Wasps and hornets form a central part of the ecosystem but can be dangerous to have around a home. Both bugs sting when they think the nest is threatened and can attack and kill beneficial insects for gardens. When sharing a space with humans, they are a nuisance, and a potential major hazard to you and your guests when they’re present in the garden area. But what can be done to get rid of them? Glass Wasp Traps work pretty well at drawing wasps, yellowjackets, and hornets away and trapping them safely in a container where they can later be safely disposed.
In this article, we look at how glass wasp traps work, we consider their effectiveness, and look at a few of the top brands of glass wasp traps available on Amazon.
How a Glass Wasp Trap Works
The idea behind a glass wasp trap is that the pest will be attracted to a bait placed inside. A hornet or wasp will sense the material, fly into the container, and become trapped. Over time, the pest will either drown, die from heat, or die from a lack of food.
Most glass wasp traps work quickly and can be emptied by simply pouring the bait and any dead bugs out through the opening. Users need to remember to place the stopper which comes with the trap in the hole at the top.
When the bait is added, small quantities of the bait mixture will weep out through these holes, which acts as a signal to wasps and other undesirable insects that food is here. Wasps will enter the trap through smaller openings in the bottom and find themselves trapped, unable to exit.
Cleaning and Emptying the Wasp Trap
A glass wasp trap can be cleaned by pulling out the large stopper in the top and pouring in a mixture and soap of water to ensure that all the wasps inside are dead.
The user swirls it around until all areas are cleaned, and then they can pour out the cleaning solution when done. We recommend a concoction made of one part dish soap mixed with three parts water for the best effect.
Most people hang wasp traps around areas where humans will spend a lot of time outside. It’s not uncommon to see them in picnic spaces, parks, or even just on a regular patio. Since wasps find themselves attracted to a lot of human food, including sugary drinks, it’s important to have some sort of protection in place.
Especially since wasps do sting and can do so more than once, contrary to popular belief!
What Baits Work in a Glass Wasp Trap
Most stores do not sell official wasp baits that can be used in traps. Instead, we need to rely on our own ingenuity and DIY knowledge to create something attractive and reliable. Some of the most popular baits people can use include:
- A small amount of dish soap mixed with water
- Sugar water, or soda
- Diluted orange or cranberry juice
- A small amount of strawberry or raspberry jam
- Water and vinegar
- Diluted laundry detergent mixed with water
The ideal bait will be something sweet and fruity, but for some reason, wasps and hornets will also pursue certain types of soap. The mixture does not need to be poisonous since a glass wasp trap works by catching the bug and trapping them until they die.
Try Different Baits
Depending on what exactly you’re trying to catch in your traps, and where you are located, certain baits will work better than others. If you find your wasp trap isn’t catching anything that you want to catch, be sure to change up the bait, and try waiting several days to allow the wasps time to track down the bait. Experiment and see what bait is best for your environment.
Also, be sure not to ignore meat as a possible bait for wasps! Some wasps are carnivores (and even cannibals!), so depending on your environment, you may find that meat is actually more attractive to the wasps around you than sugar water.
Bees in the Glass Traps
Most people don’t want to catch bees in their traps, as bees are typically not particularly aggressive toward people, and they are super beneficial to the ecosystem. We should all be working to keep the bee population as healthy as possible.
If you find that your trap is catching bees (furry yellow creatures) as opposed to the armor-plated, scary looking wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets, switch your bait over to a meat.
Bees are not attracted to meat, as they are not omnivorous (except some species in India), while the “problem” insects are. With luck, the use of meat as bait will attract wasps and yellow jackets, will keeping the bees free to do their good deeds and help make your garden bloom.
Why Glass for Wasp Traps?
This is a question we often encounter, and there are a couple of reasons why someone might prefer glass to a more traditional plastic. First and foremost, glass is considered more beautiful and exquisite. You’re going to have these things hanging in your patio and garden. Would you rather have ornamental glass traps that are reminiscent of a lantern, or a cheap plastic thing?
Glass makes for a more elegant decoration to any backyard or patio and comes in a variety of colors so people can customize as they see fit.
Another reason individuals choose glass is so that it’s pretty easy to see inside to determine whether or not any wasps have fallen for the trap. It’s also easier to see if there needs to be a bait refill since the user doesn’t have to open it to check.
This also avoids the occasional problem of having a furious, panicked wasp flying out of the opening. Believe us, it has happened. More than once.
Best Glass Wasp Traps
Glass wasp traps haven’t always been popular but have gained more attention lately, especially since and more and more styles are available. Some of the best glass wasp traps currently on the market are:
Toland Home Garden
Toland Home Garden sells several different glass wasp traps, with many different colors to choose from, and two different sizes. Most find that the larger sizes work best for wasps, while the smaller ones are better for fruit flies and other similar pests.
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Whimsical Garden
Whimsical Garden’s Wasp Traps are especially cool because they include a solar light as well! These act as both wasp traps and solar hanging lights and will look great during the day, catching your wasps, and during the night, gently glowing, lighting up your garden.
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Esschert Design
Esschert Design is a cool brand, makers of many outdoor goods like bird houses and bird feeders, and glass wasp traps as well! They sell a few different sizes, and it’s generally best to stick to the larger ones if you’re looking to capture wasps and hornets, as opposed to fruit flies and the like.
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WaspFix Crystal Wasp Trap
These attractive wasp traps are available in four different colors and can hang easily from a branch or hook. They attract wasps through the bottom hole, and the wasps become trapped, unable to find their way out of the trap.
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Since all of the models are glass or some sort of crystal, it’s important to handle them carefully so they don’t break. The majority come with a simple wire loop used for hanging the trap, but it’s also possible to set them on a table if a suitable hanging space isn’t around. Just be sure that the trap entrance on the bottom of the wasp trap is raised off the table to enable wasps and yellow jackets to enter and get trapped!
Conclusion: Glass Wasp Catchers for the Garden
A glass wasp trap is an inexpensive but beneficial way to keep these stinging menaces away from porches and other outdoor areas. While they aren’t a catch-all solution to wasp problems, they can make humans and pets safer and more comfortable in any outdoor environment. They also help give space for bees to do their thing in your garden, as the wasps often prey on bees.
Plus, the glass ensures the trap looks great, makes it easy to clean, and comes in a variety of colors and styles.
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