BBKA Forum

They have turned up at all apiaries and in the garden in numbers a month early this year. There is obviously a real problem in this area as over the last 3 or 4 years they have become a nightmare, maybe its the warm winters. I have killed numerous queens over winter and early spring with one colony having 12 queens trying to hibernate under the roof. Wasp traps going out tomorrow.

Same, here, but fortunately not in any numbers.
I installed Thornes Hive Gate (plus periscope) on most of my nucs last season. Thye are long tunnel entrances which can also be used on a hive (minus periscope). Very effective wasp deterrents, not cheap but a live hive of bees is worth 20x more.

They seem to be a problem in alternate years for us.
They have started to make an appearance though.
Still haven't got round to making some Steve's tunnel entrances but got the Mick Wasp Traps replenished this-afty though.

Have you found a good mix to attract the wasps into the containers?

Last year it was just syrup
This year I'm trying chopped banana peel,vinegar,and fermented honey added to water.
Yum.
It's claimed to attract waxmoth too.
The vinegar is said to repel bees.

Fishy water and custard is,er.. on the menu if that doesn't work.
Cheap cola and sugar didn't.
The swarm calls have mutated into wasp calls this week so pest control companies will now be making a bit of profit

I've used sugary water with jam and wet dog food!! Husband not keen but the maps like it!!

WASPS!!