How to Make a Yellow Jacket Trap
1. Fill a 5 gallon bucket with about 6 inches of water. Add 4 or 5 drops of liquid dish detergent.
2. Place a stick across the top of the bucket.
3. Hang a can of tuna, mackerel, or fish flavored cat food by a string or wire from the center of the stick. Punch 3 to 4 large holes in the bottom of the can. The can should hang about ½ inch above the water.
4. Place the trap in a tree or other suitable place out of reach of children and pets. The yellowjackets take the food and fall into the water with the extra weight. The soapy 
water reduces surface tension so they sink.
This can be similarly done on a smaller scale using a liter plastic soda bottle. Cut a hole in the side of the bottle for the yellowjackets to enter. Use a stick with lunch meat (turkey or ham) tied on the end and suspend it about ½ inch above the soapy water.