scott_vt
Super Member
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2004
- Messages
- 7,760
- Location
- east wells,vt
- Tractor
- 1986 MF 1040, 1942 Farmall A, 1949 Farmall Super A
Gee Farm,
Apparently soooooo !!!!
Apparently soooooo !!!!
"&%$#" Yellow Jackets!!!!!!
- Thread starter Ford960
- Start date
- Views: 15051
Nasty135
Veteran Member
That's what the pride of owning a MAssey'll do to a guy!
AHHH! Is that what happened?? Must have been , The Guy just kept starring
at my tractor saying "what a beautiful machine" All part of his EGO stroking ploy (he is an attorney ya know ) haha maybe I can do some grading for him next
AHHH! Is that what happened?? Must have been , The Guy just kept starring
at my tractor saying "what a beautiful machine"
All part of his EGO stroking ploy (he is an attorney ya know ) haha maybe I can do some grading for him next bloody_peasant
Silver Member
Ford960 said:
Pittsboro!!, I lived in Raleigh (north side) before moving out here to the psuedo-boonies
daTeacha
Veteran Member
Or she knows you like to run around on your tractor doin' tractor work.
bloody_peasant said:Pittsboro!!, I lived in Raleigh (north side) before moving out here to the psuedo-boonies
Well, the yellow jackets and I live by Bunn in Lake Royale. Got here exactly a year ago...me, not the YJ's. I guess that they've only been here since it warmed up from winter.
I have to get this stuff under control as there are 5 more lots coming up next week...bad time for the A/C to fail on my 5th wheel camper today. Have to go over to Colfax in the morning to buy another one, $800...Ouch!!!
knute_m
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2005
- Messages
- 408
- Tractor
- Down to my lovable little red Mahindra with FEL, and backhoe.
Thank you! Thank you! I want to thank all of you for posting this thread.
I'm not sure how many times my wife, now-grown kids, and I have disturbed easily angered ground dwelling stinging things, but it is always very painful.
This afternoon I was out on the tractor loading a trailer with a bunch of debris I piled up a few months ago. It was about 50 feet into the woods. Mostly leaves, but a lot of rotten firewood, old pallets, etc.
After I dumped the second bucket load in the trailer, I noticed a cloud off to my left. Because of reading this post last night, I was very aware of what was going on. As soon as I saw the swarm I slammed the bucked down as fast as I could. I jumped off the right side of the still-running tractor. I never got stung.
A little while later I slipped back and turned the tractor off. It is now dark, and I've retreived the tractor. I poured about a pint of diesel fuel down the one obvious hole I could find.
Thanks again to all.
Knute
I'm not sure how many times my wife, now-grown kids, and I have disturbed easily angered ground dwelling stinging things, but it is always very painful.
This afternoon I was out on the tractor loading a trailer with a bunch of debris I piled up a few months ago. It was about 50 feet into the woods. Mostly leaves, but a lot of rotten firewood, old pallets, etc.
After I dumped the second bucket load in the trailer, I noticed a cloud off to my left. Because of reading this post last night, I was very aware of what was going on. As soon as I saw the swarm I slammed the bucked down as fast as I could. I jumped off the right side of the still-running tractor. I never got stung.
A little while later I slipped back and turned the tractor off. It is now dark, and I've retreived the tractor. I poured about a pint of diesel fuel down the one obvious hole I could find.
Thanks again to all.
Knute
Last edited:
After searching all over town and coming up empty I went ahead and ordered a beekeepers suit this morning from these people:
(The link goes to the catalog index, enter 70 in the page number box.)
https://www.bioquip.com/html/view_catalog.asp
The total cost was $122.95 but if it will keep me from being stung then it's worth it's weight in gold. BTW, it's the only one that I have seen that states that it has been tested on Yellow Jackets. Probably as the wearer was running frantically out of the woods!
I'll report back went I get it and if it works as advertised.
I'd still like to know what or who took the hooks off my traps.
(The link goes to the catalog index, enter 70 in the page number box.)
https://www.bioquip.com/html/view_catalog.asp
The total cost was $122.95 but if it will keep me from being stung then it's worth it's weight in gold. BTW, it's the only one that I have seen that states that it has been tested on Yellow Jackets. Probably as the wearer was running frantically out of the woods!
