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A wasp trap is one of the best ways to control these pests in an apiary when used in conjunction with a wasp nest. Strong bee colonies do not need human intervention and are able to fight off wasps themselves, however, weak hives cannot do this, especially if they have a wide entrance. If the beekeeper does not take any additional means of protection, the pests will not only rob the weak family, but also destroy it.
What harm do wasps do to bees
The presence of wasps in an apiary does not lead to anything good - a peaceful neighborhood between bees and these aggressive insects is impossible for the following reasons:
- Wasps rob bees with almost impunity in the autumn months, when the activity of the latter decreases under the influence of low temperatures. A particular danger at this time is represented by hornets, which easily make their way into the hive due to their large size and strength. After such raids, bees are left without food and can die in winter.
- Wasps are carriers of many infectious diseases. Climbing into the hive or contacting individual bees in the apiary, they are able to infect the entire family.
- During the nesting period, wasps steal bee larvae and catch the bees themselves in the apiary and beyond, paralyze the caught individuals and take them to their nests. There they lay eggs in them and then use them as food for their offspring.
In addition, wasps often sting people while pumping honey.
How to protect bees from wasps
It is possible to save bees from ruin by wasps both by active methods of control and by passive ones:
- Choosing a place for an apiary... The location of the hives depends on how much the bees will be pestered by the earthen species of wasps. It is recommended to place the apiary in areas with dense grass, without open clayey wastelands and ravines - these are the places the wasps choose for their burrows.
- Restricting access to the hive... First, it is necessary to close up all the cracks in the hive using a mixture of sawdust and PVA glue. Secondly, in the colder months, when the activity of the bees decreases, the hive entrance is narrowed. At the same time, a small hole is left through which the bees can crawl through, but the wasp will not pass.
- Placement of baits and traps... They are made in large quantities and placed throughout the site, renewing them from time to time.
- Destruction of a wasp nest.
How to get rid of wasps in an apiary
It is necessary to deal with wasps in an apiary in a comprehensive manner, combining various methods of protecting bees with active extermination of pests. The main measures for the prevention and control of pests are carried out in early spring and autumn, in September.
Wasp control measures in spring
The fight against wasps begins in spring. The first thing to do, as the snow melts, is to carefully examine the apiary and the surrounding area, observing the movement of the wasps. The easiest way to get rid of them even before they have time to reproduce, and for this it is necessary to find a nest and destroy it in advance.In addition, killing a female hornet family at this time of the year will lead to the death of the entire family - there will be no one to feed the young.
How to deal with wasps in an apiary in autumn
In August and September, the second stage of the confrontation with the wasps in the apiary begins. At this time, to combat them, traps are set and dug up the soil on the site and next to it. Of course, it is impossible to dig up all the adjacent vacant lots, however, you should pay attention to the following places:
- sandy "bald spots";
- soil with a high clay content;
- ravines.
Timely plowing of these areas helps to minimize the number of earthen wasps in the spring, which dig their burrows, primarily in sand and loose surfaces.
How to protect a hive from wasps
Fighting these insects involves blocking their access to the inside of the hive. To do this, it is necessary to close up all the cracks in the bee dwelling with the help of a variety of adhesives and putty.
Quite popular is a putty based on petroleum bitumen and clay, which you can make yourself:
- Water, clay and oil bitumen are taken in equal amounts.
- Water is poured into a metal dish and clay is added to it.
- The resulting mixture is thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous mass is formed. In this case, there is a constant heating of the solution over low heat.
- Oil bitumen is heated in a separate container.
- Then the substance is diluted with clay and mixed again, after which the putty is ready for use.
Putty is used to cover the cracks in the corners and the bottom of the hive. After 2-3 hours, it forms a dense crust through which the wasps cannot break through.
Wasp traps
The following types of wasp traps can be distinguished:
- Glue traps that are placed on the roof of the hive... The base of the trap is a fermented bait that attracts wasps. Insects that flock to the bait stick to the sticky surface and can no longer take off.
- Trap-traps from plastic or glass bottlesj. Volume is not important. Juices, beer and kvass are used to fill the trap. The action of the trap is based on the fact that it is difficult for insects that have got inside to find a way out in the form of a narrow neck.
- Glass jars and funnels traps... The principle of operation is approximately the same as that of bottle traps.
