Help! I need some help controlling these hungry creatures devouring my Monarch Caterpillars. I'll never find THE nest, as I'm sure there are many on my property (I live in Condo). I'm interested to know if anyone has used anything that actually WORKS in trapping them. I have a decorative glass (bee hive looking) container with an opening at the bottom. You fill the inside container 'lip' with sugar water to attract the wasps. The idea is that they get in, but can't then escape...so they die. So far..after 2 weeks, no captured wasps; yet they carry off my baby Monarch caterpillars every day! I even have an 'electric' bug zapper thing that looks like a tennis racket. I use that when I'm out there, but very difficult to swat them as they travel so fast. Does anyone have any other ideas? I've never been stung by one...that's not my fear. I'm just tired of them carting off my baby Monarch caterpillars. At any given time, there are approximately 4 or 5 swarming about my patio. I'm sure they can smell my caterpillars, and are looking for a protein feast! Any advice would be greatly appreciated. :)
Well, coming from someone who appreciates and observes wasps not only in their native habitat, but also in captivity (yes, I have wasps as pets...they surprisingly all have their own personality and character!) I'd recommend fashioning an all mesh (you could use screen door material) box, supported with some lumber. All you need is a hammer, some nails, a staple gun, and some wood. Also, keep in mind, that right now all the young foundresses are looking for a place to build their new nest, so keep a look out for young nests. If you find any, there are protocol you can follow as to not disturb nature "too much." But I don't think I need to go through that!
Yes there are wasp traps available commercially, that entice them into a glass sphere partially filled with sugar water or sweet fizzy drinks, and they fall into the liquid, and perish! Alternatively, you can partially fill a glass milk bottle or a plastic 2 litre pop container,with the aforementioned and they will plummet to their sugary/syropy death! Be sure to spill a little sugary nectar on the rim to entice them!
Thank you, K Baron and Laticauda for your replies! K Baron...I almost laughed out loud when you said you have these creatures as pets! I respect your 'love' for them, but...OMG! I guess I need to broaden my horizons and learn to 'respect' them too. Maybe they offer benefits I don't know about! The idea of the mesh 'cage' is interesting...though that wil inhibit the Monarch from laying her eggs (and the hatched Monarchs from flying to freedom). I also have some kind of beetle sucking all the juice out of the leaves on my stand of flowering pears...I'm sure someone loves those little guys too! lol Laticauda...I appreciate your input as well. I went to Home Depot and bought one of those commercial trappers ($15...needs new attractant every 2 wks). We'll see if that works better than my 'sugar water'. BTW...I DID capture my very first wasp in that just today (the sugar water in the glass..not the commercial one)!! Boy...was I excited! lol That didn't take care of the other dozen or so that are eating my Monarch caterpillars. Maybe I should relax a little, and just enjoy nature working like it's supposed to. But boy...that's difficult sometimes, isn't it. Again..thank you both for your input. I'll follow-up and let you know if the commercial trapper does any better. Thanks, again...both of you! :)
Hmmm... I am LOL as It wasn't me who adores wasps... I am on the same page as you, trying to reduce their presence, but only from my sundeck... but I agree they have an integral purpose, and they have the right to eat and proliferate alike, though they are pesky around food!
Luckyfish. Bees fine! Yellow jackets and wasps - No! What kind are they? Maybe they are like Yellow jackets and go thru two different cycles of food. I can't remember which comes first w/ jackets but at one period they like the sugar stuff, but at the other time they actually eat meat. When they go after you during this period, they bite - not sting. Try putting out bits of hamburger as a lure. Maybe that will 'save' your butterfly larva. It's worth a try......barb
