How to: Meat Bee Trap

Some folks can live and let live in the garden, but meat bees push my limits! Here's simple, NO cost, NO chemical, way to make a trap for pesky meat bees ((ground dwelling yellowjackets) ) that can keep them from getting between you and that bite of juicy hamburger next time you BBQ.
Yellowjackets are aggressive insects that hide out in underground nests and recently, (yesterday) I heard, even in playground equipment where a friend's child was attacked and stung several times. ~~ Sue
It's simple, take a bowl of water,...add a T. or two of veg oil. String a thin slice of meat on a skewer and make sure it DOES NOT touch the water.
After two hours: The yellowjackets fall in by the dozens and can't get out because of the oil. Soon you have a safer environment outdoors....especially when you have guests and children around
Soon you have a safer environment outdoors....especially when you have guests and children, like this adorable grandchild, around.
Flea Market Gardening
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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  • Kim Kim on Mar 31, 2022

    I’m gonna guess the oil has something to do with them not being able to fly away? Once one is trapped or flightless it sends out a pheromone or signal for help to its surrounding nest. The wasps pick up that pheromone and search for the distress call…I think this might be why it works if it does🤷‍♀️

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  • Alice Alice on Jun 24, 2018

    Genius idea !!!

  • Joan Joan on Jun 19, 2019

    So what makes the yellow jackets fall into the water? I would think they would just feast on the meat, fly away and keep returning to feast again.

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