You might want to know how to make a wasp trap when you have an infestation around your house. The good news is this is a simple DIY project, and you can make use of many things you already have in your recycling.
Read our step-by-step guide to get rid of wasps, and nothing can ruin your backyard summer barbecues anymore.
Wasp Damages
Even if you’re not allergic to wasps, their stings can be extremely painful, causing some unpleasant symptoms such as swelling, breathing difficulties, headaches, and nausea.
Those allergic to these insects might suffer from significantly severer mentioned reactions. Even worse, they may lose their consciousness, requiring immediate medical attention.
If wasp nests inside your home are left untreated, they may eventually cause wood damage. Wallboard, ceiling, roof, and overhead piping are places where these insects tend to build their nests.
We must say that the damage is minimal, but their presence is a real nuisance. Imagine you hold a get-together and have a wasp problem. This insect’s presence can dampen the atmosphere. Everyone is worrying about being stung and does not thoroughly enjoy themselves at the party.
What Are Wasps Attracted To?
Whether your wasps traps work or not critically depends on the right type of baits.
Spring and Summer Seasons
These times of the year are when wasps are on their hunting sprees. They are attracted to protein-based food. That’s why you might find them around your trash bins with leftover cooked meat grease.
Fall and Winter Seasons
When the fall or winter arrives, they have a change of heart and look for sweet food instead. Sugar water, fruit juice, jam, or even soda are effective wasp trap bait.
Yet, keep in mind not to use honey as bait. This substance will draw honeybees’ attention, and you don’t want to exterminate these benign and beneficial pollinators.
We’ll walk you through building the most effective and cheapest set of wasps in this step-by-step video:
How To Make A Wasp Trap
Homemade wasp killer is a pretty simple DIY project that requires nothing more than what is inside your recycling.
What You Will Need
- A marker
- Razor knife (Or scissors, box cutter)
- 2-liter soda bottle for each wasp trap DIY
- Heavy string to hang your wasp catcher
- Bait (meat, sugar, juice, or jam)
Instructions
Step 1: Cut Up The Bottle
First off, use the marker to draw a line around the neck of the plastic bottle, from where it becomes a straight cylinder downwards. Use the knife, a pair of sharp scissors, or a box cutter to cut the bottle according to the line you made.
If you’re a crafty type and familiar with cutting hard plastic, you can skip the drawing step and go ahead to cut the bottle instead.
Step 2: Put The Bait Inside The Trap
First, mix some plain water with several drops of liquid dish soap and pour them into the bottle. The liquid dish soap helps ease the surface tension between the water molecules, making it easier for the wasps to break in.
Then, depending on the season, place the suitable bait inside your homemade bee trap. In spring or late summer, use meat grease; in fall and winter, try something sugary such as jam, sugar, fruit juice, or soda.
It’s worth noting that you’ll need to leave an inch between the funnel and the bait solution so that the insect can fall for the trap.
Step 3: Set Up The Homemade Wasp Trap
Now place the upper portion of the bottle upside down and insert it into the other part.
Then use a hole punch to poke through both top and bottom part of this wasp catcher (somewhere close to the top will be easier to poke). You’ll need two holes across from each other to hang the trap properly.
Next, use the string to hang up your DIY wasp trap where you see a wasp activity or simply want to prevent the insect from coming. Something like a fence post or tree branch of four feet high will make a perfect trap hanger.
Avoid setting up your trap too close to your gathering spaces. A 10-yard distance will keep you and your loved one safe from the painful wasp stings.
Step 4: Re-Fill Your Wasp Traps If Needed
If you’re having a minor wasp issue, a trap will suffice to kill all the wasps in the house. Otherwise, you will need to check in on it frequently, remove the drowned wasps and add more bait solution.
Watch out for any live insects if you don’t want to get stung. You can either bury the dead wasps, put them in a plastic bag, or throw them into the trash bin.
Wasp Prevention Tips
Check For Nests
Look for any active nests in your home and garden in early spring. Nests tend to be small at this time of the year. They house fewer wasps, making them easier to treat.
Seal Waste Bins
Garbage is one of the places where wasps come to hunt for food. Bins with leftover lunch meat or an unfinished can of soda will be appealing to these insects as much as your natural wasp killer.
Make sure they have tightly fitting lids, especially when put outside. Keep a reasonable distance between bins and doors/windows so these flying insects cannot identify the foods.
Patch Up Cracks
Any cracks or holes are the perfect way for wasps to intrude your house, so you’ll want to seal them tightly. Besides, if your house suffers from serious wasp infestation, keep doors and windows shut to prevent them from making their way to the house.
Avoid Leaving Leftovers Outside
While hosting a party, make sure you quickly dispose of used plates or beverage containers into the trash bins with tight lids to avoid these unwelcomed flying guests.
Conclusion
You’ve probably known how to make a wasp trap after finishing this article. Wasp trap is a simple yet effective solution to your wasp infestation.
Occasionally check wasp nests around your house, get seal-tight lids for your bins, take care of all the left-overs, and patch up all the holes to keep you and your family safe from these insects.
