What the Sterling Rescue WHY Trap Does
The Sterling Rescue WHY Trap is a non-poisonous trap that uses a two-chamber design and three attractants to capture 19 species of stinging insects, including paper wasps, bald-faced hornets, European hornets, and 12 species of yellowjackets. It does not use any killing agents, so it's safe to use around pets and beneficial honeybees when placed correctly. This guide walks you through the setup, placement, and maintenance steps so the trap works effectively all season.
How to Set Up the Sterling Rescue WHY Trap
The trap comes with a two-week attractant kit. Follow these steps to bait both chambers.
- Prepare the top chamber attractants: The top chamber uses two attractants: a solid attractant in a vial and a liquid attractant that you mix with water. Open the vial and place it in the designated holder inside the top chamber. Then mix the liquid attractant with water according to the package instructions and pour it into the top chamber's reservoir.
- Bait the bottom chamber: The bottom chamber is baited with a liquid attractant. Pour this attractant onto the cotton pad that sits inside the bottom chamber. The pad helps disperse the scent and keeps the attractant from spilling.
- Assemble the trap: Snap the two chambers together. Wasps, hornets, and yellowjackets enter through the top cap or through holes in the bottom cap. The double-chambered design makes it very difficult for trapped insects to escape.
- Hang the trap outdoors: Use the built-in hanger to suspend the trap from a tree branch, hook, or shepherd's pole. Place it at least 20 feet away from patios, decks, or any outdoor activity area. If you know where a yellowjacket nest is, hang the trap at least 20 feet away from the nest entrance.
Key Product Details at a Glance
- Sterling Rescue WHY Trap: The Sterling Rescue WHY Trap has two chambers and three attractants to catch 19 different species of insects. This design covers multiple stinging pests in one trap, so you don't need separate products for wasps versus yellowjackets.
Sterling Rescue WHY Trap - Sterling Rescue WHY Trap: Our WHY Traps do not use any killing agents or poisons. No poisons mean less risk to pets, children, and beneficial insects like honeybees that might visit the trap area.
- Sterling Rescue WHY Trap: The trap should be placed at least 20 feet away from an outdoor activity area, such as a patio or deck. Proper placement keeps stinging insects away from where people gather, reducing the chance of encounters while the trap lures them away.
Where to Hang the Trap for Best Results
Placement affects what the trap catches. The Sterling Rescue WHY Trap tends to capture more paper wasps when hung near a house structure, and more hornets and yellowjackets when placed near bushes and trees in a natural setting. For broad coverage, hang multiple traps around the perimeter of your yard. Always keep traps at least 20 feet away from known yellowjacket nests to avoid drawing insects toward people.
The trap is durable enough to last multiple seasons, and attractant refills are available so you can reuse the trap year after year. Check the trap every few days and empty it when full. Since no poisons are used, trapped insects eventually expire on their own inside the chambers.
Safety Notes for Pets and People
The attractants heptyl butyrate and butanol can be strong eye irritants and mild skin irritants. If any attractant gets on skin or in eyes, wash thoroughly with clean water. If irritation persists, see a doctor. The trap itself is designed to be safe around pets because it doesn't use poisons, but hang it out of reach of curious animals to prevent spills. The attractant will not lure beneficial honeybees, so you can use the trap without worrying about harming pollinators.