I'll report back went I get it and if it works as advertised.
I'd still like to know what or who took the hooks off my traps.
slaveToHorses
Gold Member
I just killed a ground nest last night.
Found them right where we wanted to stack a bunch of firewood. I have a bee keeper suit so I put that on, though I probably didn't need it since it was 10pm.
The gaurd wasps were all hudled around the entrance but asleep. The suit I have is from dadant.com. It's light and works well. I think I paid less than $100us for the suit with hat and zippered veil.
I used a mix of 4oz of Cypermethrin into a 2gal fuel can with a squeeze of dishwashing soap. Poured it around the hole at first to get the guards and then poured the rest down the hole. Never saw a single wasp come out much less get airbourne. Works every time. I got a 1 lb tub of Cyper WP from http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com for $46. I had used a liquid form of cyper before, that came in a small container and was of course much cheaper.
Found them right where we wanted to stack a bunch of firewood. I have a bee keeper suit so I put that on, though I probably didn't need it since it was 10pm.
The gaurd wasps were all hudled around the entrance but asleep. The suit I have is from dadant.com. It's light and works well. I think I paid less than $100us for the suit with hat and zippered veil.
I used a mix of 4oz of Cypermethrin into a 2gal fuel can with a squeeze of dishwashing soap. Poured it around the hole at first to get the guards and then poured the rest down the hole. Never saw a single wasp come out much less get airbourne. Works every time. I got a 1 lb tub of Cyper WP from http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com for $46. I had used a liquid form of cyper before, that came in a small container and was of course much cheaper.
Just got the BeeKeepers suit and tried it on. As requested had the old lady take my picture on my old tractor.
Will go on the attack in the morning, hope that it works.
I did notice one thing that I had worried about is not going to be a problem at all, the ability to turn around and see the bush hog. I have a complete and unobstructed range of motion and visibility. Also the suit is cool.
The picture is poor, once again I failed to wait till the camera warmed up and I'm not putting the suit on again tonight.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e380/Capt-Ron/Tractor/BeeSuit.jpg
Will go on the attack in the morning, hope that it works.
I did notice one thing that I had worried about is not going to be a problem at all, the ability to turn around and see the bush hog. I have a complete and unobstructed range of motion and visibility. Also the suit is cool.
The picture is poor, once again I failed to wait till the camera warmed up and I'm not putting the suit on again tonight.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e380/Capt-Ron/Tractor/BeeSuit.jpg
rixtory
Bronze Member
Sorry, Wish I would have read this thread when it started. 20+ years as a certified NYS Pest Control operator and plenty of experience with honeybees, yellow-Jackets and Balled-Face/European hornets.
We used to mix Cyanide powder (Cynogas) with Sevin powder so we had a knockdown and a residual and then pumped the dust it into the nest ( BTW, I was never aware that yellow-jackets had 2 entry/exit holes - Complete news to me).
Anyways, if it isn't too late, send you bee suit back and get a couple of tyvek suits, one that fits you and one the next size larger and wear them together on your test runs:
Tyvek Suits from Aircraft Spruce
and then call Campmor and buy one of these:
Campmor: Mosquito Head Net
and you will be all set.
Another trick - We always took care of these vermin either at dawn or at dusk on nice days, or usually anytime on cold wet raining days.
However, I got in the practice of always keeping a lit cigar in my mouth and constantly keeping a Little cloud of cigar smoke around me.
Believe me the cigar really worked great when I was on a 40' extension ladder (or cherry picker) doing a church steeple or 3rd story roof-line.
The problem with spraying liquid insecticide at the entrance to the nest is that you piss them off and they will find another way out and the queen usually makes off to build a nest somewhere else - I even once saw some BF Hornets carrying their pupa with them flying out of the nest.
Anyways, sometimes it is a very good idea to make some fast passes with your tractor and your new suit on, with your implement hanging low to disturb vegetation (but not turned on yet) to try to stir up trouble. A few fast passes on the are you are palling to work ( as well as any adjoining areas) and you will know if you have an underground nest.
