Here’s what to do if yellow jackets are invading your yard or garden.
A do-it-yourself yellow jacket trap may be the exact solution you need.
Yellow jackets can be dangerous for humans, pets, and our beloved honey bee population.
Photo:Jackie Bale/Getty Images
They kill honey bees and raid their hives to feed on honey and larvae.
But despite yellow jackets' bad rap, they play an essential role in the ecosystem.
They’re pollinators and feed on insects that harm farmers' crops.
But remember, yellow jackets do provide environmental benefits.
Set aside the bottle top for later.
The bottle cap, however, can be thrown away because you will no longer need it.
Add Ingredients
Add all of your ingredients into the bottom half of the bottle.
Stir until they dissolve.
Add the Banana Peel
The next key ingredient you need is a banana peel.
Push the banana peel down in the liquid in the bottom of the bottle.
Once they get inside the bottle, it doesn’t take long for them to die."
Create the Trap
Retrieve the bottle top that you cut off earlier.
Place it upside down in the opening of the bottle with the mixture in it.
Use scotch tape to attach the two pieces and hold the bottle top in place.
Set the Yellow Jacket Trap
Now it’s time to set the trap.
Remember, yellow jackets are dangerous.
Don’t approach the nest itself because they will attack if disturbed.
Place the trap away from the house or areas your family and pets occupy.
The scent will lure the insects to it.
In fact, yellow jackets will travel over 1,000 feet from their nest to find food.
Mix 15 drops of peppermint oil in a spray bottle for every cup of water.
Shake thoroughly and spray areas with the mixture to keep your yellow-striped invaders away.
Plus, you will have a wonderful selection of herbs and beautiful flowers to look at.
This is when they are less active.
This way, fewer yellow jackets are flying around when you are setting the trap.
There are 325 species in the United States alone.
Bees are not aggressive like yellow jackets and only sting when their hive is threatened.
Bees eat pollen and nectar, whereas yellow jackets will scavenge for meat and other food sources.
Remember, bees have fuzzy bodies and have more of a round shape than yellow jackets.
