Yellow Jacket traps....wish me luck!

[Richard]

Being allergic to the little SOB's, this won't hurt my feelings to watch them die.

We've got two rows, each 80' long of blueberries that are just screaming now to be picked.

They are also being visited by a bunch of yellow jackets who evidently, are also feeding.

After reading around some and primarily, thanks to this forum.... here's an experiement I'm trying.

Long story short... sticking some grape jelly inside a bottle, filled with water/soap in hopes to attract them in and then drown them.

Here's what I did. I feel so stupid because I didn't take a picture after I set them up by the berries. Oh well...maybe I'll get one later.

I'll report back any success I've had.

Picture 1 is some strips I cut from some burlap the wife had

Picture 2 is a knot I tied in one end so they'd hold inside a milk jug lid

Picture 3 is threaded through said lid, after I cut a hole (small one) in it.

Picture 4 shows the shadow of how this will dangle inside the jug, above the water line

 

[Richard]

Picture 5 sort of shows the hole in the jug. I used the knife to penetrate the jug but then used some kitchen scissors to cut the circle

Picture 6 is when the gloppy part started. Put some grape jello on a plate and worked it into the fabric of the burlap. Put it inside, outside through the middle.... I wanted to get as much onto it as I could

Picture 7 explains 6

Picture 8 shows 3 of the 4 with the lids on.

 

[Richard]

Last picture shows some of the jugs and a hole I cut in one. Filled with water and dumped some dish soap in there.

I read to use unscented but tis all I had.

I can't belive I didn't get a picture of them setup with the lid on nor outside. Picture above will illustrate with the lid on and I'll try to get a picture of berries later (after wife's to-do list )

I'm really hoping to catch some of these little SOB's. Even if we catch 10 of them, that's 10 less chances of meeting on while grabbing some blueberries.

 

[carpenter383]

So the theory is the yellow jackets will go into the hole and not be able to get back out?
I'd like to know how it works out for you, I hate them SOB's too!

 

[Richard]

That's the theory.

Also, I said jello.... it's Welches grape jelly

I know yellow jackets have discerning taste buds and wouldn't want Cost Cutter jelly.... so I got Welches for them.

Want them to know I'm sincere

 

[cowboy357]

Aint You thoughtfull . Sounds like a plan , have You caught any yet ? looks to be Quite cheaper then the glue strips I,ve been using . Bob

 

[Richard]

Aint You thoughtfull . Sounds like a plan , have You caught any yet ? looks to be Quite cheaper then the glue strips I,ve been using . Bob

don't you know I STILL forgot to take a picture...

I just walked the dogs and made a circle around 2 of the jugs. I did not notice the first yellow jacket inside them. Didn't notice a moth nor even an ant.

They went out yesterday morning. Have I waited long enough? Did I make a mistake with the dish soap I had on hand? (scented) do they prefer rasberry jelly instead of grape? Do I have them too far from the blueberry bushes? (10/15 feet)

Right now I'm only full of questions and no answers.

 

[cowboy357]

don't you know I STILL forgot to take a picture...

I just walked the dogs and made a circle around 2 of the jugs. I did not notice the first yellow jacket inside them. Didn't notice a moth nor even an ant.

They went out yesterday morning. Have I waited long enough? Did I make a mistake with the dish soap I had on hand? (scented) do they prefer rasberry jelly instead of grape? Do I have them too far from the blueberry bushes? (10/15 feet)

Right now I'm only full of questions and no answers.

I have no clue Richard , thats the first I had heard of it . The one thing I Do know is They are attracted to the color yellow . I wonder if putting yellow food coloring in the water or maybe spray painting the top area of the jug would get them more interested . Just a thought .

I Use the round hanging Tubes that are yellow & covered with a really sticky glue, there about 2 foot long & seem to work Great . But once they are covered with wasps , flys , skeeters , or get a lot of dust on them , making them not so sticky , its time to put up new ones & they aint cheap . Best of luck though I hate them critters myself . Bob

 

[LD1]

One of the old tricks around here is to take a old peice of freezer burnt meat out of the freezer and thaw it out. Then run a rod through it and set on top of a bucket of water.

I know from experience it works. Set it out and in a couple of day you have a bucket full of dead yellow jackets. The reason that it works is that YJ's will eat so much they cant fly, then the only way to go is down into the water. (This is what I have been told). But regardless of how it works... it does work.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Let us know how the traps work.