Wasps, wasps, wasps - what to do

[justme]

Thank you:.)

 

[Cazza]

Are orchard apiaries at more risk from wasps?

I would agree with Russel in thinking not. My apiary is in an orchard with plums, pears, apples and cherries. Wasps have been no problem this year so far despite there being a large nest 120m (ish) away in the eaves of my house. ( I am currently living with them unless they become a nuisance.)
Cazza

 

[Monsieur Abeille]

Thankfully a lot less wasps about this year and my bees with the help of a reduced entrance are coping well. Not even had to order any rat glue!

Repeating this link for any having real problems, a great little design by victor meldrew
http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6773

 

[richardbees]

Justme

All independent Hardware shops sell it by the tube

 

[Baggyone]

Father in law has huge numbers of wasps at one apiary but is getting hundreds in the traps. I am having a few but not enough to worry about BUT have a couple of decent apple trees in next doors garden.

Maybe the rotting fruit is more enticing and easier for the wasps.

Baggy

 

[Gardenbees]

I agree with RAB - there's no substitute for a really strong colony. If you've got several modest-sized colonies, unite 'em... and be bold when it comes to reducing entrance size. With OMFs, they don't need any ventilation from the entrance, only enough space for one or two bees side by side. It doesn't matter if they have to queue a bit. A tube would probably help too, but I still think entrance area is the most important factor.

Loads of wasps around isn't a problem UNLESS they are actually getting into the hive. Blatting a few bees at the entrance and/or making off with dead or dying bees isn't really an issue for colony survival... getting inside and hoovering out all the frames definitely is.

If there's a lot of hives full of brood and honey and the wasps can get in, I find that no kind of wasp trap will really work - you just can't compete with a strong-smelling boxful of delicious goodies. You can sometimes put them off at the entrance though: I discovered by accident that a mirror next to the entrance seems to confuse wasps without preventing bees from getting in. I think maybe the wasps rely more on sight, the bees more on smell. I notice that the wasps try to attack their reflections sometimes!