Yellow Jacket Execution

[DAP]

This year is producing bumber just about everything in the NY hudson valley so far.

Including yellowjacket nests.

This weekend I intend on erradicating a few that have gotten a lil too close to human activity areas.

In the past, I have just scared them off (not easy) and cut the root of the nests and tossed them away. I could get away with this due to their smallish size.

This year, this won't work without major stings to my bodice.

What's the best 'stuff' or method to remove some dinner plate sized nests and their makers.

Is there any truth to the best time being at night?

 

[RobS]

Night or early morning as you will find them all home (cooler temps/darkness etc.). I zap 'em with Ortho wasp and hornet killer. I've found the cheap imitations do not work nearly as well. If you can see the nest you're all set. I have trouble with the ones behind the fascias etc. where I cannot see them all /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[BillyP]

There's a wasp and hornet spray that's made by Bengal. This stuff kills on contact. The best spray I've found.

Also, if it's where you can, fire does em in just as fast. Like a rag (with a little diesel) on the end of a long stick.

 

[DAP]

I've also heard about some sprays who's defining attribute is length of spray stream.

I've got one large nest about 30 feet up on the facia of a 3rd story gable.

One thing I've learned is that when spraying nasty bugs that fly, the best thing one can do is sprint like the wind at an opportune moment. Doing that from a ladder 25 feet in the air would be a Darwin award.

The yellowjacks seem to have gray matter. Once I watched one look at me, decide I was a target, and with utter and precise intention, plant his bidness end on my eyebrow. Watched the hole process unfold. I was so amazed at his deliberateness, that I didn't even think to defend myself.

I'm over the amazement part now. Their group is gonna take a hit.

BTW, where I grew up in rural ohio, what I NOW call yellowjackets were called 'sweat bees'. I thought the big bomber bumblebees were yellow jackets. I think it was a regional thing.

We used cool, wet mud for stings. Worked good. Now I use baking soda and water made paste.

 

[Poppa]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( One thing I've learned is that when spraying nasty bugs that fly, the best thing one can do is sprint like the wind at an opportune moment. Doing that from a ladder 25 feet in the air would be a Darwin award.)</font>

At least you thought about if first, that is typically something I think about after the spraying has begun. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
I'm over the amazement part now. Their group is gonna take a hit.

)</font>

Amen brother, there is a place for all living things, but it has been my experience that that place is better if used one at a time and not shared. Any nasty thing can live where I don't.
Good luck and if you are up that ladder with the spray can, I would suggest leaving the camera behind no matter how much we TBN'ers scream for pictures. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif


Mike

 

[gsganzer]

If you're out in the country then you can use my tried and proven method.

I use a 12 ga. with #8 or #9 shot. I do it after dark when they're all home sleeping. It gives them one heck of a wakeup call and makes me feel pretty good.

 

[shoppintractors]

<font color="blue"> I've got one large nest about 30 feet up on the facia of a 3rd story gable.
</font>
I use liquid "Sevin" mixed in a 2 gallon pump-up garden sprayer. I get alot more mileage than the small spray cans of bee/wasp killers and a pretty good distance spray too.

Don

 

[DAP]

There's gonna be some method to this madness this time. And it's my method and my madness.

First hot LZ is gonna be the old iron Sears pedastal BBQ (not in service) mounted into the deck flooring. Theres 5 nests in there with a total population of about 100 or so. It is located 12 inches from my wood burning BBQ (very much in service).

Tonight, I will open it. Early tommorrow I will strike. They will die. This pattern will repeat anually.

2 feet away, under a cap on the deck rails are 2 other nests. They will meet their maker early AM.

Lastly, I will devise a plan to relocate at least the Stinger Resort and Hotel hanging on that 3rd story facia. Here's where a power washer might come in handy. Now I looked in my shop and much to my dismay, a power washer wasn't among the inhabitants. This will take some planning or a spraycan of something that can shoot 15 feet or so.

All in all, this eradication plan will take out about 8 nests. Only 1500 or so left. I may lose the war, but I'm gonna win this battle.

If I suddenly stop posting ... you will know why.

 

[DocHeb]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I use a 12 ga. with #8 or #9 shot. )</font>



Very effective, but I've found that a bit hard on the fascia and soffit. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[DAP]

Don, would you haul 25 foot of gardenhose and sprayer up a 28 ft ladder and poison a nest of 35 or so pyssed off flying needles that haven't been fingerprinted, don't need a greencard and follow orders to the letter?

Been there, done that. It's amazing how tame a 14 foot leap off a one story building with a coupla dozen wasps chasing you and laughing at you the same time can be.