I always also scan trees looking for the grey oblong nest - a surefire telltale sign of vicious hornets.
Also keep in mind that honeybees die after a sting. Yellow jackets and hornets can sting repeatedly.
We used to mix Cyanide powder (Cynogas) with Sevin powder so we had a knockdown and a residual and then pumped the dust it into the nest ( BTW, I was never aware that yellow-jackets had 2 entry/exit holes - Complete news to me).
Anyways, if it isn't too late, send you bee suit back and get a couple of tyvek suits, one that fits you and one the next size larger and wear them together on your test runs:
Tyvek Suits from Aircraft Spruce
and then call Campmor and buy one of these:
Campmor: Mosquito Head Net
and you will be all set.
Another trick - We always took care of these vermin either at dawn or at dusk on nice days, or usually anytime on cold wet raining days.
However, I got in the practice of always keeping a lit cigar in my mouth and constantly keeping a Little cloud of cigar smoke around me.
Believe me the cigar really worked great when I was on a 40' extension ladder (or cherry picker) doing a church steeple or 3rd story roof-line.
The problem with spraying liquid insecticide at the entrance to the nest is that you piss them off and they will find another way out and the queen usually makes off to build a nest somewhere else - I even once saw some BF Hornets carrying their pupa with them flying out of the nest.
Anyways, sometimes it is a very good idea to make some fast passes with your tractor and your new suit on, with your implement hanging low to disturb vegetation (but not turned on yet) to try to stir up trouble. A few fast passes on the are you are palling to work ( as well as any adjoining areas) and you will know if you have an underground nest.
I always also scan trees looking for the grey oblong nest - a surefire telltale sign of vicious hornets.
Also keep in mind that honeybees die after a sting. Yellow jackets and hornets can sting repeatedly.
Gamemaster
Silver Member
I've have hogging my new property for 2 yrs now and only hit a few small ground nests , but I got a way in time. I have been reading everybody's prevention ideas and thought of this one. It seems bees are attracted to dark clothing and scents according to the statements made. What if you made some sort of BEE-DUMMY?; like a flag whip or flexible-pole mounted to the brush hog topped with an article of dark clothing and doused with your least favorite cologne ( or her perfume that you least appreciate ). At least when the plume of bees attack, they would concentrate on the 'dummy". I'm no expert on bees, not even a novice about bee-attacks. Maybe I'm off-track, but the bees don't go : " there he is, get'um". I think they would attack the items everybody mentioned,at least to give some time to evacuate.
Suit works as advertised, will wear it on every lot from now on as my needs are more complex than just finding a nest and killing it.
Thanks to all for the ideas but this suit is the answer and I tested it to the max when I knocked down a dead tree and crushed the nest. I parked the tractor up by the road and walked back to see the nest up close. There were hundreds of yellow jackets and I could hear and feel them as they attacked me. They only slid off the suit and I was able to play with the nest and even carried some of it out to the truck to show my old lady. I had warned her to roll up the windows before hand and she had a good laugh at me with the nest. But then she was sitting in the A/C and I was sweating even though the suit isn't overly hot. Spent about an hour and a half in the suit and could have gone longer if needed.
After being stung over 30 times since June, I no long dread bush hogging these lots. Was informed this afternoon that 8 more where coming for me to do in a couple of days.
Thanks to all for the ideas but this suit is the answer and I tested it to the max when I knocked down a dead tree and crushed the nest. I parked the tractor up by the road and walked back to see the nest up close. There were hundreds of yellow jackets and I could hear and feel them as they attacked me. They only slid off the suit and I was able to play with the nest and even carried some of it out to the truck to show my old lady. I had warned her to roll up the windows before hand and she had a good laugh at me with the nest. But then she was sitting in the A/C and I was sweating even though the suit isn't overly hot. Spent about an hour and a half in the suit and could have gone longer if needed.
After being stung over 30 times since June, I no long dread bush hogging these lots. Was informed this afternoon that 8 more where coming for me to do in a couple of days.
