Don't Plant These Crops If You HATE Wasps!

Summary

In this gardening video, the creator shares practical tips for avoiding aggressive pollinators like wasps and hornets while maintaining a thriving garden. The speaker emphasizes avoiding plants with umbels, such as fennel, dill, and cilantro, which attract hornets and wasps. Additionally, keeping wet clay areas covered and removing fallen fruit to prevent sugar attraction are key strategies. The creator also touches on the effectiveness of wasp and hornet traps, cautioning that they may sometimes worsen the problem. The video combines personal gardening experience with helpful advice for those wary of certain pollinators.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pollinators like wasps, hornets, honeybees, and flies are essential for gardens, but some gardeners may want to avoid attracting them, especially those allergic or afraid.
• 😀 Wasps and hornets, particularly aggressive ones like bald-faced hornets and eastern yellow jackets, can be dangerous, especially in late summer and fall when they become more aggressive.
• 😀 Fennel, dill, cilantro, parsley, and carrots are plants that produce 'umbles,' a type of flower grouping that attracts wasps and hornets.
• 😀 A high concentration of aggressive hornets is often found on plants like fennel and cilantro, with very few honeybees present in comparison.
• 😀 If you want to avoid aggressive wasps and hornets, it's best to avoid planting umbles or at least manage them carefully.
• 😀 Wet clay areas, especially near ponds, can attract wasps and hornets, as they use the clay to build their nests when mixed with wood pulp and saliva.
• 😀 Covering wet clay with grass or cover crops can help prevent attracting wasps and hornets to your garden.
• 😀 Fruits, including tomatoes, which are high in sugar, can attract hornets and wasps, especially in late fall. Picking up fallen fruit is a good way to avoid attracting them.
• 😀 Harvesting fruit like apples, pears, and peaches quickly can help reduce the risk of attracting hornets and wasps to your garden.
• 😀 Wasp and hornet traps may have limited effectiveness and could sometimes attract even more wasps, creating a potential catch-22 situation.
• 😀 While wasp traps can be considered, the speaker personally avoids using them, suggesting gardeners experiment with them cautiously.
• 😀 The speaker encourages gardeners to take care when interacting with these pollinators and to manage their garden space accordingly to minimize encounters.

Q & A

Why are wasps and hornets considered dangerous pollinators in the garden?

Wasps and hornets are aggressive and can become especially dangerous during late summer and early fall when they are more territorial. For those with allergies, being stung can be life-threatening, making them a serious concern for gardeners.

What are 'umbles' and why should they be avoided in a garden if you want to avoid wasps and hornets?

An umble is a cluster of flowers arranged like an umbrella. Plants that produce umbles, such as fennel, dill, carrots, parsley, and cilantro, attract aggressive wasps and hornets, particularly bald-faced hornets and eastern yellow jackets.

What types of wasps are attracted to dill plants?

Dill attracts the eastern yellow jacket, which is a very aggressive native wasp in North America. This wasp will sting if it feels threatened, making dill a plant to avoid if you want to minimize wasp presence.

How can wet clay areas attract wasps and hornets?

Wasps and hornets use wet clay, mixed with wood pulp, to build their nests. If you have areas in your garden with exposed wet clay, such as near ponds or waterlogged soil, they could attract these pollinators.

What can gardeners do to prevent wasps and hornets from nesting in wet clay areas?

Gardeners can cover exposed wet clay with grass or other cover crops to prevent hornets and wasps from using the clay for nesting material. This will reduce their nesting opportunities.

Why should gardeners pick up fallen fruits from the ground?

Fallen fruits, such as apples and tomatoes, are high in sugar and attract wasps and hornets. Harvesting fruits promptly and removing any that have fallen will reduce the likelihood of these insects being drawn to your garden.

What are some common fruits that should be harvested quickly to prevent attracting wasps?

Fruits like apples, pears, peaches, and tomatoes should be harvested promptly, as they are high in sugar and can attract wasps and hornets, especially during late summer and fall.

Can wasp and hornet traps be effective in reducing their numbers?

Wasp and hornet traps can sometimes be effective but may also attract more insects into the area, creating a catch-22. It's recommended to use them cautiously and monitor their effectiveness.

What should a gardener do if they are allergic to wasp or hornet stings?

If you are allergic to stings, it's crucial to take extra precautions, such as avoiding areas with high wasp or hornet activity, wearing protective clothing, and carrying emergency medication (like an epinephrine injector).

What are the benefits of attracting pollinators to your garden despite the risks posed by some species?

Pollinators, such as honeybees and bumblebees, can significantly increase the productivity of your garden by improving fruit and vegetable yields. However, attracting these beneficial insects must be balanced with taking measures to avoid aggressive species like wasps and hornets.