More Wasps = Less Caterpillars

I always kept my head down a bit and talked to these guys in the shed.

  Last year I decided to knock down all of the wasp nests that were close by on the farm. I was vigilant, knocking down the nests as soon as they began construction. I did not kill the wasps. I just hoped that they would move somewhere else, close enough to be beneficial yet far enough to not worry me about a family member or myself getting stung. This plan didn't work out as my blueberries, apple trees. and tomatoes were plagued with caterpillars.

This year I let the wasps have free reign. There were two nests on the side porch. The shed was filled with them, both inside and outside up in the eaves. The barn had its usual contingent.

I also put Planter's Peanut and Gatorade containers upside down on T-Posts on an old fence, and the wasps colonized there as well.

Gatorade Mix Container and Wasps (I call this type Yellow Jackets)

The results were great. Virtually no caterpillers on any plants, and zero Army Caterpillars (Spodoptera), which were the main culprits the past year. They can eat the leaves off half a blueberry bush in a day. And they make quick work of the leaves on the apple trees. I did have a few tomato hornworms (picture below) on my grape tomatoes, but that was it.

Five-spotted Hawk Moth Caterpiller AKA Tomato Hornworm

Thankfully we only had one sting from our caterpillar eating friends. One wasp felt the need to climb into my bathing suit while it was hanging on the line, and it didn't appreciate me invading its personal space when I put the suit on. I then didn't appreciate it invading my personal space.

Planter's Peanut Container and New Occupants