Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => DISEASE & PEST CONTROL => Topic started by: ArmucheeBee on August 24, 2008, 05:48:02 pm

Title: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: ArmucheeBee on August 24, 2008, 05:48:02 pm
I have had the worst time with yellow jackets.  I can not even open a hive without them attacking the frames and getting my normally nice bees upset!  So after reading some home remedies, I made a trap but found some of the jackets found their way back out the hole.  I made a funnel out of screen and inverted another bottle on top.  They want to go up so you see what happens.  Two 5/8 holes in the bottom bottle, put in some syrup, apple juice, and water.  That's it.  See what you think. 

(http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/4869/20080825stuff0005po4.th.jpg) (http://img366.imageshack.us/my.php?image=20080825stuff0005po4.jpg)

(http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/5561/20080825stuff0006ik5.th.jpg) (http://img366.imageshack.us/my.php?image=20080825stuff0006ik5.jpg)
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: TwT on August 24, 2008, 06:01:37 pm
looks like you did pretty good, now if you had a few more you might get to work your bee's without getting upset, and your bee's might get some rest, nice job
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: JordanM on August 24, 2008, 10:43:17 pm
great idea, i have been thinking about making one of these, because i just scoashed 2 bees on the outside of my hives. And when i pull frames out the yellow jackets land on them and try to take some honey.

Do you know if this would work for getting wasp to and have you seen an improvement in less yello jackets since you put it out, i guess im asking have you seen an improvement? And how much apple juice wate and sugar did you use?

Thanks Jordan
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: poka-bee on August 25, 2008, 01:58:39 am
What a great idea!  Disposable too so you can "torch" em when full :evil:!! Gonna have to make some to see how many can be caught! They get really obnoxious in the fall here.  Jody
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: ArmucheeBee on August 25, 2008, 02:36:49 pm
I did not measure the amounts.  Probably a cup of juice, half cup syrup, cup or two of water.  They can smell anything.  I have seen a reduction.  Have not caught wasps but have not had a problem.  Paper wasps general feed on caterpillars.  It does catch hornets.  They even got in the 5/8 inch hole so they wanted it bad.  I had that bottle out about 3 hours when I took the pictures--that's how fast they went to it.  The more water, the less tension on the top and they sink better and drown.
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: JordanM on August 25, 2008, 05:13:45 pm
Thanks i will be sure to  make some soon.
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: SgtMaj on September 14, 2008, 03:29:53 am
SkyMall has a reusable glass (I think) yellowjacket trap that's supposed to only trap yellowjackets as well...

But yours seems to do the job well enough (or better) for darn near free.

I'm a little confused on where they enter though?
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: JP on September 14, 2008, 01:36:04 pm
Since you have so many coming in have you thought about using colored chalk or flower to bee line those suckers back to their nest?

You may just find the motherload.


...JP
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: ArmucheeBee on September 14, 2008, 02:30:19 pm
1.  I cut two 1/2 inch holes on the side just before it curves up to the top.

2.  I'll be happy to let you come over and bee-line YELLOW JACKETS!!!!!   I watched a few fly away from a honeycomb but they were too fast.  How does the chalk work?
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: SgtMaj on September 14, 2008, 03:36:26 pm
2.  I'll be happy to let you come over and bee-line YELLOW JACKETS!!!!!   I watched a few fly away from a honeycomb but they were too fast.  How does the chalk work?

Throw it on them, and they'll leave a dust trail for at least a few feet that's a straight line toward their nest... assuming it's not windy that is...
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: poka-bee on September 15, 2008, 04:49:15 pm
Well, that sounds almost as exciting as Goat-roping for Sat night...Gonna have to do it!! J
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: Moonshae on September 15, 2008, 10:10:24 pm
A local organic gardening radio show recommends dumping several bags of ice on the entrance at dusk, once all the 'jackets have gone inside. The cold will prevent their attacking you.

"Then cover the hole and the area around it with a heavy tarp weighted down with bricks, a piece of sheet metal, a big wooden board or other heavy object. Then cover that with soil or wood chips. Or cover the hole with a thick piece of clear plastic, seal the edges tight to the ground, and the nest will cook in the sun once the ice melts. Be sure and pick a cool night when these dangerous wasps will be unable to respond quickly—and ‘bee(Grrrr...! my comment) careful’!"

http://www.gardensalive.com/article.asp?ai=469

Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: ArmucheeBee on September 15, 2008, 11:04:38 pm
I'm very organic, but.........I still like gas and fire!!!  fire, fire, fire!!!!! :evil:  Do I have a second??
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: TwT on September 15, 2008, 11:49:49 pm
I 2nd that one  :evil:
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: poka-bee on September 16, 2008, 12:44:39 am
FIRE FIRE!!  2nd the 2nd!!!! :-D :evil:
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: SgtMaj on September 16, 2008, 03:06:25 am
A local organic gardening radio show recommends dumping several bags of ice on the entrance at dusk, once all the 'jackets have gone inside. The cold will prevent their attacking you.

