paper wasps/yellowjackets

[Mobuck]

Man, this year has allowed a terrible number of above ground paper nest making insects to thrive. In dry(er) years, the pests build paper nests in anything-bushes, fence braces, loose bark-anything that offers a wee bit of protection.
In wetter summers, they don't seem to survive as well and we don't see nearly as many.
We've been building fence off and on for a month and I've been stung several times by paper wasps protecting a nest in little bushes and/or piles of material. Yesterday, we found 3 nests. One was in a pile of T-posts that I'd loaded on a wagon 3 weeks ago. One was in a little sprout that had been run over with a brushhog(how the little buggers survived that is ?????). One was in a multiflora rose bush next to a gate we were working on. No one got stung this time but it made for some lively exits a couple of times. They like to build in thorn sprouts/rose bushes as those offer night time protection against coons and such.

 

[BearBio]

Poor man's safari time!

I hunt those and black widows whenever and wherever. Don't mind rattlers but wasps and widows...........

 

[gramps]

Poor man's safari time!

I hunt those and black widows whenever and wherever. Don't mind rattlers but wasps and widows...........

Ha, ha, ha! Yep, wasps and yellow jackets are either killed by me or the bears. I have never seen a poisonous snake on my property. Only Kings, black Rat, Black racers, Garden, green etc. they are all cool. Alas, I ran over a Black Racer with the lawn mower last week! A moment of silence was held in its honor.
Mobuck, glad you all weren't stung!
gramps

 

[ronto]

I went through 3 large cans of Wasp & Hornet Killer so far this year. They build their paper nests on the inside roof of my barn and dive at me every time I go in. I usually don't bother them unless they bother me, no more Mr. Nice Guy.

 

[loiblb]

They build inside my electric motors all the time or maybe that's dirt dobbers.

 

[Jeepnik]

Poor man's safari time!

I hunt those and black widows whenever and wherever. Don't mind rattlers but wasps and widows...........

Had problems with paper wasps for a few years, but spraying the nests regularly took care of them. As to black widows, here's my answer.

 

[737tdi]

Dang, yellow jackets hurt. Earlier in the year I went into my shop, came out and closed the door, got stung six times before I could say pffffttt. They had a nest above the door that I didn't see until after I was ambushed. I really thought I might have to go to the ER. Started getting very hot and clammy. It eventually went away but was a tad scary. They died a spectacular death with the wasp spray. I don't mind the dirt dobbers and bees but jackets are now on my "always exterminate list".


Karl

 

[volshooter]

Yep, yellow jackets have gone to ground here too. Got hit 4 times Thursday. One was just under my left breast and I thought I might have to use my Epi pen, decided not to since the cost went sky high. Did swell up a might and ole ticker hit hard for a while, but no stings near head/neck area. Them sobs run me pert near 200 yards...uphill. Gave em bout 20 minutes and a quart of high grade gas.

 

[737tdi]

Yep, yellow jackets have gone to ground here too. Got hit 4 times Thursday. One was just under my left breast and I thought I might have to use my Epi pen, decided not to since the cost went sky high. Did swell up a might and ole ticker hit hard for a while, but no stings near head/neck area. Them sobs run me pert near 200 yards...uphill. Gave em bout 20 minutes and a quart of high grade gas.

I don't know that I am allergic to anything but these guys sure made me think about it. I've never felt like I did when these guys hit me that day. Maybe it was just overload from all of the stings. I sure hope so anyway.


Karl

 

[dreamer]

6 cans of spray down so far trying to keep them off my wife's deck, my elevated shooting stand.

 

[stevemb]

I've done a good job of keeping the wasps numbers down using my rice loads, but then, now I have 5 hornets nests ! Three within a ten foot area ! Can't fight one without them going the mutual support route on me. Then found two more ground nests in the yard. Wife out shopping now, wasp/hornet spray on her shopping list. Grrrrrr !

 

[toysoldier]

A little technical information, courtesy of "Common Missouri Wasps and Bees" by J.H. Hunt and M.S. Arduser and printed by the Missouri conservation Commission:

mud daubers-- "All species (of mud daubers) place paralyzed spiders in the nest cells as provisions for the young. Blue mud daubers use large numbers of black widow spiders."

paper wasps-- "Paper wasps specialize in feeding caterpillars to their young and so are among the most beneficial insects."

yellowjackets-- "Two native species occur...the introduced German yellowjacket is expanding its range...The native species often nest underground...They will also nest above ground in buildings, which is the preferred site of the German yellowjacket."

 

[Mobuck]

Based on the number stings, my worst incident happened about 30 years ago. I was plowing after dark and got a piece of driftwood caught in the plow frame. Bailed off to kick it loose and walked right into a huge nest of yellow jackets(ground bees as some call them). Too dark to get away so I got stung 10-12 times. After all those stings I still had to brave the horde to get back on the tractor (no cab) and try to jiggle the log loose. Finally gave up and headed for the house. Log fell out somewhere along the way but I just kept going. By the time I made the mile back to the house, my face and neck was swollen seriously bad. Back in those days we kept prescription Benedryl on hand for such encounters so I took one immediately and a second about an hour later. Took about 3 hours for everything to settle down and then went to bed.
The hollow log I'd picked up was full of nest but I took care of it with a quart of gas and a match.

 

[BucolicBuffalo]

I know paper wasps and carpenter bees are supposed to be good insects. But they have been a pain around here for two summers. Destroyed three wasps nests and been stung twice. Did not know they were there.

Heard a wood pecker banging out back. It was on a wood frame holding a lean-to type roof over the back patio. They were tearing it apart for carpenter bees. Going to have to tear that down and rebuild it.

What I have not even seen one of this year is cicada killer wasps. Those are as big as an F14 Tomcat.

 

[Sin6Sec63451022]

Just an FYI: Brakleen kills them right now. Make sure you have the squirt tube in and it will shoot about 10 ft. Doesn't leave the oily residue like bee bops do.

 

[speedsixman]

If you can squirt Sevin dust into the opening to the nest, it will wipe them out pronto.
They track it back into the nest and wipe out the whole mess.

Myron