An expert gardener shared a simple method to make a DIY wasp trap using just four ingredients, explaining how wasps can cause trouble in gardens at this time of year
A gardening expert has shared how you can make a wasp trap with just four ingredients (stock photo)(Image: RelaxFoto.de via Getty Images)
Wasps are widespread insects that can prove troublesome, especially during the summer months, and are notorious for delivering stings when they sense danger or when their nest faces disruption. You might notice a surge in wasp activity during late summer as their colonies reach peak size, and it becomes irritating when these creatures invade your home or outdoor space.
They’re drawn to fizzy drinks, overripe fruit and other sugary delights that can prove bothersome at social events, such as barbecues. However, wasps serve a crucial function as pollinators, though they frequently get overshadowed by bees. Michael Griffiths has built a reputation for sharing gardening advice and tutorials across social media platforms and serves as a brand ambassador for Dobbies Garden Centres.
He recognises that wherever feasible, wasps should be left undisturbed as they are “beneficial predators and pollinators” but has noticed they can create problems in gardens at this point in the year by impacting bees.
Because of this, he has discovered a method to construct a wasp trap and revealed his technique in a video posted on Instagram.
At the start of his footage, Griffiths explained: “How to make a wasp trap that bees won’t go near. August and September are peak times for wasps as their colonies are at their largest.”
The gardening specialist then shared his trap-making technique, beginning by slicing off the top portion of a large plastic bottle before inverting it to create a funnel to be placed into the lower section afterwards.
He added: “For the ingredients, you want to fill it with half a cup of water, half a cup of apple cider vinegar, half a cup of sugar and a few drops of washing up liquid.”
Griffiths’ next step involves stirring all the ingredients together using a spoon before positioning the funnel on top and securing it where necessary.
The Dobbies representative went on: “Add string if you prefer to hang it and place it where the wasps are most active.”
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Within his Instagram post’s caption, he warned: “Where possible wasps should be left alone and treated as the beneficial predators and pollinators they are.
“Unfortunately wasps can be a problem this time of year in gardens so management may be necessary.”
The gardening expert also maintained that as a beekeeper, you can “lose colonies of bees to wasps robbing hives or eating the bees at this time of year.”
His Instagram upload has accumulated 2.2 million views, 4,857 likes and over 800 comments, at the time of writing.
One follower commented: “I had no idea they would do that to bees. [You] learn something new every day.” Another contributed: “Yes – I also had no idea!”
A third said: “Put mine out a few weeks back – sadly had three bee nucs (nucleus colonies) destroyed by wasps already this year.”
Someone else shared their own trick: “If we’re sitting outside with any type of food, they come around instantly this time of year.
“I put a piece of lunch meat (turkey/ham/whatever you have) on a dish far away and the wasps go crazy for it and leave us be(e). Try it! It works.”
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