O T yellow jackets

farmerjohn

Well-known Member
My son was playing in the yard and apparently walked across a yellow jacket nest in the ground and got stung six times. I know within a 25 foot square area where the nest is, but can?t see any flying around. How can I safely (without getting stung) find the nest and how do I kill them?
 
I would put a sheet of plastic over the area. The wasps will show up on top and bottom of the plastic. This locates the nest. I use a thin vinyl tube (1/4" od or less) and adapt it to a wasp killer aerosol spray can. At night when they are less active, I empty a can into the nest by sticking the tube into the hole, then putting a shovel of dirt on the connection before squirting. Put the plastic back on the ground to keep in the fumes. Jim
 

Last summer I took care of two ground wasp nest with my shop vac. The first took around an hour the second was all done at 45 minutes.
 
I?ve had several tricksters tell tales of parking the lawn mower over the hole. The other option I came into is ?Tempo? which I?ve used on my buildings to deter Asian Beetles and flies. It will also knock out wasps. It is basically the same active ingredients the white washers put in the mix when they sprayed the dairy barn for flies. It?s not cheap but if you pencil it out it?s cheaper than Black Flag.
a276622.jpg
 
You can sit quietly and watch until you see where they are. Generally they'll be going in one direction. Late afternoon when the sun is getting low makes it easier to see. A small hole in the ground with the grass cleared around it. I usually wait till after dark and it's cool when they don't fly. Pout about a half pint of gas in the hole, wait a few minutes then light it. There will be a few stragglers for a couple of days.
 
(quoted from post at 17:09:26 08/12/18) Just sit and watch. You will see them coming back this evening.

This post right here answers your question. Vic is dead-on with that. I don't trust any other method of finding the nest other than to simply watch for the wasps coming and going from their hole. ...It [i:535cd1e251]might [/i:535cd1e251]not be where you think it "should" be!
 
Last year was a bumper year for those guys around here. This year, not so much. We have been using 'Rescue' wasp traps (made in Washington and east/west coast specific), with great success. The trick seems to be, first time you see a wasp, kill it with a shot of wasp spray, then put out the Rescue traps/ Workin' here. HTH
 
If they had stung my son six times they would have gotten a flame-thrower! Once you find the hole pour a pint of gas mixed with a little diesel down the hole with a wide mouth Mason jar. Cover the hole with a rock or dirt. They won't complain.
 
My experience has been that you will have to watch them come and go...and guaranteed that they have at least two entrances and exists, and depending upon the size of the nest I'm guessing that the holes will be within 3 to 4 feet of each other. Best time to get them is at sundown or actual night. There will still be some stragglers but most of them will be in the nest at sundown.

The best thing that I've found for taking MOST of the sting out is meat tenderizer made into a paste. It will take MOST of the sting out quickly, but not all.

Good luck.

Mark
 
I see some comments about using gasoline to kill wasps. It least here in Oregon it is against the law to use gasoline for insect control.
Ted
 
I did that when I was a kid, I took a shortcut through some high grass and happened to look down when I stepped on the corner of a nest that was about 6" in diameter. Tried to run but they got me. I bet I got a hundred stings on my left arm.

I would think the next day after they have settled down you could slowly walk in the area and search for the nest. They are not as aggressive as a lot of wasps. I have some red wasps on my place that will come after you if you get within six feet of the nest whether you are bothering them or not.
 
We just burnt out a nest night before last. In my experience watch the area for a few moments, if active nest they are going in and out constantly. In our area they use only one hole. Void in ground can get as big as soccer ball; I did them up under the protection of a flame.
Real danger to kids/people with allergies.
 
(quoted from post at 23:20:35 08/12/18) I see some comments about using gasoline to kill wasps. It least here in Oregon it is against the law to use gasoline for insect control.
Ted

Why would you continue to live there?
 
We have a large YG that makes it's nest near the ground usually. They like fence gates like some I made out of W shaped, steel rafters like you find in flat roofed industrial buildings with 2x2 square tubing tops and bottoms. Really hurt. Got to where I'd kick a gate and stand back before I attempted to open it. Only thing I ever encountered in the ground was mowing for a neighbor in a field that hadn't been mowed for years, I ran across a Bumble Bee nest. They came out and flew around but didn't get me.
 
(quoted from post at 06:41:58 08/13/18)
(quoted from post at 23:20:35 08/12/18) I see some comments about using gasoline to kill wasps. It least here in Oregon it is against the law to use gasoline for insect control.
Ted

Why would you continue to live there?

48 CaseVAI, Perhaps he sees the regulation as bearable when he considers how it reduces the workload and danger for firefighters.
 
(quoted from post at 08:50:27 08/13/18)
(quoted from post at 06:41:58 08/13/18)
(quoted from post at 23:20:35 08/12/18) I see some comments about using gasoline to kill wasps. It least here in Oregon it is against the law to use gasoline for insect control.
Ted

Why would you continue to live there?

48 CaseVAI, Perhaps he sees the regulation as bearable when he considers how it reduces the workload and danger for firefighters.
Just want to clarify. Gasoline is banned for insect control or using fire for insect control is banned?
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top