DIY Yellowjacket Trap: A Low-Cost Solution to Protect Your Outdoor Gatherings from Yellowjackets This Summer
In the quest to maintain a thriving garden, homeowners often face the challenge of managing pests. One such pest is the yellowjacket, a black and yellow striped wasp that can be a nuisance and potentially dangerous. Kathleen Walters, a Content Editor with a background in History and Park Ranger work, is working to turn her front yard into a pollinator garden.
To effectively control yellowjackets in a garden using DIY traps, Kathleen recommends a homemade lure trap. This trap is crafted from an empty 2-liter plastic bottle, water, apple cider vinegar, a sweet attractant like grape jam or fruit juice, and liquid dish soap.
The recipe for the bait mixture is simple: 1 cup of water, ½ cup of apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon of grape jam or a splash of fruit juice, and ½ teaspoon of liquid dish soap. The bottom part of the cut 2-liter bottle is filled with this concoction. The top part of the bottle is inverted and placed like a funnel into the bottom part, allowing yellowjackets to enter but making it hard for them to escape.
The sugary sweetness of the apple cider vinegar and the jam or fruit juice attracts yellowjackets to the trap. When they enter, they have a hard time navigating back out and drown due to the liquid dish soap breaking the surface tension of the water.
It's important to place the traps away from garden seating and food areas to avoid attracting yellowjackets closer to people. The traps should be hung using garden twine, about 4 feet (1.2m.) above the ground, outside and away from the nest.
Yellowjackets should be controlled if they are near where humans, pets, and children are spending time. However, it's crucial to avoid swatting yellowjackets or trying to directly attack nests yourself, as this can increase aggression or lead to stings. For large or aggressive nests, professional removal is recommended since nests can be large, hidden, and yellowjackets can sting repeatedly.
In addition to traps, planting repellant plants that yellowjackets dislike (but bees like) and using peppermint oil sprays can help deter yellowjackets naturally without killing them. These methods complement the effectiveness of the trap.
In summary, DIY traps are an effective, safe primary control method for managing yellowjackets in your garden. They use sweet liquid bait in a homemade bottle trap, combined with placement strategies and repellant plants to minimize yellowjacket presence. For large or aggressive nests, professional help is advised.
It's essential to remember that yellowjackets are beneficial insects in the ecosystem, feeding on other insects and breaking down decaying animal carcasses. Therefore, it's never safe to drown a yellowjacket nest, spray a nest with insecticides, or spray them while they are airborne. Attempting to set a yellowjacket nest on fire may be illegal and is incredibly dangerous.
Kathleen Walters finds inspiration for her gardening projects at places like the Huffman Prairie, where she can explore native plants. By using these DIY traps and other natural deterrents, gardeners can enjoy their outdoor spaces while minimising the presence of these sometimes pesky insects.
Kathleen Walters' front yard transformation into a pollinator garden includes implementing DIY yellowjacket traps to maintain a balanced lifestyle and home-and-garden environment. The traps, made from an empty 2-liter bottle, water, apple cider vinegar, a sweet attractant like grape jam or fruit juice, and liquid dish soap, are designed to attract and trap yellowjackets, eliminating their nuisance without harming beneficial insects.
