Yellow jackets at campground

[jarata1]

We were thinking of going to Maine this summer when I was told one of the campgrounds I'm interested in has a serious yellow jacket problem.
Does this seem right and what is the best way to handle this problem

[Uncle_Rj]

My wife's allergic so we are always extra careful.

We hang a fake wasps nest from the awning as we are setting up and then put out a few homemade traps.

The traps are simple to make, just take a plastic pop bottle and cut the top off just before it starts to get smaller in size (cut piece will look like a funnel). Invert this and either staple or tape it into the bottom of the bottle. Add a bit of apple or orange juice and either hang it up or put it somewhere away from where you eat. The wasps get in and can't get out.

And as so many others have said, never leave a drink un attended or open.

[Wills6_4_Hemi]

I have been stung hundreds of times. Every time I bushhog one of my fields I hit a nest and Pi$$ them off and the next time around I feel them before I see them. I hate those suckers. I know everything is supposed to have a place in nature but I think we could do without them mean little suckers.

[hbrady]

Been there many times and (as jnharley pointed out), tics and Lyme disease are much bigger concerns. Be sure to use bug spray with deet and do a daily tic checks. The small deer tics are very hard to spot but as long as you remove them within 24 hours you will be good.

[jnharley]

We stayed at Sabego Lake (state park) last September and did not encounter any yellow jackets. There were tons of ticks though. This is a campground for small RVs. There are lots of low hanging trees. Nice lake access though.

[FULLTIMEWANABE]

No Cost Most Effective Wasp (yellow jackets) Trap My Grandmother Taught Me And Still Used Decades Later By All In Our Family: Collect Empty Jam (Preserves) Jars, wash and rinse, punch holes in lid just big enough for the wasps to enter into the jar; spread some preserve on the inside of the lid and fill jar half way with water. Once the wasp enters through the hole to access the preserve spread on the inside of the lid, they can't exit back out due to the hole being punched from the outside in and the jagged edge on the inside. Spread several around, hanging on tables etc, you'll be amazed how many you'll catch.

We've used this method for untold decades on our family farms and acreages passed down from generation to generation. Our daughters are now doing the same around their decks and yards when needed.

[crosscheck]

One bit of advice, please empty your pop/beer can contents into an open glass/plastic container. Do not leave it unattended and come back for a big drink if yellow jackets are around.

Wife left her can outside for a moment while on the phone(yea, go figure), came back and had a swig. Lucky she didn't swallow the yellow jacket. Bit her on the inside of mouth and it looked like somebody took a baseball bat to her face.

Dave

[Old-Biscuit]

2012Coleman wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:

They would grab a piece of hotdog and try to lift off. If too big/heavy they would nibble it down a bit and try to lift off again---repeat until they had MAX Payload and still be able to fly away.

Those yellow jacks are never good at calculating their payload.

Kinda reminded me of many folks that tow overweight and call it Good!

[2012Coleman]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

They would grab a piece of hotdog and try to lift off. If too big/heavy they would nibble it down a bit and try to lift off again---repeat until they had MAX Payload and still be able to fly away.

Those yellow jacks are never good at calculating their payload.

[RoyB]

We have run into them many times camping. They sure know what the sound of opening a coke can is haha... Phissest and here they all come running...

Mean little buggers

We carry the large can wasp spray with long distant spray nozzle and keep it right inside the door area... Also have an AX handle there as well... Great for bugs and perhaps the two legged type creatures trying to get in your door...

Roy Ken

[jarata1]

Thanks for advise
The campground I was looking at was the state campground on sabago lake

[Alabama_Jim]

As one who was attacked by yellow jackets and had them hanging all over my back, I would say keep a fogger handy and kill everyone of the little buggers you can. Those critters can hurt, known by experience.

[Dick_B]

Were they all beef hot dogs?
Somewhere I read to hang a few zip loc bags with clear water around. the YJ are attracted to the glistening water but get frustrated since they can't get to the water and move on. If that works let us know.
I kinda like the jug idea but need to know what hot dogs to buy.

A quick Google search reveals another method to keep them away and that is to spread slices of cucumber around the area. It's acidic and the bugs don't like that. Just sayin'.

[Oasisbob]

Just because they were there last season is not a guarantee they will be back. Campers are usually their own worst enemy tossing food in the bush's, generally leaving invites. We keep a yellow jacket trap in the cmper and hang it just out of camp if we see them.

[Old-Biscuit]

We use to go to Kings Canyon in CA......lots of Yellow Jackets would show up at meal time.

At first it was a bit disconcerting. Then I happened upon a 'work around'.
We just invited them to eat with us.

We would take a hotdog and cut it up into small bits, place it on a paper plate and then set it out about 20' away.
They would gather at the plate nibbling away on pieces, flying off with bits while we eat our breakfast/lunch/dinner and enjoyed watching them.

They would grab a piece of hotdog and try to lift off. If too big/heavy they would nibble it down a bit and try to lift off again---repeat until they had MAX Payload and still be able to fly away.

They enjoyed the hotdogs, we enjoyed our meals and didn't have any issues.

No need to KILL
Worked for both of us...win/win