Adeline Olmer
- Aug 18, 2023
- 2 min read

Yellow Jacket are out and biting—Get rid of them in 3 days

August marks the beginning of the end of summer. It is my favorite time of the year and it always seems to go by way too fast.

When the yellow jackets show up and make their presence known by hounding everyone sitting outside, I get frustrated. These are the last days and I don’t want to be harassed by hungry yellow jackets.

Here are a few tips that will help:

Do not swat at stinging insects; that will only make them more aggressive.
When you are outdoors, wear light-colored clothes. Avoid bright colors and floral prints.
Do not use scents such as perfumes, detergents, or dryer sheets.
Make certain that your food is covered. And clean up any spills.
Never remove a wasp nest yourself.

These are good tips but I found one that really works.

I don’t love killing things. You won’t find me chasing yellow jackets with a newspaper in hopes of sending them to the next life. I’m too afraid I’ll miss a hungry wasp and then I’ll have an angrier one chasing me for revenge. It’s happened.

When I found this potion, I was excited to try it and see if it really works. It does!

Wasp & Yellow Jacket Potion

Large 2-liter plastic bottle. Cut an opening on the side near the top so bugs can enter.

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup apple cider vinegar

1 banana peel

4 cups water

Pour ½ cup water into the bottle
Add sugar
Shake the liquid until the sugar is dissolved. Add the apple cider vinegar and shake well.
Add the banana peel. (Decaying fruit attracts them.)
Add water until bottle is half full.
I place it within ten feet of where we sit.
Note: It takes a few days for this concoction to ferment enough to attract the bugs.

You should be warned it is a bit yucky to see all the bodies floating at the bottom of the bottle, but being harassed by the yellow jackets and black wasps isn’t fun either.

I’ve been using this concoction for years, it really works. I urge you to try it.

Do you have any home remedies that work; I’d like to hear. Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Enjoy your August.

Note: I do not remember where I found this recipe so I’m sorry to say, I cannot give the originator credit.

"I had a great time during both the chili class and the lentil soup class. Although both of these are on my "go-to" comfort food list, I learned some interesting twists to both dishes...and I have to admit that your lentil soup recipe is better than my mother's!"

—Carmella Dellaporte