Dining al fresco is part and parcel of British summertime, making sure we soak up enough sun before it decides to retreat for the winter. However, a common problem people may face is the constant buzzing and swatting of wasps, which are attracted to the smell of food.
To help to capture any rogue wasps flying around your outside dinner, garden designer and TikTok creator Ish shared how you can make your own natural trap in just minutes. In a recent video, Ish explained you only need three natural ingredients from the kitchen, as well as a large empty bottle of fizzy drink. He wrote in the caption: “Wasps can be an utter nuisance around your garden when food and drink are out at a BBQ or meal, so if all fails to keep them away (like citronella candles and lemongrass or fake nests) you can make your own wasp trap!”
He continued: “It should be noted that wasps are also accidental pollinators and beneficial for your garden by eating aphids too. So if you do find yourself resorting to this after trying citrus or other natural ideas then I strong advise to do so only when you’ve got food and drink nearby as a LAST RESORT. And don’t leave them out to catch them when you’re not outside.”
Instead of throwing away your two litre-sized bottle of fizzy drink, rinse it thoroughly after it’s finished and keep it for this wasp trap. You’ll also need some sugar, water and apple cider vinegar, as well as some garden wire.
Using scissors or a sharp knife, cut off the top part of the bottle, inverting it into the bottle to make a funnel. Ish said: “What will happen is the wasps can easily get in, but they find it almost impossible to get out.”
Mix equal parts sugar, water and apple cider vinegar and pour it into the trap. Ish explained: “The sugar water alone is enough to entice it in, but the reason I like to add the apple cider vinegar is, on its own, it’s not attractive to wasps, but mixed in with a bit of sweetness and they go absolutely mad for it.
“However, bees still don’t like the smell of this. So while it’s trapping the wasps, luckily the bees are not interested.”
Once the ingredients are added to the bottle, Ish advised to give them a good swish around. Just be careful not to be too aggressive.
Then replace the funnel-lid. Pierce a hole through the side of both the bottle and funnel, hooking in the garden wire to make a handle.
The garden wire will help the contraption stay together, and also allow the trap to be hung anywhere in your garden. Ish continued: “Another perk of the apple cider vinegar is, because it’s yellow, it’s a more attractive colour for those wasps, so they’ll go for this.”
He advised to hang the trap on the edge of your outside dining area, avoiding hanging it too close so as to not ‘compete’ with the smell of the food.