Yellow Jackets

Gary_in_Geneva · Jul 20, 2004

The best way is to watch for them and listen. I was able to hear these nest about 20’ away when walking.

Some of the nests will flood during the summer rains. Had one very large nest that did, and one that didn’t. A couple of buckets of dirt finished that one off. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Picture of one of the nests

rlee6 · Jul 20, 2004

Gary in Geneva,

I found many useful links from your web page. Have lots of fun.

frank_f15 · Jul 20, 2004

i posted on this very subject about 2 weeks ago(can;t remember where tho /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif) anyhow the jist of it is , i have been bit many time before, but on july 4 i got bit by a hornet and had a most violent reaction, the wife had to call 911 as i really had a problem. spent 6 hrs in hospital. the point i am trying to make is even if you never had a violent reaction before, if u feel strange get help!!!!!.

RalphVa · Jul 21, 2004

I dug into my first nest of them here in Va. Had them in ground and around back door in NJ and in ground in LA.

Should have known better than to dig into the ground where there was a hole. They really flew out. For some reason, they ignored all my exposed skin. Two buried themselves into the tops of a sock at the top of my boots.

My solution in NJ and LA was to pour kerosene down the hole at dusk and light it. Don't need to light it, as some pointed out.

Did it on this one twice now. Still some coming to it. May have to treat it again.

Ralph

Kevin_in_VA · Jul 22, 2004

One thing to remeber about these beasts is that if you swat and kill one it will release a fear pheremone that will attract every yellow jacket within a 15 to 20 foot radius. Best to leave them alone until night when you can do the whole nest. But of course there's no defense from acidentally disturbing a nest.

Kevin

jsduke · Jul 22, 2004

I wouldn't recommend lighting gasoline that's been poured into an in-ground nest. The result can be quite explosive. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I like to avoid all toxics as well (sensitivity). I've been using a heavy mix of Dawn dish detergent in water. A gallon in the hole after hours settles it!

I've also used said mixture in spray/mist bottles to neutralize paper wasp nests (the small ones under my deck rail) and their inhabitants. I've even had to spray fliers, with very good results. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

duke.

OhioGuy · Jul 26, 2004

After reading this post earlier in the day, my wife reeled the garden hose inside the box. She needed some help, when I opened the lid I found a mass of Yelowjackets inside. My first instinct was to reach in and grab the hose but after reading all the stinging stories today, I got in my car, drove to Ace hardware and got some spray. After dark I lit em up without a problem. Thanks for saving me some pain!!!!

Curt

BWa · Jul 28, 2004

Thanks for the heads up , Yesterday I wanted to clean up an area of light brush with the FEL , pushed a couple of old hay bales deeper back in to the brush and then stopped and went to talk with a friend that stopped by. Went back to the machine and found the front end a mass of very very PO"d yellowjackets /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif, to bad I was not there for them to sting , or to make another pass /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, I just backed the machine away and left them /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif. Later I drive the truck over the area and finished off crushing the nest . They are still there and maybe rebulding . I will get a better target and finish wiping them out after the rain .
Bill g.

dixiedrifter · Jul 31, 2004

I just found a small nest of them while cutting some ceder fence posts this morning.

Unfortunately, they got me 3 times before I could get outta there... then I had to go back in to retrieve the saw.

Luckily my doggy was there and distracted them for a few seconds, enough for me and her to slip in, grab the saw, and get the heck out without being stung.

Going tonight to finish up cutting the posts.

PineRidge · Jul 31, 2004

Go back in there after dark and give them paybacks. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

ducati996 · Jul 31, 2004

I had a few fly into my full helmet while I was riding my motorcycle with the face shield up....They got me bad before i could slow down and get off the bike....I had to mush one right on my face, and rip the helmet off and get the other little *******...talk about being too vunerable...it ruined the ride for the day, it hurt...I laugh about it now with the passenger (my wife) but i wasnt laughing then /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Duc

dixiedrifter · Aug 2, 2004

What I hate is hitting a bumble bee at 60 MPH on a motorcycle...

They don't have time to sting, but the sheer weight of them packs enough wallop to leave a bruise.

Anyhoos, got my revenge last night on the offending yellow jackets. Took my lil red LED headlamp to go in "stealth mode" and poured bout a gallon of gas into their nest followed by a lit match.

No survivers. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

NY_Yankees_Fan · Aug 2, 2004

The kids have gotten attacked several times and we have found that meat tenderizer works the best in taking the pain and swelling away. We keep a supply on hand in the first aid kit both at home and in the car. Make a paste with the meat tenderizer and put it on the sting, works rear fast and reduces the swelling significantly. I had one fly into the car while driving and stung my daughter, 2 years old at the time while sitting in the car seat. We were happy we had the meat tenderizer in the kit that day. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

SPIKER · Aug 2, 2004

NY FAN:

yep tenderizer works, well, as does baking soda. I was bit by a spider, yesterday. small nasty looking sucker but he suffered the rath of the splat. it was in my boot toung (walking around picking up small sticks along woods side edge.) got back to house sat down and the sucker got me. I forgot about the tenderizer and grabbed first thinng handy, which was "fruit fresh" and made quick past, not even a mark left after about 30 min (we had been picking balck berries all month and canning them so it was handy.) used a bit of rubbing alchol to make the paste. a sweat bee landed right in the paste on my hand but he didn't last long with the alcohol!

Mark m /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

beenthere · Aug 2, 2004

Yep - a gallon otta do it (for about 10 nests /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif ).

Makes a good 'whoooomp' when it goes off. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

LBrown59 · Nov 1, 2004

( What I hate is hitting a bumble bee at 60 MPH on a motorcycle...

They don't have time to sting, but the sheer weight of them packs enough wallop to leave a bruise.

)
*************************
Anyone ever run into a bumble bees nest?
Where do they build their nest?
What do the nest look like?

MikeFromVA · Nov 1, 2004

Saw a bumble bee nest when I was mowing this summer - fortunately before I ran over it. It was a small hole in the ground with many many bumble bees going in and out. It was in my field and I put a small flag up about 5' from it (becuse I didn't want to get any closer) so I would be able to steer clear when the grass got tall...

eee · Nov 1, 2004

( They don't have time to sting )

As long as they don't go up your pants leg.

RalphVa · Nov 1, 2004

Ran into my 4th yellowjacket nest this morning. Had to suit up with a make-shift bee suit to recue my Gravely, which I left running there (and just filled the tank yesterday).

One of the recommended solutions by Virginia Tech is Sevin dust around the hole area. I have some and will try it on this nest. The wasp & yellowjacket foam spray didn't work worth a darn to discourage them this morning. This was spraying from a distance.

Kerosene didn't work on a big nest of them that a skunk or bear dug out. It did work on 2 smaller holes. Don't have to light it.

Ralph