Yellow Jackets!

[Dave Pee]

I get along well with most of the creatures out here in the North Florida woods: venomous snakes, hand sized spiders, ant lions, wasps and mud daubers, vicious gopher tortoises and of course the gnats. I leave them alone, etc etc

But the dang yellow jackets: you stumble across one that stings you, and then the whole tribe tries to get you. Very aggressive and territorial. They seem to like beer - I swallowed one once and it stung me on the inside of my throat - talk about painful! :confused2:

Anyway, I found a nest being built in the ground, next to a small spruce tree. In the past I have been very successful pouring a cup of gas down the hole, and lighting it (on cool mornings or evenings). But I did not want to catch this tree on fire, so I used dish soapy water instead, as my buddy recommended.

Seemed to work OK, but there are a few still hanging around today. Hope they disappear soon ...

Anybody else use dish soap??

Dave

 

[bcp]

Gas in the hole works fine without being lit.

Bruce

 

[SJay]

Pour some Sevin dust in the hole

 

[flyerdan]

Bleach and ammonia down the hole. Cover with a bucket to confine the chlorine gas and hydrazine . Threat neutralized, preferably done in the evening when they're all in for the night and not as responsive.

 

[Thomas]

Break cleaner into hole no more problems.

 

[lescarpentier]

Diatomaceous earth works with any insect that has an exoskeleton.Totally non toxic and cheap.All they have to do is walk in it.

 

[dragoneggs]

But the dang yellow jackets: you stumble across one that stings you, and then the whole tribe tries to get you. Very aggressive and territorial. They seem to like beer - I swallowed one once and it stung me on the inside of my throat - talk about painful! :confused2:

Dave

Yikes, and deadly if you are allergic!

I just use hornet & wasp spray and apply at night when they are sleeping. They do get nasty before winter. We are past them now but September they can be bitchy!

 

[woody]

was digging around the other day hunting an old septic tank on some land I purchased and must have disturbed some yellow jackets. what I normally do is put about 3/4 drink bottle of gas in the hole just turn the bottle up stick it in the hole and walk away.

 

[Deere Dude]

I dumped a quart of gas in the hole near dusk when I was brave enough to venture back. Then I put a 5 gallon bucket upside down over the hole. I came back after a 2 week vacation there were no signs of bees anywhere. I don't know if the bucket helped or not, but gas surely did.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Don't forget; if you get stung, onion juice will stop the pain almost immediately.