If you have recently opened a mailbox and found a dry sheet tucked inside, it is wise to leave it there because it’s a safety measure and not a prank or laundry mistake. Dryer sheets are usually thin sheets made of polyester and are used to reduce static cling, impart a scent, and soften clothes.
Mail carriers across the country have been using dryer sheets for a surprising and smart reason that you will find out later in this article.
A Strange Sight With a Practical Purpose
Mail carriers often deal with occupational hazards, especially during the warmer months. These occupational hazards include stings from insects like bees, wasps, and hornets that build their nests inside mailboxes.
In an interview with Fox News, Matthew Taylor, a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier in Longmont, explained the problems they encounter while delivering mail. “I’ve gotten stung quite a few times. You make the best of the situation. Sometimes it really, really hurts, but the mail has got to get delivered,” Taylor said.
To avoid the stings, Taylor and other carriers have started to use dryer sheets. They place these sheets in mailboxes, and more so in cluster boxes where pests love to build their homes. The dryer sheets contain a scent that repels or chases away wasps or bees. However, the scent doesn’t harm the insects, and that means they are safe for use.
“It is the scent. It makes it seem like that is not an area where they would want to build a nest, and it chases them away, but it doesn’t harm them in any shape or form,” Taylor said.
What’s in a Dryer Sheet?
Dryer sheets usually contain pleasant scents such as mint, lavender, or citronella. All these contain a compound called linalool, which, according to experts at This Old House, is a natural pest repellent. However, dryer sheets are not a robust solution but a temporary solution. Additionally, they are only repellent to some types of pests.
Besides dryer sheets, delivery workers working for USPS in Longmont, Colorado, have been provided with insect bite relief sticks, sunscreen, and water. Those who are allergic to stings are also allowed to carry EpiPens for emergencies. EpiPens, also known as Epinephrine auto-injectors, are devices that contain epinephrine, a medicine used to treat severe allergic reactions called anaphylaxis.
Besides insects, Taylor and other carriers also have to endure heat stress, aggressive dogs, and in some areas, snakes and scorpions. “In other states like Arizona, New Mexico, they get to deal with scorpions and snakes, things like that, and I think I’ll stick with the wasps,” Taylor said.
How to Keep Your Mailbox Safe
USPS offers some tips on how to keep your mailbox safe and accessible. These tips include:
- Clearing overgrown bushes and removing obstructions around your mailbox for easy access.
- Keeping your mailbox in good physical condition.
- Avoid putting hazardous items like flammable sprays and fireworks inside. These items can endanger the lives of delivery workers.
Conclusion
Using a dryer sheet in mailboxes is a surprising yet smart reason delivery workers use to repel insects such as hornets, wasps and bees that pose danger. So, if you spot a dryer sheet in your mailbox, kindly leave it there because it is a safety measure. Additionally, to make the mailboxes safe for delivery workers, it is prudent to clear bushes around the mailbox, and ensure they are clean and in good physical conditions.