Old Honeycomb: A Sustainable Solution to Wasp Infestation in Tangjin City
Tangjin City, located in Chungnam Province, is taking proactive measures to combat wasp infestation while promoting eco-friendly practices. Recently, the city distributed a free eco-friendly wasp attractant to beekeepers at the Agricultural Technology Center.
The Need for Action
Spring, particularly April to May, marks the beginning of queen bees' feeding activities. Catching the queen bee during this period is crucial as it can significantly reduce the population of wasps in the fall, typically August to September. The queen wasp, discovered in Busan in 2003, works alone until the first worker wasps hatch, making it essential to eliminate it early to mitigate damage.
Sustainable Solution: Old Honeycomb
The Office of Eco-friendly Livestock Management at the Agricultural Technology Center collects old honeycombs from beekeepers. These honeycombs, comprising 50% of the attractant mixture, are boiled and mixed with 30% rice wine and 20% specification liquid. The mixture is then aged for about a week, resulting in a potent wasp attractant.
Community Engagement
In addition to distributing the attractant, the city actively educates beekeepers on how to create their own attractant and install traps to capture queen bees. This holistic approach empowers the community to participate in the effort to combat wasp infestation.
Acknowledgment and Results
Acknowledging the complexity of attractant production, Cho Kyu-chun, former chairman of the Beekeeping Research Center, commended the city's leadership in addressing the issue. The effectiveness of the attractant is evident, with traps capturing 7-8 wasps per trap and 70-80 wasps per day.
Looking Ahead
Officials from the Agricultural Technology Center emphasize the importance of timely spring control using the attractant to reduce bee damage in autumn. By installing traps strategically around apiaries and nearby wilderness areas, the city aims to enhance capture efficiency and minimize the impact of wasp infestation on bee populations.
For Tangjin City, sustainability isn't just a buzzword—it's a tangible commitment to environmental stewardship and community well-being.
FAQs
Q: What is the significance of catching queen bees during spring? A: Spring marks the beginning of queen bees' feeding activities. Catching them during this period can significantly reduce the population of wasps in the fall, thus minimizing damage.
Q: How is the eco-friendly wasp attractant made? A: The attractant is made from a mixture of old honeycombs, rice wine, and specification liquid. The mixture is boiled and aged for about a week to enhance its potency.
Q: How effective is the attractant in combating wasp infestation? A: The attractant has shown promising results, with traps capturing a significant number of wasps per day. Its effectiveness contributes to the overall efforts to control wasp populations and mitigate damage to bee colonies.
Q: What role do beekeepers play in combating wasp infestation? A: Beekeepers are actively involved in the initiative by participating in the distribution of the attractant, creating their own attractant, and installing traps to capture queen bees. Their engagement is crucial in the collective effort to address the issue.
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