chris shared that just being near these aggressive insects is enough to make them mad, and he got stung 10 times in one year! Dryer sheets, it turns out, are used to keep these stinging creatures away from the mail. (ref)
Strickley’s post went viral, and in an interview with TODAY, he shared that he came up with the idea of using dryer sheets during his first year on the job. He noticed his supervisor had a box of dryer sheets, and other carriers were taking them. That’s when he learned the trick and has used it every spring and summer since. (ref)
Additional Tips for Using Dryer Sheets in Mailboxes
Strickley explains that it doesn’t matter which brand or scent of dryer sheet you use, as long as it is scented. The scent itself is what deters Yellowjackets. Any scented dryer sheet should work fine.
However, this method is only for prevention. If there’s already a large nest, it likely won’t help. In such cases, Strickley suggests leaving a note for the customer, asking them to remove the nest before deliveries can continue. Once the nest is gone, placing a dryer sheet in the mailbox can help prevent new ones from forming.
To know when to replace the dryer sheet, check it regularly. If the scent fades or disappears, it’s time for a new one to keep the Yellowjackets away.
Comments from other Reddit posters said, “Can confirm. I’ve worked in restaurants all throughout California and those bastards love brazenly getting into the guests’ plates, especially if they smell salmon. We learned long ago to put a few dryer sheets under the tablecloths on the patio.”
Why Do Yellowjackets Love Mailboxes?
Yellowjackets are naturally drawn to anything that smells sweet or resembles food. They love open cups or cans of soda and other sugary drinks. They’re also attracted to open garbage cans, especially if they’re not clean or covered. (ref)
Your mailbox might seem like a small, dark cave to a Yellowjacket—a perfect spot to hide or build a nest, especially if it’s undisturbed. If you add nearby attractions like overripe fruit in your garden or open trash bins, you might find even more of these insects hanging around.
Please bear in mind that while dryer sheets are seen as effective, some are allergic to them (whether it’s the postal carrier or the recipient). In such cases, it’s best to explore alternative ways to deter pests, like using natural repellents or keeping mailboxes clean and dry.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.