RESCUE! Reusable Yellowjacket Trap - 2 Pack + 2 Ten-Week Refills

Evil buggers would take over our deck every time we BBQ'd. I searched, and could not locate a nest anywhere. Time for these things to go. I had used the Rescue fly traps with much success, so I decided to purchase their yellowjacket trap. It was inexpensive and the reviews were promising, so I figured I didn't have much to lose...except for a few yellowjackets. I was hopeful. If you've ever purchased the Rescue FLY Traps, or their fly attractant in the past, then you know that adding attractant should definitely be done outside. Knowing what their FLY bait smells like (rotting flesh), and NOT knowing what yellowjacket attractant would smell like, I thought it would be a good idea to put the trap together outside, and decided to set it up, of course, by said BBQ, so I could watch my new trap catch these creatures from hell. It was quick and easy to put together, and even got the attention of a few yellowjackets who appeared out of nowhere to investigate. But while they flew around the trap, they didn't, wouldn't, or couldn't figure out how to enter. So back into the house I went to grab a piece of old lunch meat I had been planning to throw out, and brought it back outside with me. DO NOT DO THIS. Don't make this mistake at home, because the instant I approached the trap with a single slice of processed turkey breast, I was swarmed. Three yellowjackest suddenly turned into thirty. I opened the trap back up, and threw the lunchmeat into the trap, shaking my head and hands the entire time so they wouldn't land on me. Got bit once, thankfully I am not allergic. I quickly screwed the bottom of the trap in place, and tied it back up to the deck railing, and then stepped back to watch. Okay, the the sheer numbers of yellowjackets that showed up were not the paltry group that had invaded our BBQ's Those original buggers quickly told all their friends, and the word spread out in yellowjacket land that there was a slice of processed turkey breast to be had, and they all wanted it. They buzzed around the trap, trying to figure out how to get in. FREE FOOD! They fought with each other to get in through the small holes in the bottom of the trap. Once in, a few of them tried to block the entrance for other comers. Some tried coming in two abreast. And once in, they grabbed a piece of the prized processed meat and flew upwards through the cone, and on to what they believed would be freedom. SIKE!! No freedom for you!! They hit the top of the trap and buzzed around. As they tried to escape, they continued to greedily hold firmly on to their tiny pieces of meat, refusing to let go. And more continued to come, and more, and more. The new arrivals didn't seem to notice their compadres trapped inside. If they did notice, they didn't care. They selfishly were only concerned about getting their piece of the pie...or of the meat as it were. As time passed, the first arrivals finally accepted their fate, dropped their little piece of meat, and clung to the walls of the trap, eventually falling to the bottom where a good amount of no longer wanted meat was now collecting. And still more came. By nightfall, most activity stopped. In the morning, those that had entered the night before were dead, but a host of new arrivals were coming. By the end of the second day, the trap was half full...and still they are coming. This evening I ordered another trap so I can take the first down to empty it without depriving any of the still free yellowjackets of their opportunity of free meat. That just wouldn't be fair, now would it? In all seriousness, this trap works, and works WELL, for what we always called, "Meat Bees", those pesky creatures that invade picnics and BBQ's, any time there is any sort of meat around. They are aggressive and nasty, and they can sting multiple times. It is impossible to enjoy being outdoors with a plate of food if they are around. I understand that the attractant that comes with the trap might work better in the spring when the queens are out; but in the summer (end of August for me), that meat is the bait to use. That worked. It also makes for a great science project, as detailed above. The first two photos are after 15 minutes, the third one 30 minutes, the 4th is one hour later, and the last photo is 24 hours later. And they are still coming. I still haven't found the nest.

I think the photo speaks volumes, so just look at that. Beyond the photo, I'll note a few things: 1) This is full of hornets but no bees, and I have a lot of bumblebees and honeybees in the same exact area. 2) This and other traps are still trapping hornets after a month. 3) These are super easy to empty and reuse with refills - just be sure to wear gloves and be far from a hornet nest while refilling. Then, dispose of those gloves and the packaging somewhere far from a hornet nest. I tried 3 different hanging traps, and these have been the most effective at trapping hornets by far. A sticky trap caught hornets, but unfortunately caught bees, so I stopped using that. I can't recommend these enough.

So here recently I’ve noticed a lot more yellow jackets on my porch and throughout the yard, which made me scared to leave my own house. Opening the door was always a gamble cause I never knew if there was going to be a yellow jacket flying around that day. Anyways, after being stung and realizing how potent their venom is, with all the lingering effects (lasting for 5-7 days), I just could not risk one of my kids becoming victims to these flying demons. I thought, surely these traps would do the trick. Sadly, the attractant only worked for 3 days, then quickly wore off. I knew this because approximately after 3 days of having the traps up, they stopped catching more yellow jackets. I had been counting the number of yellow jackets in each trap at the end of each day. I was able to catch 12 in one and 8 in the other. I followed the instructions and placed the traps in well ventilated areas, about 4-5 feet off the ground. The contraption itself is pretty good. As far as I can tell, there have been no escapees. Just for the fact that I have chickens, it wasn’t a complete waste of money for me. Because at the end of the day, I can empty out the trap full of dead yellow jackets and feed them as treats to my chickens. I’m gonna try to fashion my own bait and continue using the traps. From what I’ve researched, they are drawn to sweet rotting fruits like bananas and sugar water. I just put that concoction in one of the traps last night. So far I’ve caught nothing, but I will post an update if I discover a more potent attractant than the one they supply with this. Because 12 and 8 are not very impressive numbers when you are talking about flying demons. Oh and also, I know that the diminished number of yellow jackets in the traps is not because they’re completely eradicated. Because I have still been seeing 2-3 flying on my porch, and I have also found a couple holes in my yard, just a few feet away from one of the traps, where they have been flying in and out of. So yea, I still have a yellow jacket problem in my yard. All in all, I’d say 1) DIY a cheap trap at home, or 2) If you’re lazy or too busy, just buy these traps without the bait (it’s much cheaper without the bait). Also, what I find very confusing about the bait is how they say “2 weeks worth of bait.” So does that mean each packet of bait is supposed to last for 2 weeks? Or are you supposed to get 2 packets of bait, that last 1 week per packet??? A lot is very unclear. Even some of the instructions are vague. Just so NOT worth $25

The attractant provided does not seem to work for the wasps attacking our raspberries. Works a little better with jam, but is not as good as much cheaper/simpler wasp traps bought in local hardware shop. Fiddly to use, too.

Does not catch Wasps 3 weeks not caught a single one as you can see in attached photo another £39 wasted.

Did nothing that it said on the tin...!! Not one wasp caught...!!