Are there wasps buzzing around your yard or garden?
With more than 20 years of experience in the pest control industry, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners learn to eliminate wasps.
In this blog, we’re sharing the best wasp traps to get rid of these pests.
These are the products pest management professionals use in the field, so we know they actually work!
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Best Disposable
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Best Reusable Trap
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Best Paper Wasp Deterrent
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An affordable, easy-to-use disposable trap that packs a punch.
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A durable, reusable trap designed to catch and kill a variety of flying insects.
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An innovative paper wasp nest decoy that’s perfect for use in outdoor areas.
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5.0
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4.8
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4.6
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Our Top Picks
- Best Disposable: RESCUE! Disposable Yellowjacket Trap
- Best Reusable Trap: Catchmaster Reusable Bug Catcher
- Best Paper Wasp Deterrent: DECYOOL Paper Wasp Nest Decoy
- Best Bait Station: PFT Yellow Hanging Station
- Best DIY Trap: Meat and Soapy Water
Summary: An affordable, easy-to-use disposable trap that packs a punch.
Type: Disposable trap
Disposal Method: Throw the trap and dead wasps away
Reusable: No
If you’re looking for a trap that effectively eliminates wasps without breaking the bank, the RESCUE! Disposable Yellowjacket Trap is a great option.
Designed to target and trap all major species of yellowjackets throughout North America, this trap uses a powdered attractant (all you need to do is add water) to draw yellowjackets into the trap. Once they’re inside, they can’t get back out.
When the trap is full, just toss it in the trash and hang a fresh one!
Our Experience: When we tested this trap, we found it to be a quick, effective, no-hassle solution to getting rid of wasps. We especially like this trap for getting rid of wasps around outdoor gathering areas like barbecues and picnic tables. We also loved that it’s disposable and cheap, so it’s easy to use and replace all summer long.
How to Use: To use this trap, just add water to activate the powdered attractant within the trap (read the label for exact measurements).
Next, hang the trap from an eave, tree, or structure at least 20 feet away from the outdoor area you want to protect. When the trap is full, just toss it in the trash and hang a fresh one!
- Effective
- Catches large numbers of yellowjackets
- Disposable
- Affordable
- Safe for use around kids and pets
- The attractant in these traps can be smelly
- Some may find these traps unsightly
- The RESCUE! disposable trap is most effective for yellowjacket species found in states East of the Rocky Mountains
Summary: A durable, reusable trap designed to catch and kill a variety of flying insects.
Type: Reusable trap
Disposal Method: Empty the trap’s jar when it’s full
Reusable: Yes
Want all the efficacy of a disposable trap in a reusable package?
Look no further than this Catchmaster Reusable Bug Catcher!
Designed to catch yellowjackets, wasps, and hornets, this trap is fast-acting, low-profile, and safe for use around kids and pets.
This trap features an all-natural attractant that flying, stinging insects find irresistible. Like disposable bag traps, wasps get into this trap and can’t find their way back out.
Unlike disposable traps, however, this one features an interior jacket jar, which is easy to empty and clean and allows you to reuse the same trap all season long.
Our Experience: When we tested this product, we found that it was easy to use and set up. We also liked the fact that it’s refillable and that the attractant is non-toxic.
That said, we found that it doesn’t catch quite as many wasps as traditional disposable traps and that emptying and cleaning the catch jar can be pretty gross.
How to Use: To use this trap, unscrew the cap and empty the liquid attractant into the trap’s interior jar. Add water to the interior fill line and screw the cap back onto the jar.
Next, hang the trap outdoors in a sunny area that’s protected from strong winds or lights and is at least 30 feet away from your home or outdoor living space.
When the jar is full, unscrew the lid, rinse it out, and add a fresh attractant pack and water.
- Reusable
- Non-toxic
- Affordable
- Easy to use and clean
- Attracts and kills multiple stinging pests
- Requires you to buy refill attractant packs
- Less effective than disposable traps
- Requires you to manually empty and clean catch jars
Summary: An innovative paper wasp nest decoy that’s perfect for use in outdoor areas.
Type: Decoy
Disposal Method: N/A
Reusable: Yes
To get rid of wasps, you’ve got to think like a wasp, and that’s where these DECYOOL Paper Wasp Nest Decoys come in.
Wasps are highly territorial pests, and many species won’t congregate or build nests in areas where there’s already another colony present.
By mimicking the look of a paper wasp nest, these decoys make other wasps think your space is already occupied.
Designed to be hung from eaves, decks, or tree canopies, these decoys are a low-profile, non-toxic way to keep wasps from bugging you.
Our Experience: When we tested this product, we found the nests to be pretty easy to use and set up and larger than we first expected.
This product comes in a 6-pack, so there are enough nests to hang all around your outdoor space, which we liked.
That said, the decoys are made from paper, so you’ve got to keep them away from rain, humidity, and moisture if you want to decoy to last.
How to Use: To use these decoys, open the package and expand the decoy, being careful not to tear the paper.
