The WaspBane wasp trap bait system is pesticide, toxin and pheronomone free which means that the trap is safe for domestic use and disposal. The WaspBane wasp trap is a sophisticated scientifically engineered trap which means that not all baits will work with the trap. This section provides information on the bait system and how it works.

Bait Powders

The bait powders provided with the WaspBane wasp trap are not attractants and will not of themselves attract wasps. So for example, adding just water will not work. The WaspBane wasp trap requires that you add a suitable bait liquid (See below and also Section 2.2.1 Assembly). The purpose of the bait powders is to keep the bait that you add fresh so that the WaspBane wasp trap continues to work throughout the whole season. The five food grade powders (four in the bait chamber and one in the activator sachet provided separately) each play a different role. When wasps die in sufficient numbers in one place they emit a smell that repels other wasps. The bait system helps destroy these smells so that wasps are not repelled. The bait system also prevents the wasps (and other insects) from rotting which would cause the trap to stink and attract flies instead of wasps. The bait powders also help to draw water out of the insects that have been caught to replenish any water which may have evaporated from the WaspBane wasp trap. Another one of the powders helps to regulate the acidity of the WaspBane wasp trap because the bait system stops working if it is too acidic. Together the bait powders help to ‘compost’ down wasps that are caught over time so increasing the capacity of the WaspBane wasp trap thereby removing the need for maintenance and cleaning. If you don’t have to handle the trap you won’t get stung and that is another one of the signature safety features of the WaspBane wasp trap.

Bait Liquids

The WaspBane wasp trap requires that a suitable liquid be added to attract waps to the trap. Examples of suitable liquids are listed below. Not all liquids will work in the trap. So for example, artificially flavoured and /or artificially sweetened drinks such as colas, squashes and lemonades will not work. The reason for this is that the flavours and sugars are caught in the water part of the trap. The trap is designed to release aromas but also to capture evaporating water through condensation to stop the trap drying out. Unlike in an open glass, flavours and sugars caught in the water part of the bait do not leave the WaspBane wasp trap and therefore can’t attract wasps. Other liquids are also problematic for other reasons. Highly acidic liquids such as concentrated orange juice, pineapple juice, colas and well as vinegar stops the bait system from working. Similarly, fermentation as a process also stops the bait system from working because it leads to the formation of vinegar. Peppermint oil or cordial should not be used because this kills the bait system.

Preferred Liquids:

50/50 mix of lager (or sweet beer) and water and between 100 to 150g of honey (or 100g of honey and 100g of maple syrup, which must be authentic).

Pureed over ripe stone fruit (for example sweet varieties of white and black grapes or peaches/nectarines) with water and again 100 to 150g of honey.

Good results have been achieved using the above liquids. Please note that 100g to 150g of honey is between a half and three quarters of a standard jar of honey.

Other liquids may be tried and people have reported good results with pureed apples, pears, cider and jams. However, there have also been variable results reported with such liquids. Please bear in mind that if wasps are not sweet feeding they will not come to the trap and this is normal.

Problem Liquids:

Orange or other citrus juice.

Pineapple juice.

Squashes.

Colas, lemonades and other artificially flavoured or sweetened drinks.

Bitters.

Peppermint oil or cordial.

Bait System Performance:

In use the bait system will form a coffee coloured sludge in the bottom of the bait chamber and this is normal. If after setting the WaspBane wasp trap it stops working and there is no sludge in the bottom of the bait chamber check to see if you added the contents of the activator sachet. If the contents of the activator sachet haven’t been added then you can do so. Follow the instructions for dismantling the WaspBane wasp trap (See section 2.2.3 Maintenance) making sure that there are no live wasps in the WaspBane wasp trap before you start. Using a clean dry funnel, add the contents of the sachet and then add a further 100g to 150g of honey. Reassemble the WaspBane wasp trap and try again.  Please note that the bait chambers are provided with a silica sachet to keep the powders dry during storage. The silica gel should NOT be added to the bait.