Bees

[biggerten]

Had one where I had no safe retreat.

So I bought me a can of the Chemical Warfare stuff, backed the truck up close. With the window down just a crack so I could poke the little straw that comes with the can out, I let 'em have it. Killed 'em good, and I could drive away if they tried to swarm.

I soaked it good, the ones that came back dropped immediately when they landed on the nest to enter.

 

[FrogLick]

Had a somewhat larger one of these "hornet" nests in a small tree near our driveway a few years ago. One nice fall day, cool enough to have fleece jackets on, I'm working about 50 yards away and the lovely Mrs. is walking around the property. Next thing I know:

Mrs., running toward me and yelling, "Get 'em off of me, get 'em off of me!"

I immediately run toward the Mrs. to see what she's yelling about and find hornets swarming her. As I get close to try to help her they start going after me too. We're both swatting and running toward the lake thinking we might have to jump in to get rid of them. After we got far enough away fortunately they gave up the attack.

Me, "What happened?"

Mrs., "I saw the nest, picked up a stick and tapped the tree trunk to see if there were any hornets in the nest. Nothing came out so I gave the tree a good shake."

Me, "What in the world were you thinking?!"

Mrs. says sheepishly, "I don't know..."

She got a few head and neck stings but fortunately the fleece kept most of the stingers at bay. If you wait until after the first hard freeze you can harvest the nest to use as a nice decorative item. I'd say your daughter was very lucky they didn't attack and I'd warn her to leave them alone. We have a lot of these around but I've not found them to be much of a problem just working nearby as long as the nest isn't disturbed.

 

[wv1720]

Whatcha got there is a Redneck Pinata!!!!!!! Take turns hitting it and run like heck!!

 

[gotrocks]

Oh and you might want to call your local county extension or College/university. The entomology departments love those things and that one is a nice size for them to study.

(They might even remove it for free)

That's what I thought when this one was built on our 2nd story bathroom window.
Called the closest university and I was told that was quite common .
We left it alone for a while and could stand inside and watch the activity.
But tap on the window and watch them swarm and start hitting the window and anything else around.

After a while we decided it was too dangerous to leave. So wait until dark get the wasp/hornet spray and give it a shot. Took more than one visit to kill all occupants.





After that we had one in a tree and used the spray at night, next morn still activity, second attempt and thought all were dead. Waited before cutting it out of tree and found hole had been eaten out the back. I assume some survivors did not want to go through the poison around the front door.

 

[studor]

I once had to take out one below a deck in the middle of summer- everytime someone went on the deck they stood a good chance of getting stung. Dressed in waders and thick clothing, gloves and a bug jacket -- in 80 degree weather. Sprayed it with a hornet blaster at dusk, then at dawn next day. Then pulled it out to be sure
If it is safe to leave it I might be tempted to do so -- If it is a problem do the dusk or dawn thing and then remove it

 

[Fergie Bach]

These guys are not as evil as some of the posters seem to think. If you attack them they will attack you but left alone assuming they are not interferring with anything they are rather beneficial. They consume lots of pests around the place although they will attack ripe fruit. They die in the autumn and the nest is a thing of wonder. A plea for compassion then

 

[woodchuckie]

I spot them in the wood around the house lots and don't bother them but if they are anywhere around where people will be I would get rid of them.

 

[davitk]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I've never been this close to one, it hangs over the driveway just in front of the garage overhead door. I have a 9 foot high cube van, this nest is about 10 feet up. Can't believe I haven't disturbed it, me thinks my daughter and I are pretty lucky.

Redneck pinata, huh? My nephew is visiting from Iowa this weekend...

 

[kenstrac]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I've never been this close to one, it hangs over the driveway just in front of the garage overhead door. I have a 9 foot high cube van, this nest is about 10 feet up. Can't believe I haven't disturbed it, me thinks my daughter and I are pretty lucky.

Redneck pinata, huh? My nephew is visiting from Iowa this weekend...

Sounds funny in the same sentence. are you planning to blindfold him and give him a stick when he arrives?

 

[heehaw]

put a trash can directly under the nest, then get a ladder and cut the nest out of the tree, when it drops in the trash can, put the lid on, quickly: oh yeah, have someone filming all of this from a distance.
heehaw