Place Dryer Sheets In Your Mailbox, Here’s Why – Why There Might Be A Dryer Sheet Inside Your Mailbox Already
Some people have been finding dryer sheets inside of their mailboxes. Others intentionally put these sheets in their mailbox. Why are they putting them there? Although it seems like an underground message or prank, the surprisingly simple reason was revealed on Reddit. Learn why people across the U.S. put dryer sheets in their mailboxes.
Who Is Placing Dryer Sheets In Mailboxes?
Throughout the country, people have reported seeing a dryer sheet in their mailbox. Some warily removed it, only to find that it was a regular dryer sheet. Others left it as is.
These dryer sheets have raised many questions. Who was putting it there? Was it some strange prank for the internet?
They Appear At The Same Time Every Year
Oddly, the dryer sheets would only appear during certain months. In most places, the dryer sheets popped up in mailboxes during May and June.
Whoever is putting dryer sheets in mailboxes only does it during spring, at least in the U.S. But what reason could they possibly have? Why didn't they appear during winter?
The Answer Appeared On Reddit, Of All Places
To many peoples' surprise, the answer appeared on Reddit in April 2021. There, user u/istrx13 posted on the "You Should Know" subreddit. The subreddit shares facts and tips that people "should know" to improve their lives.
Some of the advice includes "Sikh temples can provide a free meal" and "Yellowstone is not 'overdue' for an eruption." But this post was a little different.
Apparently, Postal Workers Put Them There
The user's post was titled, "YSK (You should know) if you randomly see a dryer sheet in the back of your mailbox, your mail carrier put it there for a reason."
That's right. Postmen are putting dryer sheets in mailboxes for some reason. As you might have guessed, this caught a lot of peoples' attention.
Why They Put It There
According to the user, mailmen put dryer sheets in mailboxes to deter yellowjackets and wasps. These insects usually become active in spring when the weather warms, and they build nests in mailboxes.
"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 user wrote.
Was The Post Fake?
The post quickly garnered attention, gaining over 59,000 upvotes and 1,400 comments. But the attention also attracted skepticism.
Although the poster introduced himself with "Letter Carrier here," many questioned whether he was a real mailman. Other postal workers claimed that they did not do this and doubted that it would work.
He Revealed Himself On TODAY
A few weeks after the post went live, the user was contacted by TODAY. As it turns out, he was a real postman--Chris Strickley.
Strickley has worked in the postal service for six years. Five years ago, he moved from Oregon to Idaho. There, he discovered the dryer sheet hack.
At First, Strickley Was Also Confused
During his first year on the job, Strickley was also confused by the dryer sheet phenomenon. "I began to see dryer sheets in people's mailboxes at the start of spring," he recalled.
"At first, I was confused but just left them in there." But later, he discovered something when he returned to the post office.
But All Of His Coworkers Were Using Dryer Sheets
Later in his shift, Strickley realized that "my supervisor had a box of them on their desk." His coworkers were taking some sheets as they passed by the desk.
That was when Strickley asked his supervisor about the sheets. "[I] found out they are a good deterrent for wasps and yellowjackets," he told TODAY. "Ever since then, they're a normal part of my spring and summer."
Wasps Are A Huge Issue For Postal Workers
Wasps and yellowjackets are a dangerous issue for postal workers. Because of the dark mailbox and tiny nests, many do not see the insects.
"I can't tell you how many times, especially during this part of the year, where I’ve opened up a box to see a little nest with 3-5 Yellowjackets just chillin'," Strickley wrote on Reddit.
Strickley Had Been Stung Multiple Times
On his original Reddit post, Strickley claimed that yellowjackets and wasps frequently injure postmen. "If I'm really unlucky, they will have made their nest at the very back of the box so I wind up sticking my hand in not knowing they are there," he wrote.
"Last year alone, I was stung ten times on ten separate occasions." These stings can remain swollen for a week.
Why Does This Trick Work?
Strickley claimed that wasps and yellowjackets "hate scented dryer sheets." Postal workers put these sheets in mailboxes to prevent insects from entering.
Many dryer sheets are scented with essential oils like lavender and Moroccan oils. Most contain various chemicals that can be unhealthy for people with asthma, but only if you use them for clothes.
How You Can Do It
When asked what kind of dryer sheets he uses, Strickley explained that the brand doesn't matter. "The scent seems to be what deters them. So any scented dryer sheet should suffice!" he wrote.
You should also replace the dryer sheet occasionally. When the sheet loses its scent, swap it out, said Strickley.
