Yellowjacket invasion prevention planning

[moose]

After last summers apocalyptic Yellowjacket invasion I have already implemented plans to take the upper hand for this summer. Last year I came across info to prevent this from occurring, but the plan ideally begins early spring before the queens emerge. It utilizes boric acid and apple juice to take the fight to the queen and subsequently the nest. It does not involve the harm to honeybees, a requirement for me, and is generally safe if a pet/kids should gain access to the ‘kool-aid’
I encourage you to do an internet search - boric acid for yellowjackets and do your own research.

[Like2hike]

I just put my boric acid / apple juice traps out yesterday. I must be allergic because last year's stings took weeks to heal so I'm hoping this does the trick. My standard traps filled up every few days and seemed to make no dent in the number of ornery yellowjackets.

[moose]

I also put some in a shallow saucer on my kitchen counter when the ants showed up and it, so far, appears to be remedying that problem as well

[Tayberry]

Used this for three years. Boric acid powder from the do it center. Put in pop cans with a twig for them to crawl in. Works great!

[Reapward]

Are your pop cans full of pop or just have residue? Then powdered boric acid sprinkeled in?
I have the traps that work very well, with the cottonball, but that stuff is pricey.
I suppose I could saturate the cotton ball with apple juice and then sprinkle boric acid on.
And, is it time to put the traps out to get the queens?
Thanks.

[Like2hike]

The recipe I saw was dilute apple juice w/ water by 50% then add 2 tsp boric acid in 68 oz. total. Considering I just killed a wasp on my dining room table, I'd say it's go time lol.
I have more boric acid than I need so I'd be happy to share some with you.

[moose]

More complete info
I use 50/50 Apple juice/water with 1 teaspoon boric acid per half gallon
I fill empty cans (don’t recommend beer cans) approximately half full with a stick sticking out a couple inches from the top. It is best to check them, refill as necessary. Also bright colored cans seem to attract them better

Now is the time, Because the queens typically only come out at the beginning of the season, and those are the ones you want to drink the Kool-Aid. The stick is so they can get in and out of the can to drink the Kool-Aid, it does not kill them right away.
When the queen returns to her nest she will then feed this to the rest of the hive which will then poison them all. I went through 1/2 gallon of mixture last summer, as they drink it up pretty fast. This year we will see because I am hoping that I will not get the mass swarms

Good videos on u tube

[Tayberry]

MOOSE IS CORRECT. And it won't hurt bee's or my Monarch butterflies that I am trying to bring back each year.

[Reapward]

Thanks Joe. Just watched a good video on it. For cans he used pop cans. I don't drink pop, but I think if I rinse the beer cans really well they could work.
I am hoping since last year was such a massive invasion that we won't have as many this year. I'm taking no chances.

[LindaSchoemaker]

Marcella I'd love to get a bit of the extra boric acid from you. Can you please text me at two oh six 679 1642 with where I could pick it up? Thanks!