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How to Get Rid of Yellow Jackets

Clean up Food and Drink

Make sure that there are no spilled drinks or food items near your home or near the area in which you are eating. Yellow jackets are attracted to many foods that we eat, particularly items such as fruit drinks and sodas along with grilled meats. These are all highly attractive and can be smelled by the insects from several yards away.

Cover All Food and Drink

When drinking a beverage in an area that is frequented by yellow jackets, use an open cup rather than a can. The insects can easily fly into the small drinking hole on the top of the can to enjoy the sugary drink making it difficult for you to see the bee's intrusion.  If you are serving food, make sure that the food remains covered.

Yellow Jackets Love Trash Receptacles

You should stay as far away from trash bins as possible as they are popular feeding areas for yellow jackets. Keep the trash can covered, empty trash frequently, and dispose of any spilled food items in the vicinity.

Avoid Wearing Attractive Scents

Yellow jackets are attracted to smells from colognes, perfumes, shaving creams and lotions, as well as scented deodorants.

Look For Nests

If you find a nest around your home, make sure to call a pest control professional instead of handling the situation yourself. Yellow jackets are quite dangerous in swarms and should be avoided.

Buy Traps

Garden centers, hardware stores, and catalogs often sell non-toxic yellow jacket traps. These traps typically contain sugar water or another liquid that attracts the insects and causes them to drown in the fluid.