Wasps gathering around the base of a tree ..... sap related?

From doing some reading it appears that wasps will collect around a tree if some sap is present or dripping from a tree or if there are aphids secreting honeydew (I can't see any aphids though).

There is no nest, I've looked very thoroughly at the base of the tree and there are no holes that they are crawling in and out of.

I'd say there are about 50 wasps.

There are also a lot of flies and a few other random insects.

Both wasps and flies are milling around the ground at the base of the tree, on the lower trunk and lower branches too (up to about 3 feet from the ground.

I've no idea what type of tree it is.

The wasps aren't being a bother, I can get within a few inches of them without any problems (unless one gets inquisitive and lands on me) but I have very inquisitive dogs which I can't really keep away from the tree (unless I fence it off) - I'm curious if there is a way to put the wasps off visiting the tree. Spray it with something that they won't like perhaps? Which raises the question - what do wasps NOT like the smell or taste of?

I don't really want to kill them unless it's necessary (and even then I'd be wary of using any chemicals because of my dogs).

 

Insects are always so interesting. Wasps get a poor press but they do a lot of good. They love caterpillars so cabbage growers should find them helpful. They often nest in one of our sheds and we leave the alone. This week they are high up in the roof soffit so ladder up and added powder to try to kill them. Just outside bedroom window. They have to go.

The only thing I would suggest it to put some form of barrier in place. I use Pig netting for all sorts of things and this type of barrier would keep your hounds at bay.

 

Thanks, seems like we're on the same page.

I would though like to spray the area with something safe that would deter them from feeding on the sap (or whatever it is).