Project+vinegar+fumes+and+yellow+jackets


 * Introduction**: IF your wondering why you should read this before you get started here are some reasons why. If this works out you can have a cheaper European paper wasp repellent. Another is if the vinegar keeps the European paper wasp calm you can have a way to keep them still for some time to study them.


 * Question:** Does vinegar fumes affect European paper wasps?


 * Hypothesis:** The European paper wasp will die after too long near the vinegar fumes.


 * Starting** **the** **experiment**: To start off the experiment you have to create a controlled environment. We used containers called the "bug-dorm".



Then we took a small container to hold the vinegar in with a lid with holes to let the vinegar fumes out. We got another container like that to put water in it. Then we put one of the two containers in each of the bug-dorms.



Then we had someone to get the European paper wasp for us. Next we put the yellow jackets in each bug-dorms. From there all we had to do is to wait and watch the yellow jackets.


 * Variables:** One variable is we have 15 ml. of vinegar in one of the bug-dorms and 15 ml. of water in the other bug-dorm the control, the cages will also be far away from each other to keep the vinegar fumes from affecting the control which will have water instead.



11:57 - The European paper wasps in the vinegar are not moving as much as the ones in the water. 1:01 – The vinegar European paper wasps are still not moving much and the water European paper wasps are in the top corner of the container there not moving much but definitely not like the vinegar European paper wasps. 1:14 – One of the vinegar European paper wasps was moving for a little and then went back to not moving at all the water European paper wasps are still at their spot in the corner but one is moving around the top 1:25 – One of the vinegar European paper wasps flew from its petri dish to the top of the cage and started moving around the top of the container while the other vinegar European paper wasps stay still. The control European paper wasps are back in the corner and not moving much 2:07- The vinegar European paper wasps that was on the corner is still there and moving around the top and left side of the container the other vinegar European paper wasps seem to be in another position on the petri dish but are not moving. the water European paper wasps are moving around more and one of them are chewing the net. 2:45- a second European paper wasps in the vinegar side has started to move.
 * Data 8/18/11:times**

8:58- The vinegar European paper wasps are on the top of the container and very close to each other. The water European paper wasps on the other hand are scattered, one on the top of the Bug-dorm, one on the top and one on the net. 9:12 - The vinegar European paper wasps remain in the corner in a huddle. The water European paper wasps seem to also be in the same position they were in earlier. 9:48 - The vinegar European paper wasps continue to keep their position and barely move. The water European paper wasps are moving more now they are all on the front of the Bug-dorm one on the net, one next to the net, and one on top of the Bug-Dorm. 9:58 - We removed the vinegar to see if the European paper wasp will react differently.
 * Data 8/19/11:Times**


 * Conclusion:**There is a definite difference between the European paper wasps in the bug-dorm with vinegar in it and the European paper wasps in the bug-dorm with the water in it. The European paper wasps in the bug-dorm with the vinegar are more relaxed. The European paper wasps in the bug-dorm with the water act the same as if in the wild. We found this out by hitting both bug-dorms. When we hit the bug-dorm with the vinegar the European paper wasps did not move much, just a little. This could be an effect fumes of the vinegar. When hit the bug-dorm with the water the European paper wasps got all upset. But after a certain amount of time the effects of the vinegar fumes wave off. The exact time is unknown. More testing is needed.