Yellowjackets Don't Stand A Chance Against A Few Ingredients You Already Own

Understandably, many people see yellowjackets as a nuisance. Unlike their cousins the honeybees, yellowjackets may sting you even if you're minding your own business. Also unlike honeybees, yellowjackets won't lose their stingers after a single use, so they can sting you (and bite you) more than once if you get in their way. Yellowjackets may be attracted to your yard if they smell a source of food. They might appear if you leave sugary drinks in your trash can, if you're in the middle of a picnic, or if they find a source of water.

Although yellowjackets feed on certain pests such as caterpillars and other nuisances — making them surprisingly beneficial for your home garden — many homeowners still don't want them around. They can be aggressive, so taking steps to get rid of them is often the best choice. If you want to get rid of yellowjackets, there are ways to do it without a lot of time and effort, and you probably already have the ingredients you need.

To get rid of yellowjackets around your home, one of the best options is to make a DIY yellowjacket trap using a 2-liter bottle. Once you add several sweet and sugary ingredients that attract yellowjackets, they won't be able to resist this trap. Once inside, they'll fall into the water and be unable to escape.

To make a DIY yellowjacket trap, you'll need a few supplies: a 2-liter plastic bottle, water, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and a banana peel. Start by cutting off the top third of the 2-liter bottle. Then add 1 cup of water, 1 cup of apple cider vinegar, and a 1/2 cup of sugar to the bottle. Then, mix up the concoction. 

Once you've done this, place a banana peel in the bottle. Adding a bit of soap into the water can also help ensure the wasps will drown once inside. Once all of the ingredients are in your trap, add the top third of the bottle that you removed, placing it upside-down on top of the lower portion of the bottle with the cap off. Tape the edges between these two parts of the bottle to ensure there aren't cracks where a yellowjacket can get out.

Once complete, place the trap where you can be sure that yellowjackets will take an interest. Consider setting it up in the last place you saw some yellowjacket activity. Also, be sure to keep the trap away from pets and people since it may not smell great.

Although this DIY trap does a great job of trapping and killing yellowjackets, there are also ways to repel these pests. One of the best options is to use essential oils. Peppermint oil, in particular, does a great job of repelling yellowjackets. To use it, fill a spray bottle with water and then add 10-15 drops of peppermint oil. If you're spending some time on your patio or in your yard, spray this mixture to repel yellowjackets and keep them away from the area.

A more permanent solution is to add common garden herbs and some other new plants to your yard. Planting mint, thyme, and lemongrass are all great options since yellowjackets aren't too fond of the scents these plants produce. Adding some of these to an area where you commonly see yellowjackets can help keep your yard more permanently yellowjacket-free.