KEG
Bronze Member
If you don't want to use chemicals or petro procducts (I have sandy soil and am afraid of contaminating groundwater due to some of the "stuff" they put in fuel, etc.) I would recommend another enviroinentally freindly option:
If you can get close enough at night when they are not active, put a large glass jar with a wide mouth over the opening (like a large mayonaise jar). The bees can't fly out and get confused, but they don't realize how to get past the "invisible" obstruction. The result is a starved colony.
I haven't heard about a second hole or opening, but do know that this will work.
KEG
If you can get close enough at night when they are not active, put a large glass jar with a wide mouth over the opening (like a large mayonaise jar). The bees can't fly out and get confused, but they don't realize how to get past the "invisible" obstruction. The result is a starved colony.
I haven't heard about a second hole or opening, but do know that this will work.
KEG
daTeacha
Veteran Member
I was just thinking about this thread this week when I "discovered" a nest while pushing/carrying things to a burning brush pile. It was a little on the interesting side to have a fire in front of me, fence on either side, and a newly disturbed nest behind me while driving the tractor. They only got me twice, fortunately.
HEC
Veteran Member
I have run over several nests in the past when mowing and luckily never stung,I have a front end loader with a black bucket.I live in black bear country and black is a color the bees will instantly attack.As I am watching those pests just bounce off that bucket I drive a short distance from their nest,shut off the tractor, get off the tractor and go back in about a half hour and they will have all gone.Needless to say I always keep the bucket on and up in the air over the hood of the tractor a bit so it can be well seen.I always wear light colored clothing when mowing.I have used the gasoline down the hole several times just before dark and it works very well as already stated earlier.
midlf
Platinum Member
The campmor link for a net was interesting. I have one from Harbor Freight Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
westbrooklawn
Platinum Member
Hate to bring this topic back to the top, but you guessed it... I was out bush hogging a small 1 acre lot today and on my first pass through I hit a ground nest of yellow jackets... BOY DO THOSE LITTLE CRITTERS HURT!
I was lucky to only get stung 5 times. I parked the tractor until early in the morning when I plan on going back. I came home and pulled this thread up. I ended up going to a local beekeeper supply store and purchased a hat and veil... total price $27. Hopefully that plus a tyvek suit (which I have several of) will do the trick. The beekeeper told me that yellow jackets have been bad this year... no explanation.
By the way, I also picked up two cans of commercial wasp and hornet killer... I WILL be prepared when I go back!
I was lucky to only get stung 5 times. I parked the tractor until early in the morning when I plan on going back. I came home and pulled this thread up. I ended up going to a local beekeeper supply store and purchased a hat and veil... total price $27. Hopefully that plus a tyvek suit (which I have several of) will do the trick. The beekeeper told me that yellow jackets have been bad this year... no explanation.
By the way, I also picked up two cans of commercial wasp and hornet killer... I WILL be prepared when I go back!
slaveToHorses
Gold Member
westbrooklawn said:
If it is a ground nest you don't want to attack it with just the wasp spray. Pour something down it, like gas. You want a good amount of liquid down that hole, unless you are set up to pump dust in. I do them at night. I have a suit but they never even take flight so no worries. Pour a bit around the outside edge of the hole first to get the sentries then just pour the rest in and walk away.
westbrooklawn said:
Seems that the yellow jackets have moved into North Carolina. Keep in mind with the Tyvek suit that those little critters can find any gap and once they get inside they will nail you repeatedly. With the commercial bee keepers suit I don't have to worry about them getting in, that's worth the money that I paid. The hood on my suit zips to the suit and forms a tight seal, plus the gloves extend to my elbows for added protection. The sleeves and legs are sealed with velcro and I wear a pair of rubber boots. This system is pretty fool proof and I can operate the tractor without having to adjust the suit or veil. The suit also does not restrict my visibility or movement and I can easily turn to watch the bush hog or while backing up.
BTW, what part of NC are you in? I'm about 35 NE of Raleigh.
slaveToHorses
Gold Member
Sounds like you did a pretty good job of testing it to!!
Even in my bee suit, I don't think I would have gone in a played with the yellow jacket hive. I bow to your gumption man!
Even in my bee suit, I don't think I would have gone in a played with the yellow jacket hive. I bow to your gumption man!
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