Omari Gates
Wasp traps are an effective way to keep wasps at bay, especially if you're allergic or enjoy spending time outdoors. While commercial wasp repellent sprays and traps are available, homemade wasp traps are easy to make and can be just as effective. To make a wasp trap, you'll need a plastic bottle, an enticing food source such as meat or sugary substances, and a liquid mixture containing soap or vinegar to drown the wasps. The traps should be placed outdoors near areas of wasp activity and can be hung in sunny spots or near trees and shrubs. By understanding the behaviour and preferences of wasps, you can create an efficient wasp trap that suits your specific needs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Trap Type | Bottle |
| Trap Location | Outdoors, near areas of wasp activity, near trees and shrubs, or near the house |
| Trap Height | 1-2 meters |
| Trap Placement | Hang or place on a flat surface |
| Trap Maintenance | Check and clean regularly, rebait at least once a week |
| Bait Type | Sugary substances, meat, or vinegar |
| Bait Timing | Spring to early summer: protein sources; Late summer to fall: sugary liquids |
| Additional Ingredients | Dish soap, apple cider vinegar, yeast |
| Trap Markings | Use a permanent marker to draw a line near the neck of the bottle |
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What You'll Learn
Lure wasps with meat or sugar water
Luring wasps with meat or sugar water is an effective way to trap them. In spring, when wasps are looking for protein to feed their young, meat is the best bait. A small piece of raw lunch meat, hamburger, or pork is ideal. Stapling or nailing the meat to the bottom of a board is a good way to present this bait, as the wasps will fly off the meat and into a container filled with a soapy solution.
In summer and fall, however, wasps are seeking sweets. Sugar water is an excellent bait during these seasons. A few inches of sugar water in a bottle will attract wasps. To make the trap even more enticing, you can add substances such as jam, soda, fruit juice, or beer. A little apple cider vinegar mixed with the sugar water will also create a sickly sweet smell that will draw them in.
It is important to note that honey should not be added to the sugar water, as this will attract honeybees. Additionally, to prevent other insects like ants from being attracted to the trap, you can use a commercial wasp attractant with a patented formula that targets wasps and hornets only.
To increase the effectiveness of the trap, a small amount of dish soap can be added to the sugar water. The soap breaks the surface tension of the water, making it harder for the wasps to escape. This method can also be used with meat-baited traps, as the soap will coat the wasps' bodies and cause them to drown or suffocate.
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Use vinegar to keep bees away
While vinegar is often believed to be a natural bee deterrent or even a lethal solution due to its high acetic acid content, its effectiveness in killing bees is limited. Vinegar can create an unfavourable environment for bees, but it is unlikely to kill them directly unless used in very high concentrations.
If you are looking to deter bees without harming them, combining vinegar with other non-lethal methods may offer a more humane and environmentally friendly approach. For instance, you can use vinegar in a wasp trap to keep bees away.
To make a DIY wasp trap, you will need a soda bottle, sugar, and vinegar. First, draw a line around the neck of the bottle, just below the taper, using a permanent marker. Next, bait the trap by adding a few inches of sugar water and a bit of vinegar to the bottle. You can also add a drop of dish soap to the mixture to help prevent the wasps from escaping. Do not add honey as this will attract honey bees.
Once the trap is baited, remove the cap of the bottle and flip the top part of the bottle upside down, tucking it into the bottom portion. Place your trap outdoors in areas where you see wasp activity or want to prevent it, such as near trees, shrubs, or your house. You can also hang the trap in a tree or on a structure by punching holes in the top and threading a piece of wire or string through them.
It is important to note that while vinegar may help keep bees away, it can also make them more aggressive. Additionally, it is crucial to exercise caution when dealing with wasps, especially if you are allergic.
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Hang traps in sunny spots
When hanging your wasp trap, it's important to choose a strategic location to maximise its effectiveness. Here are some key considerations for hanging your wasp trap in sunny spots:
Choose the Right Spot
Select a sunny spot in your garden, preferably near a woodpile or pile of sticks, as queen wasps tend to hibernate under the bark. Hanging the trap near fruit trees or areas where wasps typically forage is also a good idea. This increases the chances of trapping the wasps as they are already active in these areas.
Optimal Height
While the exact height is not critical, hanging the trap around 1-2 meters above the ground seems ideal. This height strikes a balance between placing the trap within the flight path of wasps and keeping it out of the reach of children and pets to avoid any interference.
