Outdoor Ontario
Discussion => General Discussions => Topic started by: allanc on August 28, 2010, 02:14:30 PM
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We have a pole system in our backyard with 'branches' and about 7 feeders including 2 for the hummingbirds.
Typically, there are around 10 wasps swarming each of the hummingbird feeders.
What can I do about these wasps?
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This time of the year they are crazy like this. I have them hanging around more lately also. I have tried getting rid of them by the plum tree but to no avail. Only tip is to take down the feeder.
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This time of the year they are crazy like this. I have them hanging around more lately also. I have tried getting rid of them by the plum tree but to no avail. Only tip is to take down the feeder.
How about one of those red wasp traps hanging from a nearby sheppard's hook?
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They do catch lots of wasps but make sure to keep an eye on it as the liquid can evaporate quick with hot weather letting them escape.
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They do catch lots of wasps but make sure to keep an eye on it as the liquid can evaporate quick with hot weather letting them escape.
Is it a WMart item?
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Rono has them, not sure about walmart they usually get rid of summer stock by now and get stocked for fall.
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Rono has them, not sure about walmart they usually get rid of summer stock by now and get stocked for fall.
I tried Home Depot and Walmart without success.
However, Canadian Tire had a couple of items:
1.) 2 simulated wasp nests ~ $10 - wasps supposed to flee as it is not their 'nest'. Tried it - complete waste of money *and* I did not notice that the packaging said 'not to leave in the rain or it will spoil'. We hung it up really close to the hummingbird feeder. Like I said, it was useless anyway.
2.) Plastic Wasp Trap ~ $7. yellow plastic trap with 6 entrances (holes) and it is totally enclosed. You mix fruit juice, sugar and raw meat, fish or cat food in the container. Will set it up tomorrow and update this thread in a couple of days with results.
Add a Sheppard's Hook $28 - Yikes - not even discounted at this time of the year!
The wasp trap that I had years ago was a large red glass container sort of shaped like an upside-down funnel.
If I remember correctly it was actually open at the bottom and the wasps flew up and then for some reason could not fly 'down' the opening.
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Hey Allan,
Just a question:
Do you want to get rid off the wasps because they are bothering you, or because you think they may be bothering the birds?
Meghan
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Hey Allan,
Just a question:
Do you want to get rid off the wasps because they are bothering you, or because you think they may be bothering the birds?
Meghan
We have something like 7 feeders on this poll and branches and they are a bother when we try to refill any of the feeders (including the humminbirds').
We have not been stung ... yet.
However, the main concern is that they are swarming the hummingbird feeders themselves.
I am worrying that they may be scaring off my favourite birds.
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Re: simulated wasp nest...who on earth would manufacture an item, with this particular purpose, and it's not weather proof...LIGHTBULB...lol...I saw someone using a brown paper bag with the opening tied shut so it had that bulbous look...jury still out on it...my guess it's not weatherproofed either.
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Rono has them, not sure about walmart they usually get rid of summer stock by now and get stocked for fall.
RE: my $7 solution...
We have not put the raw meat in yet.
Several wasps approached as we were hanging it up.
Six *inside* with 1 minute.
Four hours later there are at least I would say about 20-30 inside.
Most are drowned (or pretending to be :)).
I have not seen any wasps around the hummingbird feeder in the past hour!
It is about noon and maybe they do not like the noon-day heat ... I really do not know.
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I have wasps all over my feeder.
But they and the Hummingbirds get along just fine.
The Hummers come in and check out where there is a free spot to feed.
Just like at flowers, some are occupied with wasps and ants, and some are available for the birds.
I have 3 feeds with 4 ports each so there is enough for all.
I clean and change the feeders in the late evening when everyone has dispersed for the night.
If the wasps are not causing a problem for the people who frequent my back yard, then I figure they can stay.
Meghan
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I have wasps all over my feeder.
But they and the Hummingbirds get along just fine.
The Hummers come in and check out where there is a free spot to feed.
Just like at flowers, some are occupied with wasps and ants, and some are available for the birds.
I have 3 feeds with 4 ports each so there is enough for all.
I clean and change the feeders in the late evening when everyone has dispersed for the night.
If the wasps are not causing a problem for the people who frequent my back yard, then I figure they can stay.
Meghan
We (humans) get nervous around the wasps.
My girlfriend really enjoys the backyard (flowers, plants, birds, etc.) during the day and the wasps definitely take away from the enjoyment.
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If you want a simulated wasps nest that is not a waste of money, it can stay out in the rain and not get ruined, you need to purchase the original product - The Waspinator. Sells for about $10 and is available at Wild Birds Unlimited on Dundas just east of Cloverdale mall.
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If you want a simulated wasps nest that is not a waste of money, it can stay out in the rain and not get ruined, you need to purchase the original product - The Waspinator. Sells for about $10 and is available at Wild Birds Unlimited on Dundas just east of Cloverdale mall.
Thanks for the tip.
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If you want a simulated wasps nest that is not a waste of money, it can stay out in the rain and not get ruined, you need to purchase the original product - The Waspinator. Sells for about $10 and is available at Wild Birds Unlimited on Dundas just east of Cloverdale mall.
We bought a Waspinator yesterday and I do not think that it is helping at all.
We have it hanging in the middle of a pole with two Sheppard's hooks attached.
The hummingbird feeders are hanging from each hook less than a foot away.
Maybe the Waspinator discourages wasps from building a nest nearby but it is not helping our particular situation which is keeping existing wasps away from hummingbird feeders.