A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2004 Wasps

I hate 'em, I hate 'em, I hate 'em.

Seriously, I hate 'em.

I have built a really nice butterfly garden. Tho the aphids get to me sometimes before I go Rambo with some soap solution. The Wasps are our biggest enemy With the butterflies, I don't use any pesticides and go after the Wasps with my sweatband and a small butterfly net. That's where the Rambo really sets in.

Anyone know of any good traps for them? I've read home-made ones could actually invite more of them in. Not sure if that's just to make sure you buy the commercial ones or not.

Looking for any advice. I've cleared my (and my neighbors tho they don't know) house of any type of place for them to house and at wits end.

Thanks for hearing me vent

Last year we had problems with them. I searched the yard for any nests-they were even coming out of trees! I put up traps-just got bottles and put in a little sugar water, they loved them and for some reason couldn't figure out how to fly out. I also sealed the holes in the trees where they were coming from. Best to do that in the early morning before they are active-trust me on that one!

Thanks moon. I may be trying that one. I ordered an electronic, hand-held bug-zapper today online. Saw one at a recent Home and Garden show here in Orlando and knew I should've bought one then. It wont kill them on contact, but will stun them enough for me to get them.

Just can't find a real good trap. I think I'll try you're recipe

I have to try this. I'm SOOO allergic to wasps. Almost died last time I got stung. (12 years ago...knock on wood!) You can't carry that stupid epi-pen with you ALL the time, you know! Such a pain in the A** being allergic, but just getting stung if you aren't allergic hurts like hell.
Do you use the same strength like for a hummingbird feeder? Or more sugar?

at my job, they sell bee, wasp and fly traps. What they are, are these little bottles that let things in, but they're not coordinated enough to be able to get themselves out. You can get a few of these, and put something sugary, or fruity in the bottom. My mom puts beer in them. I put old apples from our trees out back in them. The only problem with them is getting to them so you can empty them out. But you have to make sure everything inside it is dead >.o they smell bad and are a pain to clean too. but they're dish washer safe atleast. Not that i'd put it in with other dishes after a buncha dead bugz smothered in beer and apples have been in there >.< ick

~Phoebe

I understand those with allergies but keep in mind wasps are beneficial insects. They come in all sizes. The larger paper wasps can feed on caterpillars and smaller ones are some of the best control for aphids. They also control scale insects. So be careful trying to kill them all.