Have you been bothered by yellow jackets this time of year? Yes, they are a nuisance, especially as the weather gets cooler and their colony numbers swell. I doubt they realize their time is short, but nevertheless, they are aggressive in their pursuit of sugars and proteins. I never advocate using broad-spectrum spray insecticides as they end up killing far more beneficial insects than the few pests that are targeted. Instead, use bait traps throughout the summer and place them away from your patio, enticing bees and wasps there, and not to your food (or your perfume). You can also re-use a 2-liter bottle - just cut off the top third and place it upside down in the lower half. Then fill the lower half with soapy water, banana peel or a small peice of meat, changing it out every few days - then recycle the bottle. After growing their colonies throughout the summer, yellow jackets become much more noticeable in the fall. Remember, they are considered beneficial insects as they eat your garden-munching caterpillars during the summer. Wouldn’t you rather have them eating caterpillars rather than spraying your vegetables with chemicals?

Posted by Cynthia Druckenbrod