When wasps nest too close to homes, they are a danger to people and pets. You can buy wasp traps, but they cost money. Instead, try making your own reusable trap from a plastic bottle and bait, such as jam and water. This homemade trap is easy to use and will help you get rid of annoying wasps.
Making a trap
Take a two-litre plastic water, juice or other beverage bottle. It is best to use a transparent bottle so that you can easily see if wasps are trapped. If there is a label on the bottle, it is best to remove it so that it does not obstruct the view. If you do not have a two-litre bottle, you can use a smaller bottle and the trap will simply be smaller.
Draw a line with a marker around the bottle where the cut line will be. Do not try to make the line perfectly straight. The only thing that matters is the direction so that you can cut the bottle.
Cut off the top of the bottle along the line drawn with the marker. This can be done with a sharp knife, scissors. When you start cutting the bottle, be careful as it may slip and you may cut yourself. To prevent the bottle from slipping out, you can place it on a slightly wet cloth or towel. This will make it easier to hold on to.
Turn over the cut top of the bottle, unscrew the cap from the neck and insert it into the bottom of the bottle. The neck will serve as a funnel through which the wasps will enter the bottle but will not be able to get out.
Take some transparent scotch tape and stick both parts of the bottle together. The tape will hold the two parts of the bottle together so that one part doesn’t fall out of the other.
Make two holes in opposite sides of the bottle near the top edge using scissors, an awl or a knife. Be careful not to hurt yourself when doing this
Take a 30 centimetre long rope, put the ends through the holes and tie it off. You will hang the trap from this rope. Any rope will do, as long as it is strong enough to support the weight of the trap and any gusts of wind. Twine or even an old shoe string will do
How to pour the bait and set the trap
In spring and early summer, use fat and meat scraps as bait. Add a little water to make a solution in which the wasps will drown. During spring and early summer, wasps create nests and lay eggs, and at this time they need protein. Even a wasp mate can be caught for meat at this time, forcing the rest of the wasps from the nest to move to a new location.
In the second half of summer and early autumn, use something sweet as bait. For example, mix jam with water. Wasps need extra energy in late summer and early autumn, so they look for sweet food.
Pour the bait solution into the trap opening. The solution should cover the bottom of the bottle by about 3-5 centimetres. As a result, the wasps will have to climb completely into the trap to reach the bait. If you use a smaller plastic bottle instead of a two-litre bottle, add less bait. There should be at least 5 centimetres of space between the bait solution and the opening in the tipped neck.
Set the trap or suspend it. Place the trap on a small table or chair to raise it slightly above ground level. You can also hang the trap from a fence post or lower tree branch. More wasps will be attracted to the trap if it hangs about 1.2 metres high rather than standing on the ground. The trap will attract wasps, so do not hang it where you often walk or work. Try to place the trap at least 8 metres away from places where people frequent.
How to remove trapped wasps and put in new bait
Check the trap daily at least once a day for several days. Make sure that the trap works and that you have placed the trap in a suitable location. If the trap remains empty, try moving it to another location where you have noticed wasps.
Every three days, remove the scotch tape and clean the trap. If you do not do this, the surface of the bait will become covered with dead insects and the trapped wasps will stop drowning. Make sure all trapped wasps are dead before removing the tape. Surviving wasps are likely to behave very aggressively. Be very careful when releasing surviving wasps. Unlike bees, wasps are aggressive by nature. You can release wasps from a trap if you wish, but do so away from your home and crowded areas. If released wasps are given the opportunity, they will communicate danger to the rest of the colony, so do not release them near the nest. If there is a deserted area near your home, you can release wasps there. If you are going to release surviving wasps, be sure to wear gloves and closed clothing with long sleeves and trousers.
Bury or drain dead wasps in the sewer to avoid attracting their relatives. Wasps are known to swarm if they feel threatened by another wasp. The body of a dead wasp releases a substance that attracts the rest of its colony. Do not dispose of dead wasps on the ground or in the rubbish bin or their relatives will fly to the area.
Tape the trap again and refill with fresh bait solution. Unlike conventional sticky wasp traps, this homemade trap can be reused. Simply prepare a new bait solution and pour it into the trap.
What you will need
– A two litre plastic water bottle. You can use a smaller size
– A sharp knife or scissors to cut the bottle.
– An awl
– Transparent tape
– 30 centimetres of rope
– Water
– Fat, meat scraps, water
– Jam, water
Сautions
– The trap reduces the number of wasps, but does not get rid of them completely unless a wasp queen is trapped in it. The only way to get rid of wasps completely is to eliminate their nest.
– Do not add honey to the trap as this will attract more bees than wasps.
– Do not place the trap near areas where children or pets frequent. The trap will attract wasps, so place it away from crowded areas.
– Be careful when handling wasps. Even after a wasp dies, its sting remains active and can pierce the skin. If you are allergic to wasps, seek medical attention immediately in the event of one or more stings. Medical attention may also be required for multiple stings even if you are not allergic to wasps.