It Won't Work If Insects Are Already In There
Strickley emphasized that the dryer sheet hack is a "preventative measure." If a wasp nest is already in the mailbox, putting a dryer sheet in won't work (and could also get you stung).
"I've never tried when there’s a huge nest so I have no idea if it would work," Strickley wrote. Put the sheet in before insects invade your mailbox.
This Is Not An Official Postmen Rule
Although Strickley's supervisor provided dryer sheets, this is not an official rule. A spokesperson for the U.S. Postal Service told TODAY that not everyone does this.
"The social media post you are referring to is not a specific instruction or directive from the Postal Service," they explained. But they do have other insect-related guidelines.
Postal Workers Might Warn You About A Nest
According to the U.S. Postal Service spokesperson, postal workers are required to report insect nests inside of mailboxes. They also must report the nest to their supervisor, who will try to contact the homeowner to get the nest removed.
In his post, Strickley said that he will tape a note to the homeowner's door to warn them. But not every employee will do that.
What To Do If Wasps Are In Your Mailbox
If you find insects in your mailbox, attach a note on top of it. Postal workers are trained to check the inside before reaching in, but it might be too dark to see the nest.
Contact your landlord immediately, or if you are the owner, call pest control. Do not try to remove the nest yourself.
But The Postal Service Does Have Preventative Measures
Although the Postal Service does not provide dryer sheets, they have guidelines to prevent insect stings. For instance, postal workers cannot wear perfume or shaving cream with scents that might attract insects.
Sweetened foods and drinks can attract bees, so the Postal Service warns against those. They also permit employees to use insecticide as needed.
Why Do Insects Enter The Mailbox?
Wasps and yellowjackets will build their nests just about anywhere, as long as it has a sturdy base and some protection for their young. Many people find nests on their overhangs and porches.
Insects might choose the mailbox because it is shaded, sheltered, and unwavering. If you see a lot of insects swarming your mailbox, they might be making a nest.
Don't Take The Sheets Out Of The Mailbox
In his Reddit post, Strickley advised people not to remove the dryer sheet if they find one in their mailbox. Know that postmen put them in as a precaution.
"I've had to put dryer sheets in a few different boxes on my route and the customers have been removing them," he said in a comment. "So I just wanted to make a PSA."
How Do Dryer Sheets Work If Other Scents Are Banned?
The Postal Service discourages "flowery" scents that attract bees and wasps. If these scents attract insects, why do dryer sheets repel them?
Dryer sheets have a variety of scents, many of which come from chemicals, which might make them different. However, this confusion has led some experts to doubt Strickley's life hack.
Does The Dryer Sheet Hack Work?
Entomologist Sonja L. Swiger told TODAY that there have been no studies about dryer sheets and insects. Beyond anecdotes, there is no proof that scented dryer sheets repel insects.
Although Sonja said that the hack is possibly effective, she also stated, "The science does not add up and it would seem that if this was a viable option there would be more discussion on it."
Some Scientists Say That It Could Backfire
Dr. Qing-He Zhang, the Director of Research at Sterling International, believes that the dryer sheet hack might not work. In fact, it could even attract insects.
Zhang claimed that insects might enjoy the "flower-like" smell. "[It is] highly unlikely that yellowjackets would be repelled by the perfume-y smell of the dryer sheets," he wrote in a 2013 blog post.
But There Is Also Some Evidence For It
Despite Zhang's claim, there is some evidence to support the dryer sheet hack. In 2013, a study in Pest Management Science discovered that a combination of essential oils deterred yellowjackets.
This particular combination was rosemary, geranium, lemongrass, and clove. A similar scent might keep yellowjackets away, as Strickley had claimed.
Despite What Strickley Said, The Brand Might Matter
When WUSA9 News caught wind of the post, they reached out to David Mizejewski with the Naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation. He was skeptical of Strickley's advice.
"There are many brands of dryer sheets and surely they're not all made with the exact same ingredients," Mizejewski said. "What ingredients in a dryer sheet would have a repellent effect? Why haven’t pest control companies capitalized on this ingredient?"
This Is Not The First Time People Used This Hack
Strickley is not the only person to bring up the dryer sheet hack on social media. In 2019, Facebook user Staci Hoppes posted a photo of a dryer sheet in her mailbox for a similar reason.
Instead of repelling wasps, she said that the sheets ward off ants. She told TODAY that is has worked for ants, but she hasn't tested it on other insects.
