Help...Hornets

Macroman · Sep 1, 2003

There is a red wasp (all red wings and all) here that is ~ 1.5 inch long. They have a nasty temper, but do not swarm. They will line you up and take a run at you from about 20 ft above your head. I was working on a scaffold last summer and got stung twice. I could see him lining me up on one occasion and had my hand full of tools. He power dived into my chest hitting me near the heart. Felt like a heart attack as the venom move through.
There is a very similar wasp here that has black on the wings and red that is much more docile and depite a number around never bothered us.

_RaT_ · Sep 1, 2003

Controling Pests

TresCrows · Sep 1, 2003

Macroman, where is "here"? Yeah, that would probably be what I call "redwasps". They are extremely aggresive and pack a wallop. They will dive bomb you. Many times when near their nests without knowing I have felt something whack my head only to see a redwasp coming back around for another run. The whack on the head is a warning, nice of them to warn ya. If you are still there when he comes back around prepare to get stung and he will be followed by quite a few more. They will fly right up the stream from a can of Ortho or similar spray. I have seen them do it. They may die later but not before stinging you. They tend to build nests in enclosed areas. They are a paper wasps but they tend to nest in sheltered and partially enclosed areas or even in walls accessed by a crack or small hole. They often nest in the same spot over and over and I feel certain that in Louisiana their nests remain inhabited year around if it is in something like a house wall where they get some warmth. I have seen several hundred on a brick wall in January on a warm day sunning. Obviously that is an active nest. So despite what the books say, they can nest year around in warm climates if their nest is suitably located. I have seen their nests several feet across and often multi layered. I believe some paper wasp have multiple nests as well. Redwasps in particular have a guard that will sit nearby on a pine bough or tree limb or gutter, not by the nest. It is usually him that whacks you in the head and releases a pheromone that alerts the others. You best be getting out of there /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. J

pruntyc · Sep 1, 2003

Yeah here in MS, I have one in the top of a window frame. There is a small hole there, and bunches of them in it. I use the foam spray and it kills some of them each time. But it seems there is an endless supply of them, as more keep takeing their place. Waiting till winter, don't know what else to do, then I will plug the hole. But not till it gets cold enough to have them all inside or asleep or what ever they do when it gets cold. I sprayed them one day and had sandles on, and one got on the sandle, and I didn't see it, and it didn't sting me till I got in the house. Then I had a swelled foot for a while. Good old Benidryl took it away in a few hours, but they sure can make you hurt for a while. Suppose it has something to do with the red color. My foot got real red where it was. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Macroman · Sep 1, 2003

Im in northern Al near the MS border. I have one nest under the metal roof ridge plate. I have no idea how they can stand the heat. As on a hot day the metal (dark green) will burn your skin.
Almost impossible to eradicate but up high enough that they do seem to bother anyone unless you get near.

cisco · Sep 9, 2003

As per prior posts, sometimes it takes patience and luck to figure out where the nest is. Then, it's nearly over. I wait until it's way past sunset and wasp activity is muted (they DO fly at night, especially if provoked). I don my turkey hunting gear, a full set of thick camo, high boots, a full face mask and hat. Just creep up on the nest (ground, eaves, whatever), and douse it with whatever you wish (I use a large can of the 25' spray stuff from Walmart) - then briskly retreat into a dark area such as your unlighted garage, close the door, listen for buzzing, and if some have followed you, zip through the door into the house and toss a fumigant into the garage and hit the garage door closure switch - I have to do this 2-3 times a summer, usually after someone gets stung and my wife is incensed. Haven't been stung yet (20 years).
Now, running over a wasp nest while brushing cutting on my tractor is a whole different matter - flip the key switch, jump off the tractor, run and pray simultaneously.

pruntyc · Sep 10, 2003

Cisco, I'm sure no one does what you said. You must have thought that would be a funny story and posted it. When all it takes is about a half gal of gas dumped into their hole, and they don't fly, for they are all dead, no special clothes or gloves. Or throw about a half can or gas up on a nest, and they all fall dead. Now if its a real hornets nest, about 1 1/2 foot long and 1 foot or so wide, then you would need to spray gas into it someway. A can of spray would be like trying to kill a bear with a BB gun. It would just get you into trouble. But your story is beyond belief, anyone would a have a better way than that.

MossRoad · Sep 10, 2003

<font color="blue">then briskly retreat into a dark area such as your unlighted garage </font>

I've done the shoot and run at night several times. It gets the adrenaline flowing! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Don't forget the red lens on the flashlight and tripping over the lawn chairs on the way to the garage. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

TresCrows · Sep 16, 2003

He is probably exaggerating somewhat Pruntyc but I also often attack at night. Problem is that I think they see fine at night, better than us. I am not sure what spectrum they are sensitive to but I know they see infrared and ultraviolet but are also sensitive to scent.
In the old days ceilings of porches were painted light blue to prevent nesting activity of common paper wasps, the kind that build the small conical hanging nests. The blue messes with their vision and they think it is the sky. It also deters mud daubers somewhat.
The old place that belonged to my great grand parents was the typical old southern "farmhouse" with the columns and large porches. I remember when as a child sitting on the porch swing and looking up at the blue painted lapstrake ceilings and Hunter Fans.
It is funny how things have changed. Spending summers at the old place I remember that the front door was reserved for company and important people and visiting family, a wasp nest would definitly be tacky. All buisness such as deliveries, the plumber or anyone in a pu truck (yeah, my great grandmother, my grandmother and my mother all think to this day, well great grand mother is gone, that anyone in a pu truck is a workman. My father never owned a pu truck, kinda odd nowadays how sporty they are considered) was done at the side door by the carriage way. Also, dirty kids and dogs as well. Wasps were never welcome.
All that remained after the fire was the chimney stacks and they are gone now as well, just brambles mark the spot. The place still belongs to us and reunions are held under the pecan trees in the orchard for those that remain, the only area not over grown. J