Baiting Tips
To enhance the effectiveness of your trap, consider using a bait that will attract wasps. A mixture of sugar and water, with a teaspoon of yeast added, is a popular option. You can also add a drop of dish soap to this mixture, as it breaks the surface tension, making it easier for the wasps to drown. Alternatively, you can use a sweet liquid such as soda, fruit juice, or even jam diluted in water. Avoid using honey, as it will attract honey bees.
Maintenance
Remember to regularly check and maintain your wasp trap. Shake the trap every few days to let some of the baits dribble out and attract more wasps. Also, keep an eye on the bait level, as the mixture may evaporate over time. Replace or top up the bait every few weeks, or as needed. Don't forget to remove any dead wasps from the trap and re-bait at least once a week to maintain its attractiveness to wasps.
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Drill holes in the bottle to create entry points
To make a wasp trap, you'll need to drill holes in the bottle to create entry points for the wasps. The number of holes you drill will depend on the size of the bottle you're using, but aim for at least four holes to maximise the entry points for the wasps. Make sure the holes are big enough for the wasps to fit through, and consider leaving one side of the bottle hole-free so that you can empty and refill the trap without spilling any liquid.
You can use a drill or a hole punch to make the holes. If you're using a drill, mark the spots where you want to create the holes with a permanent marker before drilling. This will ensure that you create holes that are the correct size and in the correct places. If you're using a hole punch, simply punch through the bottle in the desired locations.
Once you've created the holes, you'll need to deal with the sharp edges that are left behind. You can do this by using a sharp knife to cut them away, or by using a small nail file to smooth them down. This step is important, as you don't want the wasps to get injured by the sharp edges.
After you've dealt with the sharp edges, your wasp trap is almost ready to use. Just remember to bait the trap with an enticing food source, such as sugar water or meat, and to place it in an area where you've seen wasp activity. By taking these steps, you'll be able to effectively deal with any wasp problems you may have.
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Use dish soap to break the surface tension
Dish soap is an effective ingredient to use in wasp traps as it breaks the surface tension of water, making it harder for wasps to land on the water and fly out of it.
To make a basic wasp trap with dish soap, start by finding a 2-litre plastic bottle and cutting off the top just below the neck. Next, turn the neck of the bottle upside down and insert it into the bottom half of the bottle to create a funnel. Tape the cut edges together, then pour water into the bottle until it's about one inch below the bottom of the funnel. Finally, add a few drops of dish soap to break the surface tension of the water. The soap will make it so that the wasps cannot fly out of the water and will eventually drown.
You can also add dish soap to a hose spray attachment and spray a wasp nest from a safe distance. The soap will coat the wasps and make it harder for them to breathe, effectively drowning or suffocating them. This method can be used to kill hives and nests without poison.
When creating a wasp trap with dish soap, it is important to use a soap that has degreasing properties. Wasps are covered in a protective oil or grease, so when they come into contact with a degreaser like dish soap, they die quickly. In addition, the thick consistency of dish soap makes it harder for wasps to dry themselves off, increasing the chances of them drowning in the water.
To enhance the effectiveness of your wasp trap, consider using bait to lure the wasps. Different types of bait work best at different times of the year. During spring and early summer, wasps are attracted to protein sources such as meat or lunch meat. In late summer and early fall, wasps seek out sweets, so using sugary substances like sugar water, jam, or fruit juice can be effective. Additionally, while wasps hate the smell of vinegar, a small amount of apple cider vinegar mixed with sugary liquid and dish soap can create a sickly sweet smell that will draw them in.
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Frequently asked questions
Different baits work at different times of the year. During spring and early summer, wasps will be looking for protein sources such as meat or hamburger. In late summer and early fall, wasps are seeking sweets, so use sugar water, jam, soda, or fruit juice.
Place your trap outdoors in areas where you see wasp activity or want to prevent wasp activity. Hang the trap in a sunny spot in the garden, near a wood heap or pile of sticks, as queen wasps hibernate under bark. If you want to hang your trap, use a hole punch at the top of the trap and thread a piece of wire or string through to hang it up.
You can make a wasp trap with a soda bottle and a few basic supplies. First, draw a line with a permanent marker around the neck of the bottle, just below the taper. Then, put your chosen bait inside the bottle. To complete your trap, remove the cap, flip the top part of the bottle upside down, and tuck it into the bottom portion.
Check your trap regularly for live wasps and remove dead ones. You may not catch anything immediately, but rebait the bottle at least once a week to continue attracting wasps.
