What Do We Know About Wasps?

[Evans, Marv]

We always have a short time of the year when there are a ton of Yellow Jackets (meat bees as the locals call them) around and become a real bother. I just hang a plastic trap baited with attractant I buy from H.D. When it gets full, I empty it & replenish the attractant. After a while they decrease in number and fade out totally. Then I can sit on my swing in front overlooking the canyon in peace.

[Bob Kontak]

Demand CS

$40 for 8 oz online. Put it in a pump sprayer and spray where they enter the nest. Read the instructions and mix to the strongest ratio recommended if you are outside. 8 oz is like 90 years worth of supply.

They get it on their little feet and then go inside the nest.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Demand CS

$40 for 8 oz online. Put it in a pump sprayer and spray where they enter the nest. Read the instructions and mix to the strongest ratio recommended if you are outside. 8 oz is like 90 years worth of supply.

They get it on their little feet and then go inside the nest.

On the list, thanks.

[Joe Bob]

Originally Posted by svandamme

you may have different types
We got french fieldwasps here, but they are non aggressive, don't go for meat and show up for water when it's dry.

they are very distinctive for the long hanging legs


technically they aren't really bastards

French wasps.....that's apropos

[thor66]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Wasps eat aphids and other insects. They are part of nature's balance. If they don't perceive a threat they don't offer a threat. Unfortunately they don't always choose to nest where you would prefer. I try and watch for the scouts that establish the beginnings of a nest and destroy the nest leaving the wasp to find another more desirable location.

exactly right

I use a high pressure hose from a distance

[Joe Bob]

I love watching wasps die.

[john70t]

They once built a couple nests inside my garage eaves about five feet from the workbench.
Ate the asparagus bugs and probably aphids outside. Never bothered me.
Buzzed a little when I turned on the florescent lights at night.

This year I was bit by a spider and stung by honeybee. A first in many years.

[Helix8]

I ran into this pulling vines off the Azaleas did not see it. Got stung in the chest, took it and stood still only to get stung in the back. Got away as quickly and safely as I could. The nest was a little larger than a volleyball. Used Spectracide Pro Wasp & Hornet spray on it that night.

[Fast Freddy 944]

I buy the wasp shot spray, point and spray and usually it nail em and they fall and croak..

[A930Rocket]

If I see a wasp (or any flying/stinging bug), they are dead, just as fast as I can kill them, with anything I have.

About 25 years ago, a friend and I were walking a lot to build a house on and I walked up to a tree, that had an opening at the bottom.

As I stood there, I said that looks like a great place for bees. As soon as I said that, a black cloud of yellow jackets came up out of the ground and stung me 18 times, as I was running away. My friend didn’t move and only got stung one time.

I had a real phobia/aversion to stinging insects after that, for years.

[stevej37]

If the nest is out in the open...hornet spray or gasoline will drop them fast.

If the nest is hidden behind a wall...this sprayer with Sevin Dust kills them fast.
One puff on a bees nest is usually all you need. HD has it in small bags..cheap.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by svandamme

you may have different types
We got french fieldwasps here, but they are non aggressive, don't go for meat and show up for water when it's dry.

they are very distinctive for the long hanging legs


technically they aren't really bastards

Oh now that’s funny.
French wasps are pacifist vegetarians. Color me surprised...

[ckcarr]

Expect the wasps and hornets to become more and more aggressive through September, when they disappear and die off.

Wasps do not return to the same nest each year, they build new somewhere else.

Paper wasp versus yellowjacket - https://www.rescue.com/latest-buzz/outdoor-pests/how-to-tell-a-wasp-from-a-yellowjacket/

The nests that are clearly visible, like up in the eaves are usually paper wasps that are only mildly aggressive. But will sting and chase you.


Yellowjackets like to live in holes underground and are nasty critters, especially if you run over their hive with a lawn mower.

This, looks like a Bald Faced Hornet hive. Not very friendly either!

[mattdavis11]

Almost got it tonight. One of my cars I have put on the back burner for far too long, was yellow jacket central. I was under it, and just before I grab the fender liner, there it was.



Going in. I did put gloves on.



The kill.



The nest.



It could have been a bad night! Brake cleaner with the win!

Edit: Paper Wasp, ckcarr nailed it.

[HobieMarty]

Yeah and they don't like PB Blaster either, it knocks them down pretty quick!!!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[ckelly78z]

While playing a round of disc golf in the West Virginia mountains with my family, my son got into a den of ground hornets. He came running up the hill like his shorts were on fire with about 20 hornets on his body continuing to bite him. My SIL, and I each got bit several times trying to get his shirt off, and shoo them away....I've never seen anything so aggressive in my life.

[Crowbob]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

If I see a wasp (or any flying/stinging bug), they are dead, just as fast as I can kill them, with anything I have.

About 25 years ago, a friend and I were walking a lot to build a house on and I walked up to a tree, that had an opening at the bottom.

As I stood there, I said that looks like a great place for bees. As soon as I said that, a black cloud of yellow jackets came up out of the ground and stung me 18 times, as I was running away. My friend didn’t move and only got stung one time.

I had a real phobia/aversion to stinging insects after that, for years.

That would have killed me. I mowed over a ground bees’ nest and got stung in the leg twice like I got hit by rocks from a slingshot. Started itching like crazy, I turned beet red, my lips swelled and mouth went numb. I did made it to the hospital and went into anaphylactic shock, throat tightened up and was sweating profusely. Epinephrine shots. Doc pulled the Chief Sandwicher aside and told her if my reaction didn’t reverse in the next two minutes, I was a goner.

1/2 hour later I was sitting on the porch having a beer being quite thankful.

Doc said if I ever get stung again immediately go to ER. Now, when I see a bee/wasp/Yellowjacket/whatever it’s DEFCON V, search and destroy, shoot to kill, aim later.

The following summer I got stung again. Drove myself to the ER told the receptionist the situation, she took down my info and I waited.

Nothing.

ER doc came out and asked why am I here? Blah, blah. He says Ok. How about we pretend you were never here, delete any evidence of it and be done.

I’m good with that and good to go.

[Bugsinrugs]

I was up on the roof of my porch staining the upper portion of my house. Thought I had cleared all the wasp nests when I power washed. I got stung four times on the neck while staining. Lucky me, I didn’t fall off the roof straddling the gable end flailing my arms. My neck swelled slightly but the itch was terrible.

[red-beard]

It's long, but very good. Run it at 2x

[JackDidley]

Wasps have been building a nest under the siding next to my garage door for a week. This thread motivated me to spray it down last night at midnight. Sort of hated to do it. Pretty sure they were the reason my cucumbers produced so well this summer.