"Then cover the hole and the area around it with a heavy tarp weighted down with bricks, a piece of sheet metal, a big wooden board or other heavy object. Then cover that with soil or wood chips. Or cover the hole with a thick piece of clear plastic, seal the edges tight to the ground, and the nest will cook in the sun once the ice melts. Be sure and pick a cool night when these dangerous wasps will be unable to respond quickly—and ‘bee(Grrrr...! my comment) careful’!"

That sounds like WAY too much work, so I'm going to have to 3rd the second 2nd... FIRE IN THE HOLE!!   :evil:
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: JP on September 16, 2008, 10:57:10 am
Once the nest is found in the ground try putting a thick piece of clear plastic at night over the entire area, then the entrance can be fogged with an aeresol with injector (straw) tip.

Or, just cover the thing at night with a bunch of dirt, they don't fly at night as long as its dark around the area.


...JP
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: 1reb on September 16, 2008, 11:14:53 am
I like the fire too  :evil:
Johnny
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: JP on September 16, 2008, 11:18:50 am
I like the fire too  :evil:
Johnny

Ok, or you could use a flame thrower or just put a stick of dynamite in the entrance hole, take a video for you tube.

Try not to blow yourself up or catch on fire, will shorten your beekeeping career, considerably!


...JP
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: poka-bee on September 16, 2008, 06:40:57 pm
Once the nest is found in the ground try putting a thick piece of clear plastic at night over the entire area, then the entrance can be fogged with an aeresol with injector (straw) tip.
..JP

You forgot to put in the part where we light the fogger spray.. :evil: :roll: WD40 works great!! That way you don't need to waste the plastic...less landfill waste! 4th my 2nd...FIRE!  If you are really careful it can be done... :-D :-D  Jody
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: 1reb on September 16, 2008, 06:52:33 pm
i got fuses   :evil:
Johnny
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: RickeyENC on September 19, 2008, 01:12:11 pm

My son ran over their hole in the ground with the lawn mower, they got him twice. I found where they were and went the gas and fire route, was a hoot. While the fire raged those in the field backed up trying to figure out what happened to their happy home, I hit them with Hotshot.  :-D
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: poka-bee on September 19, 2008, 03:04:32 pm
hee heehee!****  You chortlesnort**You know how to have fun!  Bet your son forgot all about the stings when the flames started! :-D
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: RayMarler on February 16, 2009, 03:15:38 am
Your yellow jacket trap actractant will be fine in a nectar flow, but might attract your bees as well in a nectar dearth, it does here for me.
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: ArmucheeBee on February 16, 2009, 08:32:21 am
Well I used it during the dearth here in Fall, also drought.  The honey bees never entered it.  There were so many jackets, that they probably ran the HBees off. 
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: Rabbitdog on March 01, 2009, 04:21:12 pm
ATTENTION:
Do not light the fire if they're in the ground.  It's the fumes that kills 'em.  When you light the match, you get a great little boom and some cool colors but you may actually be saving the yellow jackets by burning off all of the fumes.  Rarely can you get gas on the actual nest of these critters.  However, if you simply pour one cup of gas in the hole and then cover the hole with a brick/rock/etc.  you will eliminate all of them in minutes.
I love fire too, but this ain't the time to use it. :shock:
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: poka-bee on March 01, 2009, 04:42:33 pm
So wait for a day or so, THEN pour more gas on & light?? :devilbanana:  That way you do both!!  It's so psychologically satisfying to burn stuff.  Well, at least for our family! :roll:  J
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: iddee on March 01, 2009, 04:55:22 pm
I hate to tell you, but you firebugs are just letting the YJ's continue with their life. When you light the gas, it burns on top the ground and the nest is left safely below ground. If you will just pour a cup to a pint of gas into the hole and walk away, the fumes will sink in and kill everything in the nest. Fire=live bugs. No fire=dead bugs. Your choice.
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: poka-bee on March 01, 2009, 05:39:08 pm
Iddee, I meant AFTER letting the fumes work their magic for a day or so THEN can I blow em up???
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: ArmucheeBee on March 01, 2009, 07:27:31 pm
What's up with this "cup of" stuff?  I'm talking a pool of gas somewhere underground!  I'm talking at least $3 in gas here!  I make a little gas trail and get about 20 feet away.  Can you say 'saturday night fun'.
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: poka-bee on March 01, 2009, 08:37:31 pm
What's up with this "cup of" stuff?  I'm talking a pool of gas somewhere underground!  I'm talking at least $3 in gas here!  I make a little gas trail and get about 20 feet away.  Can you say 'saturday night fun'.

OOOhhh, I like the way you think!  J :-D
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: iddee on March 01, 2009, 08:44:21 pm
>>>>Can you say 'saturday night fun'.<<<<

Can you say EPA. Can you say $10,000.00 fine?

