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Do Fake Wasp Nests Fool Wasps?

Last Updated (Friday, 07 August 2009 19:45) Written by Raymond Nakamura

Sting Operation

I'm starting to notice the wasps showing up in our garden, and wasp deterrents shaped like wasp nests showing up in the hardware store.

In the Bag

I have used various toxic methods in the past (the most effective being to call an exterminator), I am now in a kinder and gentler frame of mind. Somehow, somewhere, I'd heard about using an inflated paper bag as a deterrent. The idea being that the wasps see the nest as a rival and therefore avoid it. It seems like one of those "it's crazy enough that it just might work" scenarios, but I wanted some scientific evidence.

The Buzz

I've heard many people with anecdotal evidence that it worked. I tried it out once a while ago with mixed results. It seemed that so many other factors could be involved, including the wasps getting full, the weather changing, the food being removed (so the wasps weren't attracted any more). It's not a simple situation because of the many kinds of wasps, and their different behaviours which change under various conditions. People also seem to have trouble identifying flying insects when they are frantically swatting them.

Results?

I came across a commercial version made of material, which looks more like a an actual wasp nest (round and gray). They sent me a paper done for them by a consulting firm, testing the devices near wasp lures and they appeared to be effective. The data, however, only indicated the presence of absence of wasps without identifying the species or counting the number. As well, I still don't know if it is any better than a paper bag.

Expert Opinions

I contacted some entomologists and received responses from five. Only two had even heard of this practise, which was surprising to me. All were skeptical about its usefulness, though a few acknowledged it was an interesting idea. I guess that is the way a scientist is supposed to think about questions. And I guess you don't get big research grants to look at paper bags. One pointed out that he had not seen any evidence that species of local yellow jackets are especially territorial and that the one that makes a nest resembling a paper bag (confusingly known as the bald-faced hornet) is the least aggressive. Dr. Richard Ring expressed skepticism, but added, "after a 45-year career in entomology I never cease to be amazed by the new things I find out about insect biology and behaviour."

After getting stung in the head last summer, my daughter seems reluctant to participate in any wasp related studies. So if any of you have the inclination to do a controlled test of a paper bag or a commercial device, please share your results.

 

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Comments  

 
0 #9 It is great — Leah 2010-02-10 00:07
Is it in Australian where they have those little corks dangling off the rim of their hats to keep the flies away? But also the tricking thing about these situations is that things can change over time, so maybe they were going after the sugar water in the first place and eventually it had gotten used up or whatever. I think the behaviour of wasps changing over the course of the season, as far as what kinds of foods they are interested in.
my hummingbird would come close, but stopped using the feeder! Tried everything I could think of - including wasp catchers, but nothing worked. I hung a paper bag, and they were completely gone within 12 hours.
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0 #8 science world blog — Nathaniel 2010-02-10 00:04
I have had some pretty big nests (one in a large chestnut tree and a few under our backyard deck). But for the last couple of years I haven't had to. I have a real wasp nest that has been abandoned and still hanging in our carport.
I think the behaviour of wasps changing over the course of the season, as far as what kinds of foods they are interested in. But it depends on the kind. It's hard to evaluate with out repeating the circumstances. so,I don't know if the commercial fake wasps nests work,I would not be surprised if they do.
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-2 #7 Hat’s off — albert pinto 2010-02-03 21:04
Hat’s off. Well done, as we know that “hard work always pays off”, after a long struggle with sincere effort it’s done.
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albert pinto
Vancouver Flowers
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0 #6 works? — Raymond N 2009-09-12 05:53
That's interesting. The effectiveness of the paper bag in keeping away both wasps and the hummingbirds makes me wonder if it was moving around in the wind or something so that that was scaring them away rather than them "thinking" it was a nest. Is it in Australian where they have those little corks dangling off the rim of their hats to keep the flies away? But also the tricking thing about these situations is that things can change over time, so maybe they were going after the sugar water in the first place and eventually it had gotten used up or whatever. I think the behaviour of wasps changing over the course of the season, as far as what kinds of foods they are interested in. But it depends on the kind. It's hard to evaluate with out repeating the circumstances.
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0 #5 worked for me — Lindsey 2009-09-11 21:56
I have a hummingbird feeder that wasps recently took over. So much so, my hummingbird would come close, but stopped using the feeder! Tried everything I could think of - including wasp catchers, but nothing worked. I hung a paper bag, and they were completely gone within 12 hours. Seriously. Before that there were at least 2 on my feeder at any one time... I haven't seen a wasp on it since (its been a week now).

However, the bag also scared my bird away. I see it in its favourite tree, but he doesn't come to feed anymore.

So - yes it works, but apparently too well!
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0 #4 Swatting — Raymond N 2009-08-19 09:58
I have not noticed them become more aggressive with swatting an individual. I use my hat to swat them.
And sometimes I use the battery powered tennis racket things to make them go snap crackle pop.
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-2 #3 fake wasp nests — tim finagon 2009-07-26 13:50
The people who sell these fake nests claim that wasps are teratorial and won't build nests within 60 meters of another nest.Well I reasently destroyed 4 nests near my house and all were within 15 meters of each other so be prepared to buy a lot of these fake nests and get some for all your close neibours too. I think youd have to hang these things around your yard like patio lanterns to get any result.It's a scam!
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-1 #2 Old wasps nests — Barry-Vancouver 2009-07-16 12:43
I have toyed with the idea of making my own fake wasp nest for a few years. In past years, I have had some pretty big nests (one in a large chestnut tree and a few under our backyard deck). But for the last couple of years I haven't had to. I have a real wasp nest that has been abandoned and still hanging in our carport. Although I still have wasps visit my garden, I have not seen a new nest built in a few years.

So, I don't know if the commercial fake wasps nests work, I would not be surprised if they do.
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-1 #1 Wasp swatting — Lap 2009-07-15 11:33
Sorry, this does not have to do with fake nests.
Do they get more aggressive with the attempt of swatting them? Would you know how to shoo them away if they are searching for something around you?

Thanks,
Insect-phobe
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