- Meat baits... About 150-200 g of meat must be hung out near the apiary and treated with chlorophos solution. Bees are not attracted to meat, but wasps will flock to it quickly. A bucket of water is placed under the bait. Individuals paralyzed by chlorophos will fall down and subsequently die in the water.
How to make a wasp trap with your own hands
Most often, traps made from plastic bottles are used in the fight against wasps. The manufacturing process is as follows:
- Cut off the narrow part of the bottle, about 10-12 cm.
- The cut part is placed inside the bottle, narrow end down. So, it will be difficult for wasps to get inside.
- 1/3 the container is filled with bait: wine vinegar, fermented compote, beer, kvass, mash, after which the trap is set near the hive.
- Wasps flown inside begin to drown in liquid. As the bottle is filled, it is cleaned, more bait is added, if necessary, and returned to its original place.
Instead of bottles, you can use a glass liter jar to fight wasps. A trap is made from it according to the following scheme:
- A plastic funnel is installed in the jar and secured with a rubber ring.
- About 30 g of sour fruit juice is poured into a jar, after which it is placed on its side on the roof of the hive. You can also place it on the ground.
- After 3-4 days, pests that have fallen into the jar are poured with water.Then the dead insects are removed, and the contents of the trap are updated and the jar is returned to its original place.
How to find a hornet's nest
It is recommended to inspect the site where the apiary is located and the immediate surroundings for the presence of hornets' nests in spring - it is easier to control pests at the very beginning of settlement, when they have not yet had time to multiply. These insects inhabit almost everywhere, potential refuges include:
- attics;
- abandoned buildings;
- cracks between buildings;
- awnings;
- hollows of trees;
- depressions in the ground (for some types of wasps).
The hornets' nest looks like a spherical cocoon of a grayish hue. You can find it in the following ways:
- Catch one individual, after putting on protective clothing and a mask, and attach a red thread to it. On this thread, they observe where the insect returns.
- The method is similar to the first, but there is no need to catch the insect. In the evening hours, it is necessary to select one wasp and carefully trace its path to the nest, while not getting too close to the individual.
- Early in the morning, a small piece of meat or fish is placed in the apiary, sprinkled with a handful of sugar. The bait will attract the attention of insects, after which they can be traced back to the nest itself.
Several methods for destroying a wasp nest
There are different ways to destroy hornets' nests, among which there are both humane and radical:
- Strong-smelling treatment... For this, kerosene, engine oil or gasoline, which is poured over the nest, are suitable. But they leave the exit open so that the wasps can fly away. After 2-3 hours, the wasp family will begin to leave the dwelling.
- Smoking out with smoke... Not far from the wasp nest, it is necessary to make a fire or set fire to rubber. In order to drive the wasps out of the nest, 2-3 treatments may be required, after which the empty nest is destroyed manually - burned or destroyed.
- Pouring boiled water... This method is best for destroying nests located in the ground. Liquid soap is added to the water, the solution is thoroughly stirred and the entrance is poured. The sockets located at a height must be removed. Then they are immersed in water for 20-30 minutes. This time is enough to destroy the wasps.
- Setting fire... One of the most radical ways to fight. This method is not suitable for nests attached to residential buildings and garden structures. Dwellings located underground are filled with gasoline and a lighted match is thrown at it. After 1-2 minutes, the nest will be destroyed along with the wasps.
- Filling the wasp nest with polyurethane foam... In this way, nests located in the gaps between houses are most often destroyed. The substance blocks the access to oxygen in a matter of seconds, which causes a quick death of the wasps.
- Spraying with "Dichlorvos"... A dense plastic bag is carefully put on the nest, quickly sprayed and closed, fixing the edges with tape or tying polyethylene to a knot. After 1-2 days, the package with the nest can be removed, after which the contents are either thrown away from home, or burned.
Regardless of the method for destroying the nest, before starting the procedure, you must take care of your own safety. Enraged wasps can greatly harm a person, therefore, it is not recommended to approach the wasp dwelling without gloves and clothing made of dense material, as well as a special beekeeper mask.
For more information on how to get rid of wasps in an apiary, see the video below:
Conclusion
The wasp trap allows you to get rid of pests located directly in the apiary or not far from it without harm to bees, but only with the correct selection of components. When making a trap, you should use ingredients that only attract wasps, otherwise bees will fall into them.In addition, the fight against these insects is recommended to be carried out in a comprehensive manner, which implies regular inspection of the site for the presence of hornets' nests and their subsequent destruction, taking preventive measures and installing baits.