 :shock:   :roll:   :mrgreen:   :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: poka-bee on March 01, 2009, 09:08:45 pm
That's why you wait till dark so the smoke isn't seen! :evil: J
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: Brian D. Bray on March 02, 2009, 01:04:46 am
That's why you wait till dark so the smoke isn't seen! :evil: J


How yah going to hide the flash and bang?   :evil:
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: ArmucheeBee on March 02, 2009, 08:59:36 am
EPA?   Oh, spilled some, cleaned it up real good-nothing left!
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: poka-bee on March 02, 2009, 01:33:25 pm
Living here in Buckley, they will just think it's someone trying to start their car or hook up electicity! Maybe even moonshiners! :roll: :evil:  J
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: Scadsobees on March 02, 2009, 02:12:27 pm
Fire!  Fire!  Heh heh heh!!  Jodi, you remind me of somebody who has a friend named "Beavis"!!! :-P :evil:

Isn't what you describe the same thing as a Malotov coktail?  Only in the ground instead of in a bottle?
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: poka-bee on March 02, 2009, 02:45:50 pm
Fire!  Fire!  Heh heh heh!!  Jodi, you remind me of somebody who has a friend named "Beavis"!!! :-P :evil:

Isn't what you describe the same thing as a Malotov coktail?  Only in the ground instead of in a bottle?

Come to think of it...people have called me the "other name.."Hmmm :?  Yes, much like the cocktail but you don't take the chance of missing what you are tossing it at so any dummy can do it! :-D J
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: Erich on March 15, 2009, 01:09:00 am
I like seeing trapped yellowjackets! Doesn't bother me in the least. Sterling Int. is a company where I live that makes traps. They now have on the market one called "WHY"  Wasps, Hornets and yes, Yellowjackets. I have trouble with all. I will be getting a couple this spring, if spring ever arrives. Good job to those of you who find the time to make their own traps.   
Erich
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: deadsnowmen on April 12, 2009, 10:28:01 pm
My brother n law had a problem with yellow jackets,he lit the hole and ground beside them,went off like a little bomb,,he burned the yard around them and put it out with a hose pipe.2 days later he got a call,,the fire burned dry roots and ''slow'' burned under ground until it reached above ground,then burn above ground,he said the fire department put it out before it burned the neighbors building up :-D
I had a problem with yellow jackets and hornets near my hives,I made a bottle simaliar to the one pictured,,but I only used one bottle,,I like the idea of the doubled bottles..I cut 1/2 holes near the bend of the neck,filled it a third full with apple cider vinager,water,and banana peels,it worked ok,,caught hornets and yellow jackets,no honey bees to date.
When I found the nest I bought a bottle of amonia,at the dollar store for $1,,drilled a 1/4 inch hole in the lid,put a 1/4 inch tubing,3 feet long,,(a clear gas line tube)--I slid the tube in the entrance of the nest(s) and held the bottle upside down,20 seconds later they crawled out coughin and staggerin.. ;)
I also did it to hornets in a crack in a block wall,,the hornets kept attacking my bees.The gaurd hornet ran into the hive once the tube went in warning the others,by the time he and his buddies started out the hole,they were gasping for air.I stood agaist the wall holding a half gallon of ammonia up letting it slowly drain into the entrance.Works great,,been a year and hadnt seen any hornets return.
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: lenape13 on April 14, 2009, 10:01:49 am
I use a weed burner attached to a 20# propane tank and dig the nest out of the ground with a pitchfork.  The flame from the the weed burner keeps them securely in the hole until I can get the fork under the nest.  Once it's exposed, there is a pleasing popping sound as the little devils explode due to the intense flame.  Controlled demolition at it's finest! :evil:

Another thing I have found is that our neighborhood skunks just love them.  Last year alone, they eliminated five underground nests in our back yard.  Of course, I don't know how your neighbors would feel about you importing skunks into your neighborhood! :shock:
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: Buckwhite on April 15, 2009, 05:30:25 pm
I also had a lot of those yellowjackets.  This year, it's WAR.  Some traps you build yourself can be found searching for "wasp traps".
Good Luck
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: Highlandsfreedom on May 09, 2009, 06:22:17 pm
torch them bad boys
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: SgtMaj on May 09, 2009, 08:58:36 pm
What's a good bait for the yellow jackets that the honey bees absolutely will not be interrested in?
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: ArmucheeBee on May 10, 2009, 09:46:18 pm
I had no HB coming to my trap of apple juice and water and a little apple cider.
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: Bee Happy on May 12, 2009, 12:57:18 am
<----- do I HAVE to say my vote?
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: SgtMaj on May 12, 2009, 01:29:12 am
I had no HB coming to my trap of apple juice and water and a little apple cider.

Was it 1:1:1 ratio?  If not, what was the ratio of apple juice to water and cider?
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: ArmucheeBee on May 13, 2009, 10:42:31 pm
i didn't worry with ratios, just some of this and that.  it was filled with jackets in 1 day.  put 3/4 cider and 1/4 water.  but don't measure it for goodness sake just eyeball it.  jackets don't care.
Title: Re: Yellow-jacket killer
Post by: harvey on June 17, 2009, 11:25:09 pm
Gasoline may blow and burns way to fast,  sometimes it doesn't kill all the next in the ground.  I like to use diesel fuel or old engine oil.   Light it with Wd40 and it will burn for a long time.   The smoke is pretty heavy too.   Has worked on yellow jackest, bumble bee nests and the like.