Next, place the included metal support frame into the decoy and secure it according to the package directions. Hang the nest decoys near the outdoor spaces you want to protect.
- Attractive and low-profile
- Non-toxic
- No smell
- Easy to use and set up
- Effective
- Can be delicate
- Must be placed in a covered area
- Requires more setup than other traps and deterrents
Summary: A hanging bait station that’s effective and easy to use.
Type: Bait station
Disposal Method: Throw the cup away when it’s full and replace it with a new one
Reusable: Yes
If you’re looking for a reusable bait station to get rid of flying insects, the PFT Yellow Hanging Station is a great option.
Designed to be durable and simple to use, this bait station can target wasps, yellowjackets, hornets, flies, and a handful of other flying insects – all you have to do is add the liquid bait of your choice.
Our Experience: When we tested this product in the field, we found that it requires a bit more preparation than other options on this list, but we liked that it also seems more versatile.
The inner disks (which control the size of the insect entry holes) can be a little tough to use, and this option isn’t quite as user-friendly as others we’ve reviewed.
How to Use: To use this bait station, drop the included cup into the base and push the retainer ring into the base to secure it.
Be sure to align the clips of the retainer ring with the rectangular holes in the sides of the base.
Attach the included wire to the square holes in the base.
If you want to make the insect entry holes larger to accommodate moths or larger flying insects, remove the inner disk on the retainer ring with a screwdriver.
Next, lock the cover onto the base and add your choice of liquid attractant into the included bait cup.
- Effective against a wide variety of flying pests
- Versatile
- Reusable
- Requires more set-up and preparation than other options
- Must be used with a liquid bait (not included)
- Directions for assembly can be confusing
- Uses toxic baits
Summary: A super simple, affordable DIY trap that works wonders.
Type: DIY trap
Disposal Method: Empty and refill the trap as needed
Reusable: Yes
If you’d rather make a DIY trap than spend money on store-bought options, try this one!
It’s easy to make with items you probably already have on hand, and it’s a great option for use on picnic tables or near barbecues or outdoor dining areas.
The small piece of meat attracts wasps. When they try to fly away after feeding on it, they fall into the soapy water and die.
Our Experience: We tested this DIY trap around our own homes and were surprised by how simple and effective it is.
In fact, it’s one of the most effective yellow jacket systems we’ve seen to date, and that includes all the store-bought varieties!
How to Use: Grab a low, open bowl or dish and fill it with water, a few drops of liquid dish detergent, and a few drops of vegetable oil.
Next, get a wooden barbeque skewer and spear a small piece of meat, like chicken or beef.
Set the skewer over the surface of the water, making sure the water level sits about ¼” below the meat.
Make sure the meat isn’t touching the water, which would allow the bees to climb out.
- Effective
- Non-toxic
- Cheap
- Easy to set up
- Can be stinky and unsightly
- May attract the attention of kids and pets
- Must be used on a flat surface, like a tabletop – can’t be hung
- Must be refreshed and replaced frequently
Buyer’s Guide
1. Consider your preferences
Consider whether you prefer natural methods or are comfortable using chemical solutions, baits, and attractants.
This is a major consideration, and it will impact the types of products and methods suitable for your situation.
2. Use a combination of methods
Using a mix of methods, like traps and decoys, is key to getting rid of wasps effectively.
Traps catch and reduce the number of wasps, while decoys prevent new colonies from setting up shop in your space.
When you combine these strategies, you tackle different aspects of wasp behavior, which makes for a more complete and lasting solution.
3. Hire a pro
If your DIY methods aren’t working or you want faster results, hire a professional.
Professional teams have the knowledge, experience, and tools to handle the situation safely and effectively and to get rid of the wasps in your outdoor space.
How We Tested the Best Wasp Traps on This List
Our list of the best wasp traps includes decoy nests and reusable jar-style traps.
To choose these traps, we gathered the top products we use both in the field and at home as pest control professionals. Then, we picked the best options in each category.
Next, we tested each trap to ensure it quickly caught wasps, was safe to use, and was affordable.
The result is a comprehensive list of effective, professional-quality wasp traps that capture and contain wasps!
Bottom Line
Of all the products on this list, we recommend the RESCUE! Disposable Yellowjacket Trap.
They’re the most affordable, most effective, and easiest to use.
They kill a ton of wasps, and they can help your property stay safe and pest-free all summer long.
Why Trust Pest Dude?
When you consider a product recommendation, trust is essential. You want balanced information based on real-world experience. Here at the Pest Dude, we’re committed to giving you both. Our teams research and test every product. We compare results with other licensed pest control professionals, and we double-check our findings.
Zachary Smith, our company founder, has over 20 years of field experience. He runs his own company, Smith’s Pest Management, serving home and business owners throughout the Bay Area. Zachary has the final say over featured products. The goal is to give you the knowledge you need to solve pest problems like a pro. It’s our pleasure to put our expertise at your service.
