Okay.
Many yellowjackets spotted going in and out of 1/4-1/2" hole in foundation (but not into house) where mortar has crumbled. It is close to where we go in and out and sit. The one sting I had years ago was really awful. I don’t think I can have a nest right there.
I don’t like to spray, but I got some wasp and hornet spray. It said it worked on yellowjackets. The spray came out in a forceful stream like a fire hose. That was good for getting the spray in the hole, but it said I was supposed to get the spray on the yellowjackets. Well, you can’t hit an individual very annoyed yellowjacket with a little stream of poison! Good night!
This morning they are coming and going as usual. Cement blocks look as though poison has sort of gotten into pores because it is dark and wet-looking around hole. I found two yellowjackets crawling on ground and unable to fly, so they clearly had been poisoned.
Questions:
Do we think the poison that got into hole might kill more of them as time goes by? Is it maybe sort of liquidy in the hole and they might land in it? How do I spray the individuals? Is the spray supposed to be a solid little stream (the brand was Raid) or is it supposed to be more like a spray? Should I just spray a little in there every morning and night (the instructions said they are less active at those times)?
Should I try to plug up the hole somehow? I’m not sure duct tape would stick very well. I wouldn’t have much time to fool with it. I would have to be able to slap something on and run.
My husband suggests going after them with a small torch we have. I don’t think this sounds wise. I would have to do it because I fear he would set the house on fire. I don’t really fancy chasing yellowjackets with a flame, but I could give it a try I guess.
Congratulations, that looks like a flame-thrower! I can’t imagine what that fellow is doing with it. On the one hand, if I were to go after yellowjackets, I guess a nice long flame would be nice. But it would be hard to avoid the house and fence. Mercy!
Denny, right you are—NOT likely. I can’t imagine anything that would get me to go under a house. Yellowjackets might actually be the least of my fears in that situation. I will try to plug up hole. Maybe some putty or something. I will put another good dose of spray in first and let the outside dry a bit. And then put gloves on and shove putty in hole.
We get lots of mud daubers, yellow jackets, etc, here. The spray is supposed to be more like a squirt gun and less like a spray, so that you can spray from a good distance and hopefully get a good head start on them if you make them mad Most sprays say use at night becuase the bugs are more likely to be in the nest and more dormant then anyway.
If the can says “keeps killing for 8 weeks” or something like that, getting a good bunch up in the hole ought to work fine. It may take a few days for them all to get poisoned and die.
I actually once got a hornet with the spray while it was flying at me in the garage after I hit it’s nest. But I’m pretty sure that was more desperation than skill.
I agree with Wanderer about the long-distance touch. Its for hitting them when they’re coming at you. You start from several paces away and move in, trying to nail any that come at you, but you also want to get right up to the hole and kill the nest. For a residual effect, check out sprays like CrawlTox or similar that are intended to leave a residual poison. Spray this on the edges of the hole as well as right into the hole. I’m afraid you’re going to have to get brave with this if you want to kill the nest.
Well, I just went out there with a flashlight. It’s about a quarter to 10 here. There were none flying around at all and I got right up to that hole and sprayed the rest of the can in there. None came out, so either they are too sleepy or they are gone. It is a little chilly tonight. I hope they are sleepy and that I got a lot of them. I think I sprayed way too early in the evening before. Will make my next report tomorrow. Thanks for the advice! Over and out.
As it cools, in the evening, they will become less active. Good time to squirt if you can get the nest while they are all at home.
If the nest is not at the end of the hole you are relying on the residual effect during passage through the hole. Just plug the sucker late enough or early enough that they are not using it.
Then you can start watching the rest of the house for other means of egress!
We sell the yellowjacket traps where I work, and most customers say they don’t use the bait supplied. Instead they either put apple juice inside or some raw hamburger. The yellowjackets are looking for protein this time of year (like meat, including human meat.) That’s why they land on your picnic dishes.
Hmmm, we have yellowjackets here. They often make huge nests in walls, foundations, and crawl spaces. Upon becoming annoyed, they can swarm in such huge numbers that they kill humans and animals. We have an unfortunate episode a few times a year. The nests have to be removed by professionals.
Please be careful. That nest may be a lot larger than you think.
And, be careful when you block that hole. They WILL come into your home if they can’t get out their usual way. And they’ll be upset.
I don’t use the supplied attractant - it’s lousy stuff, IMO.
What goes in my traps ( I have 3 around the house) is a slice of bacon, usually the maple-flavored thick-cut stuff. I need just one slice, cut it into three equal pieces (one for each trap) then roll it up and place it in the bottom of each trap.
Usually within a few days the trap requires emptying. I think that earlier this year I must have trapped a queen, because there’ve been very few of these buggers around the area that normally has lots of 'em.
Bye-bye pests.
Try some maple-flavored bacon. They seem to love it.
What kind of bothersome creature don’t you have in that neck of the woods.
I agree blocking the nest will only result in them getting into the house.
I think the flame idea is neat but only if you douse the place with gasoline first. Of course some might think it overkill and your insurance company wouldn’t be amused.
I had an underground nest in my yard last year. I didn’t know about it until I mowed over it. I didn’t know I had mowed over it until I got stung twice and saw several squadrons peeling off for another run. That night I poured petrol in the hole. No fire necessary. They don’t like petrol.
(I switched terms in honor of my European friends).
keep spraying it AT NIGHT. All the little buggers are in there at night, while they are out and about during the day.
And I also agree that you need to keep a really close eye out to make sure they aren’t coming into the house. They will burrow right through drywall.
Also make sure you do something to that space this winter. Spray some of that foam insulation and then put a wood plug there. Once a creature finds a place for a nest, it seems they put the information in the “for rent” space in their newspaper, and you buggies trying to live there every summer.
On the one hand, if I were to go after yellowjackets, I guess a nice long flame would be nice. But it would be hard to avoid the house and fence. Mercy!
Most sprays say use at night becuase the bugs are more likely to be in the nest and more dormant then anyway.
