Wasps under Decks

[sendero]

I have a single-wide trailer that had been sitting on the dealer's lot for a time. The wasps just LOVE the soffit, metal with large perforations that they fit easily into.

We brought a bunch of them (yellow jackets) with us when be bought the trailer. After a couple years, it was getting ridiculous. They were everywhere, and coming inside too. I hopped into bed one night and got stung. That was IT!

First I tried the flyswatter approach. I killed 70 one afternoon and my son another 30. It helped a bit, but soon they were back.

I went to the local Mart and bought several spray cans of Wasp-Hornet spray. I bought two different brands, thinking that one would be better and that I had a long term problem (they used different active ingredients).

I started dousing the soffits with this stuff. It worked best early in the morning when it was cool and they can't move around much. You could hear them buzzing, but they couldn't get out of the soffit /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

After only a couple weeks (using about 4 cans) of spraying using common store-bought stuff (Ortho brand and Spectracide brand), I almost never see a wasp any more.

As far as I could tell, both brands worked equally well. And there must be residual action because it's been months since I've seen a wasp.

 

[Bird]

Instead of the spray cans, I've used either the sprayer on the end of the garden hose, or on the farm, the power spray rig I had, and I've sprayed around the foundation of the house and all the way around under the eaves at least once and usually twice a year to prevent them from building nests. Of course, it's been many years since I used Dursban, but I usually used Diazinon, and occasionally Malathion. All three worked well. More recently I've used Permitherin and so far I'm not too impressed with it; just doesn't seem to be nearly as effective.

 

[djradz]

OK, just heard this weekend from a guy that swears it works fantastically. He hands the small urinal "mints" deodorizers on a screw or nail, about 8 feet apart. Hasn't had a wasp or bee since under his deck, picnic table, eaves, etc. Since they're relatively inexpensive, thought I too would give it a try.

 

[EddieWalker]

Avoiding them isn't working, and the sprays I've tried leave something to be desired. None have killed them right away and my current method of spraying them until they drop, then stomping them to death has a few drawbacks. Namely, his friends!!!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I'm gonna try the Cynoff EC, which I ordered from www.domyownpestcontrol.com for $78 a quart with free shipping.

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[Boondox]

I have a double punch approach but use no chemicals. Just too many pets and animals around to risk it. First, I use a big glass wasp trap starting early in the year. It's a big teardrop shaped vessel with a cap on top and the base curled under with an opening in it. You fill it with sugar water and put it out where they can find it. Within a couple of days it starts attracting them. They fly in the hole in the bottom and can't get out.

For the nests I use fire at night when all the occupants are tucked inside sleeping. Fire seems to render them helpless instantly; they simply tumble to the ground. (Obviously, you don't want to be under the nest you're torching!) It doesn't take much flame to do the job, so the fire danger is very low. When I'm working around potentially combustible stuff like my firewood supply I mist the surrounding area with a spray bottle before lighting them up. The larvae get tossed into the chicken coop where the hens consider them special treats.

Pete

 

[PineRidge]

Eddie kindly let us know how you make out with Cynoff. We really like the results that we get using it and Cynoff goes a long way.

 

[GerardC]

Cynoff EC:

Active ingredient made in CHINA, formulated and packaged in the U.S.A. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[PBMAX]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I used Diazinon under my eaves where I was getting wasp nests every year. One applicaiton took care of the problem until we repainted about 6 or 7 years later. Too bad they banned Diazinon. Probably banned it because it worked so well. )</font>

yeap Pilot, There is supposed to be something new on the market to replace it, but I haven't tried it yet. I bought 2 16 oz? bottles the last year it was around and am down to the last couple of use's. So I guess I'll wait and see what others have in the way of luck with the product(s) mentioned. I use it under my front deck 4' high and the rear at 15' via the water hose... I will miss it...

 

[63DH8]

I use a shopvac and a 20 foot long piece if plastic pipe. I'm far enough away that they don't associate me with the pipe. They attack the end of the pipe and get sucked in. When they hit the insides of the shopvac, they die.