Three non-toxic insect traps useful in trapping wasps enemies of honey bees

The insects Vespa orientalis L. and Vespula germanica (F.) are social wasps (Hymenoptera Vespinae) that can cause intense damages in apiaries, places where they can find the best combination of proteins from animal origin (bees and larvae) and carbohydrates (nectar and honey). The purpose of the present study was to compare three improvised types of traps (wood-glue, plastic bottle, double chamber) in combination with two different animal baits (fish and meat), free of insecticides, in order to control the populations of the wasps in apiaries. The experiments were conducted during the summers from 2001 to 2004. The traps were placed in three apiaries located in the Attica region of Greece. Trapped wasps were collected and the bait was replaced three times per week. The three types of traps are considered environmental friendly because they do not include insecticides that might pollute the environment, or result in the total destruction of wasp colonies and/or the death of non-target organisms, especially honey bees. The results showed that the use of the wood-glue trap in combination with the fish as a bait was a reliable solution for controlling the wasps in apiaries. Special attention should be paid to the time the fresh bait is placed because the performance of the traps is the best early in the day. Also the baits should be changed regularly (every 1-2 days) because the decomposition reduces the total number of wasps captured.