To review the September newsletter CLICK HERE
GardenSMART Newsletter Signup
 
Visit our Sponsors! encore azalea Dramm
Visit our Sponsors and win.
GardenSMART :: How To Yellowjacket-Proof Your Outdoor Event

How To Yellowjacket-Proof Your Outdoor Event

By Rescue!
Photographs courtesy of Rescue!

You've carefully crafted your charcuterie board, the lavender-infused lemonade is chilled in a glass dispenser, and the salmon canapés are plated and passed by the servers. But just as your guest reaches for one of these mouth-watering eats, a yellowjacket swoops in to crash the party and impart a painful sting. Pinterest never prepared you for these pests!

GardenSMART Article Image

Whether it's a barbecue, picnic, backyard gathering, food truck festival or an outdoor wedding reception, party planners should consider their insect control strategy as carefully as the menu.

Yellowjackets are the insects that pose the biggest threat to any outdoor gathering with food and beverages. From mid-July on, yellowjacket workers are sent out from the nest in search of protein and carbohydrates. They can travel up to 1,000 feet away to find sustenance – that's a distance of three football fields!

Here's a checklist for keeping your guests safe and yellowjacket-proofing your next outdoor event:

Four to seven days out:

Set Reusable Yellowjacket Traps and/or Disposable Yellowjacket Traps up around the perimeter of the venue in advance of the event. Hang them at least 20 feet away from the area where the food will be served or guests will be gathered.

GardenSMART Article Image

If you find a yellowjacket or hornet nest near the venue, call a professional to remove it.

Prepare a sting relief kit for use in case a guest is stung by a yellowjacket:

  • Sting relief wipes to clean the wound area.
  • Small zipper-lock bags to hold ice and apply it to the sting site.
  • Topical antihistamine such as Benadryl.
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) for pain relief.
  • Make sure guests who are allergic have Epi-pens at the ready, just in case.

The morning of the event:

Dump out the insects caught in the Reusable Yellowjacket Traps and replace with fresh attractant.

Fill new Disposable Yellowjacket Traps with water and hang them at least 20 feet away from the activity area.

GardenSMART Article Image

One hour before guests arrive:

Set up Yellowjacket Repellent DecoShields around the tables where food and beverages will be served, and in the middle of each table where guests sit to eat. (Bonus: These repellent devices have a decorative appearance and use pleasant-smelling, all-natural essential oils!)

GardenSMART Article Image

As the event starts:

Have a basket of Yellowjacket Repellent GoClips for guests to take and wear – consider them party favors!

 


All articles are copyrighted and remain the property of the author.

Article URL:
https://www.GardenSMART.com/?p=articles&title=How_To_Yellowjacket-Proof_Your_Outdoor_Event


Back to Articles List                               


   
 
FEATURED ARTICLE
GardenSMART Featured Article

By Laura Root
Photos courtesy of Jackson & Perkins

Gardeners are always thinking ahead to the next season or the next year. And, fall is the ideal time to think about spring. Flowering shrubs, perennials and spring bulbs are great choices. Click here for an interesting article about spring bulbs.

  Click here to sign up for our monthly NEWSLETTER packed with great articles and helpful tips for your home, garden and pets!  
   
   
   
 
   
Copyright © 1998-2012 GSPC. All Rights Reserved.