Help the Wasps are Back

[TURKEY131]

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to get ride of these things. The wasps have built a nest under the fascia by the roof line. I was going to use some spray foam along the edge and seal them in there. Is there something I could spray or use to keep these things away from my house?

 

[Combustix]

I would use the 20 foot wasp spray and get about three cans then saturate all along the board. Retreat if they come back. had same issue a few years back and have not had issues for awhile now.

 

[Raspy]

The spry stuff is very effective, but doesn't get the ones out flying around somewhere.

A shop vac and long hose is also a good tool. Use the spray and the vac. Get all you can and take your time to get the returning ones, then destroy the nest.

All the activity might make a few of them go after you so be careful.

I got rid of an underground nest this way and then burned it out. Only got stung lightly once.

It was worth it to get rid of those nasty pests.

 

[Marcintosh]

I would only add, be sure they can't migrate INTO the attic. I would do this by spraying there first or better yet making sure it's well sealed off. You might like to begin that just before dawn so it's as cool as it's going to be all day there. Cool wasps = slow bugs
When I sprayed out side, they just moved inwards. I will tell you that wasn't much fun removing that mess.
G'luck,
M

 

[Pete Judd]

We get them every year. The spray foam after dark works well. If inside, shop vac works well, but don't spray killer into it as the spark from the motor might just blow everything up in your face. Wait a few days after sealing the vac up, then with the motor off spray into the bin, lift the lid off an hour later, and dump.

 

[Pilot]

Best time to mess with them is when the temps are around 45 or lower.

 

[wedge40]

I have them every year. I have cans of wasp spray everywhere. I spray the soffit vents, giving them a good soak . As they come an go they get a little of the residual on them and eventually die. This is good for about a month or so then I repeat.
I also found that you get what you pay for.. Cheap spray doesn't work as well as the "Name Brand"

Wedge

 

[JDgreen227]

I have never used bug spray, the shop vacuum method works great for all kinds of bees and wasps. I had a really long reach last fall for a nest way up in the eaves, and even putting togther a half dozen shop vacuum wands wasn't long enough. I used two sections of 2 inch PVC pipe cemented together to make a 16 foot long wand, and a 2 inch rubber flex coupling with hose clamps was the ideal way to connect a shop vacuum hose to the PVC pipe. Leaving the bugs in the vacuum tank for a few days is usually enough to kill them, especially if you leave the tank in the sun to heat it up.

 

[Western]

Best time to mess with them is when the temps are around 45 or lower.

The cooler the better, I try to deal with them as early in the am as possible.

I have used starting fluid in the spray can and it works instantly, amazing fast.

 

[RJD2516]

I get a boat load of them every year. I use the spray, but first I like to hang those trap bags near the nest first. Seems to catch most of them in just a few hours, then I spray the nest (AT DUSK). Couple days later, I knock the nest down and toss it or burn it. If I have to spray the nest during the day, I arm myself with a badminton racket. Very easy to knock them out of the sky using that racket. Then I just step on those.

For the yellow jackets, which nest in holes in the ground, I use the bag method (I get those bags at lowes for 5 bucks). Then I cover the hole with compost. Usually a bucket full from the FEL. Leave it for a week. Gets really hot under there. Never had them dig out yet.

I have been stung once.......... the first time I tried to spray a nest in the afternoon. That's when I went to using the bags. Those **** things hurt when they sting.

 

[rekees4300]

Is there something I could spray or use to keep these things away from my house?

I'm not aware of any product that will repel wasps away from a house. I deal with them after they build a nest. Just a shot of wasp/hornet killer spray does the job. If they are in a hole and the hole is small enough, use a tube clear silicon sealant (available at any hardware store) to plug the hole. Best to do that at night using a flashlight.

 

[polo1665]

We had some trouble the year before last when the wasps got under the deck boards on our wrap around porch. I could spray them when I saw them, but could not get to the nests without tearing up the deck boards, and I wasn't going to do that.
I got a hold of some local exterminators and they sprayed all around the house last spring. It did the trick, no wasps last year. Cost about $100 for two treatments.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Been dealing with the red ones and the black ones for decades and have learned something. If these are the wasps that build a paper nest, you have to remove not only the nest but also the stem that holds the nest.

Spray alone won't work for long because the odor of the stem attracts new wasps back to rebuild. I usually take a scraper and scrape the area where the stem attaches, then vacuum the crumbs.

Now, at the risk of being flamed by the safety police, the best chemical to knock down wasps is gasoline. It is absorbed instantly into their air ways and they curl up and fall out of the air much faster than with the commercial sprays. It's about $4.00 a gallon but a gallon goes a long way.

But remember, the sting of the wasp is not as bad as the sting of the Mrs. if you douse any plants with gasoline.

 

[JDgreen227]

Been dealing with the red ones and the black ones for decades and have learned something. If these are the wasps that build a paper nest, you have to remove not only the nest but also the stem that holds the nest.

Spray alone won't work for long because the odor of the stem attracts new wasps back to rebuild. I usually take a scraper and scrape the area where the stem attaches, then vacuum the crumbs.

Now, at the risk of being flamed by the safety police, the best chemical to knock down wasps is gasoline. It is absorbed instantly into their air ways and they curl up and fall out of the air much faster than with the commercial sprays. It's about $4.00 a gallon but a gallon goes a long way.

Using gasoline and being "FLAMED" by the safety police...:laughing: that is one of the funniest puns I have read here, ever !!! Will you share your method on how to apply the gasoline? Pump sprayer? Spray bottle? Have never heard the tip about removing the stem, thanks for sharing, I get a lot of paper wasps here but didn't know about removing the stem of the nests.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Removing the stem is by far the better tip. I apply gasoline by tossing it from a small shallow can, like a tuna can. Catch them when they are cold and clustered on the nest.

Spraying gasoline poses a high risk to your own lungs if you get a whiff of atomized gasoline.

 

[swinewerks]

Bleach works great for spraying the stems.

 

[Crow4x4]

Well WD-40 works good to repell the wasps in back of my shutters on the house, they use to make their nest every spring. Must be they dont like the smell, you dont need a lot, I do it twice a year (in the spring) and it keeps them away!!:thumbsup:

 

[BrianDT]

I have never used bug spray, the shop vacuum method works great for all kinds of bees and wasps. I had a really long reach last fall for a nest way up in the eaves, and even putting togther a half dozen shop vacuum wands wasn't long enough. I used two sections of 2 inch PVC pipe cemented together to make a 16 foot long wand, and a 2 inch rubber flex coupling with hose clamps was the ideal way to connect a shop vacuum hose to the PVC pipe. Leaving the bugs in the vacuum tank for a few days is usually enough to kill them, especially if you leave the tank in the sun to heat it up.

I like the PVC idea!

 

[MadJack]

I use the original DAWN DISH SOAP, 2 tablespoons to a half gallon of water mixed in a 1-gallon pump sprayer. Shake it well, let it sit to de-foam a bit, check your range then spray. The soap seals their air intake [along their sides I hear] and they curl up pretty quick.

I shoot 'em in the morning when temps are cooler. The soap leaves a residue that is non-toxic AND non-flammable, seems to keep them away from the sprayed area for weeks.

Note to self: put your boots on [instead of slippers] before you start spraying. Stings on the TOP of your foot are painful!

 

[JDgreen227]

May not have advice about dealing with wasps, but for those who are cursed with box elder bugs like we are, I got rid of thousands of the vermin about two weeks ago using the vacuum method to suck them up. Works better than spraying and I have had many people tell me these bugs seem very resistant to chemicals.