Hi, I’m feeding 2 outside cats on our back deck overlooking our ten acre property. We’re in the country, but not completely isolated. Last year I had maybe 3-4 yellow jackets to contend with every time I fed. This year it’s more like 15. It’s enough that it feels like they’re swarming. I‘m surprised I haven’t been stung yet because I‘m getting fairly aggressive with them. I stand over the cats while they eat and wave my arms all around their dish. Sometimes I even feel my hand hit a yellow jacket. I even give them a little food of their own thinking they will settle there. Well, no, anywhere the cat food is, they want to go. If they actually land in the cat bowl, I smash them with my spoon if I can get them.
As far as the nests being impossible to find, that’s not necessarily true. You have to walk the area looking for bees swarming just above the ground. Eventually you’ll see the hole they’re coming in and out of. Then as someone suggested, use gasoline to terminate the colony. We don’t light the gasoline and it still always works. My husband has wiped out two nests I think. This year’s nest is harder to find. We have too much of a back yard. Any time we’re outside though, we’re always keeping an eye out for them.
Would it be possible —since I’m already waving them away— to use a bug zapper paddle? My husband says probably not because it would have to be a direct hit. He thinks this might really agitate them. Like I said, no far no stings. I can’t just put food out, knowing I’m feeding the yellow jackets while the cats go hungry.
Also, I’m not understanding the comments about the corn oil. Would I smear it on the outside of the bowl? Would that keep the bees away? Seems like they would just zero in on the food and ignore the oil.
I’d appreciate any help with this as I’ve decided that I’m going to war with the yellow jackets. They aren’t going to win.
Yellow jackets at feeding station
Reference to the use of corn oil in previous thread.
As far as the nests being impossible to find, that’s not necessarily true. You have to walk the area looking for bees swarming just above the ground. Eventually you’ll see the hole they’re coming in and out of. Then as someone suggested, use gasoline to terminate the colony. We don’t light the gasoline and it still always works. My husband has wiped out two nests I think. This year’s nest is harder to find. We have too much of a back yard. Any time we’re outside though, we’re always keeping an eye out for them.
Would it be possible —since I’m already waving them away— to use a bug zapper paddle? My husband says probably not because it would have to be a direct hit. He thinks this might really agitate them. Like I said, no far no stings. I can’t just put food out, knowing I’m feeding the yellow jackets while the cats go hungry.
Also, I’m not understanding the comments about the corn oil. Would I smear it on the outside of the bowl? Would that keep the bees away? Seems like they would just zero in on the food and ignore the oil.
I’d appreciate any help with this as I’ve decided that I’m going to war with the yellow jackets. They aren’t going to win.
Yellow jackets at feeding station
Reference to the use of corn oil in previous thread.
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