Wildlife and Gardens - Part 7: Re: About Yellowjackets

» Marge_Talt - Re: About Yellowjackets

In response to message posted by Minnie:

Yup....that nest of yellow jackets encountered as a child sent me into panic mode:-) I remember being absolutely miserable for the rest of the day and night. In those days, about the only remedy was baking soda plaster...and that didn't do much to take the sting away, as I recall. I was about 8 or so at the time. I can still recall the incident clearly and that was about 50 years ago...has stayed in my memory:-)

Any of those wasp sprays are going to be pretty toxic to other insects..and goodness knows what else. I don't llike to use them and only when, like you, I end up with a nest in a spot that is actually dangerous.

If they built inside a faucet insulator cover, I am pretty certain they must be some type of wasp.

Wasps can be aggressive, too. Some are and some aren't, but in your case, I don't see how you can function in their vacinity without them getting aggressive.

One year, we had a nest of a very interesting white faced wasp or hornet in a cavity in the stone facing on the bottom part of our house. I happened to be building the bed next to that part of the house and noticed them watching me. I watched them...they watched me and I was very careful to not make any sudden movements when I had to be near their particular stone...but we left each other in peace:-)

If they are located in as small an area as I am visualizing, I should think you would only need to be able to direct the spray up (or down) into the place they are entering and leaving from..should penetrate into the nest there and you would not need to spray a wide area at all.

If the Ortho brand has some residual effect, sounds like it would be a good one for this type of situation, since you shouldn't have to spray a wide area with it.

If you wait until after dark, when they should all be in the nest, and that spray is fast acting, it is unlikely that they will fly out and try to sting you...but I think being prepared is better than being stung, so do think some kind of protective get up is a good idea and the netting is excellent - If you have a wide-brimmed hat, you can drape it over the brim and secure it under your shirt - will keep them out of your face and hair, should they start buzzing around...and the hat brim will keep the net off your face.

Although it's probably as hot and sticky where you are as where I am, a thickish sort of long sleeve jacket might be a good idea...if they are wasps or hornets, their stinger can go through a thin shirt with no problem.

Best of luck there...let me know what happens!

-- posted by Marge_Talt