How to Make a Yellow Jacket Trap

Yellow jackets are the most aggressive bees out there. Most bee stings are a result of yellow jackets. Since they travel great distances from their nest, you can't always find the nest to eradicate. This being the case, a trap may be your best option. Here's a popular homemade trap that works really well. I've made them myself and caught tons of the little rascals with it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 2 liter empty pop bottle
• water
• dish washing liquid
• juice, piece of fruit, or chunk of meat
• vaseline or cooking oil
• barbecue skewer

1. MAKE THE TRAP
   Cut the top one third part off of a two liter pop bottle. Now turn the top part upside down so that it resembles a funnel. Add some water to the bottom of the bottle and squirt in a couple of tablespoons of dish washing liquid. A little bit of yellow food coloring can also be added as the color yellow attracts them.
   
   Fit the top funnel down into the bottom portion of the bottle.

2. ATTRACT THE YELLOW JACKETS TO YOUR TRAP
   *Yellow jackets like protein in the spring, so if it's springtime you will use a chunk of meat.
   *If it's late summer, when yellow jackets are most aggressive, use something sweet, like fruit chunks. They love mashed up grapes or banana.
   
   Poke a skewer (like you use for barbecues) across the top of the funnel so that the stick is over the "funnel" opening. You will remove the stick in order to place your bait in the trap. The bait will be suspended over the opening of the funnel. Skewer your meat or fruit on the stick.
   
   A little vaseline should be rubbed along the top of the trap. Cooking oil may also be used.

3. STRATEGIC PLACEMENT
   Hang your trap away from where you spend time outdoors, the outer perimeter of your yard is perfect. Just make sure to place these traps close to where they have been seen. Remove the dead wasps and replace the bait every few days.

Tips & Warnings

• Put out the traps in early spring and you might just catch some queens. This will stop a nest from being built close by and result in less yellow jackets during the summer and fall.
• You will need multiple traps to really eradicate large numbers of yellow jackets.
• Do not hang traps close to where children play.