Wasp

We study seasonal activity and foraging distance of western yellowjacket (Vespula pensylvanica) to help to determine the best practices for baiting technique.

2. Use of baiting for yellowjacket IPM

In a collaborative project with University of Californaia Cooperative Extension, we experimentally incorporate the monitoring / baiting program for yellowjacket IPM in a recreational part in Irvine, CA. 

Following video shows a baiting trial at a research site in Irvine, CA.

Recently, we assessed the utility of a commercially available polyacrylamide hydrogel as an alternative bait material for yellowjacket baiting. The experimental bait (hereafter referred to as ‘hydrogel bait') consisted of diluted chicken juice (from canned chicken meat) and fipronil (0.025%, wt/wt) absorbed into granular polyacrylamide hydrogel particles. Three separate 24-h baiting trials were conducted at two different field sites with the western yellowjacket, Vespula pensylvanica (Saussare), as the target species. The monitoring data from pre- and posttreatment periods indicated that baiting with polyacrylamide hydrogel baits provided ?74–96% reduction in the foraging activity of V. pensylvanica during its active season.

Following photo shows a yellowjacket forager handling the hydrogel bait particle.

Click here to read the Entomological Society of America's blog article about this "hydrogel baiting for yellowjacket control" paper