Why People In Wisconsin Are Now Finding Dryer Sheets In Their Mailbox

They say expecting the unexpected is best since life is inherently unpredictable. Plus, experts say that accepting that things won't always go as planned can help lead to greater flexibility, adaptability, and a more spontaneous approach to life.

However, sometimes seeing unexpected things pop up in our lives can be very unnerving, especially when it involves our home. If something appeared on my property, I'd want to know who put it there and what their motive was.

This time of year, that scenario is playing out at people's homes in Wisconsin, and while it's likely to initially raise suspicion, there is a good and logical reason for what is going on.  

Dryer Sheets Could Now Be Found In Wisconsin Mailboxes

If you go out to your mailbox and discover a dryer sheet has been placed inside, don't panic. It's not a prank, and you're not being marked for criminal activity.

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The enclosed space and protected location of a mailbox make it a tempting spot for wasps and other stinging insects to build their nests, and once they move in, it could create a dangerous situation as their stings are painful and, in some cases, cause severe allergic reactions.

That's why it's not uncommon for mail carriers to place dryer sheets in mailboxes, as they could protect themselves from being attacked by these stinging insects when they open a mailbox that contains a nest.

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Placing dryer sheets in mailboxes reportedly helps to deter wasps and other stinging insects from building nests inside because of the strong scent of the dryer sheet, particularly if it contains linalool, a natural insect repellent.

If your mail carrier hasn't put a dryer sheet in your mailbox already, perhaps you could do it for their sakes and yours, because you never want a surprise swarm of hornets coming at you as they try to protect their nests.

While there is no 100% scientific proof that this is guaranteed to work, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence, and the rationale behind doing this is sound. Plus, it's always better to be safe than sorry.