Hornet's Nest

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:12 pm

Last fall, I was unfortunate enough to stumble upon a Hornet's (or ground wasp?) nest in my back yard.

Any ideas on how to safely find the nest and get rid of it, or should I call an expert for this? If so, any recommendations?

Carl Fisher · **Posted:** Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:38 pm

Assuming the nest is still there, it should be fairly easy to spot on a sunny day, with the wasps flying in and out all the time. Mark the location with a cone or something if you don't think you can find it easily later.

Just after dusk all the bugs will be back in the nest. Then unload a can of Raid into the entrance hole.

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:50 pm

One word.

FIRE

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

Fire Fire Fire!!!!!1

Stephen Westerfield · **Posted:** Fri Apr 21, 2006 3:06 pm

scottjohnson wrote:

One word.

FIRE

I don't have much experience with this...but the one nest I delt with had two openings....about 20-25' apart. Make sure you find both. A sneak attack from behind while you are watching the one hole burn doesn't sound fun.

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Fri Apr 21, 2006 3:22 pm

Carl Fisher wrote:

Assuming the nest is still there, it should be fairly easy to spot on a sunny day, with the wasps flying in and out all the time. Mark the location with a cone or something if you don't think you can find it easily later.

I've watched and haven't seen them yet this year. I can't imagine they picked up and left their nest though?

Rich Anderson · **Posted:** Fri Apr 21, 2006 3:30 pm

Not sure if it would work on these critters, but the best way of getting rid of the in-ground pest in my yard, fire ants, is to pour a large pot of boiling water into their nest. Not only does the boiling water kill the little bastards, the sudden rush of water collapses their nest so they have nothing to return to. I have yet to have an ants nest re-colonize after the boiling water treatment.

Not sure if this would work on your problem, although I doubt that a wasp or hornet would live through boiling water. Just not sure if it would get into their nest properly like it does with the ants.

CosbyWood · **Posted:** Fri Apr 21, 2006 4:01 pm

Rich Anderson wrote:

Not sure if it would work on these critters, but the best way of getting rid of the in-ground pest in my yard, fire ants, is to pour a large pot of boiling water into their nest. Not only does the boiling water kill the little bastards, the sudden rush of water collapses their nest so they have nothing to return to. I have yet to have an ants nest re-colonize after the boiling water treatment.

Not sure if this would work on your problem, although I doubt that a wasp or hornet would live through boiling water. Just not sure if it would get into their nest properly like it does with the ants.

I had never heard of or thought of that approach to fire ants. Maybe I should try that this weekend on my unwanted guests. :twisted:

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

boiling water : fire ants :: gun : Mongo

George Bright · **Posted:** Fri Apr 21, 2006 6:28 pm

Wes Eargle wrote:

boiling water : fire ants :: gun : Mongo

The bitch was inventing the Candygram.

Emmie Fisher · **Posted:** Fri Apr 21, 2006 8:24 pm

Maybe try these guys...

http://wake.ces.ncsu.edu/

Rick Butters · **Posted:** Fri Apr 21, 2006 10:13 pm

Did I just see Emmie make an NC State recommendation :lol:

Emmie Fisher · **Posted:** Fri Apr 21, 2006 10:19 pm

Hey, I never said those guys weren't good for somethin'. :wink:

'Course, unless & until somebody actually gets an answer from 'em that works to solve Jason's problem...

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Fri Apr 21, 2006 11:22 pm

Jason,

The "wasp/hornets that nest in the ground that I've seen (or seen too late and been stung by

) were yellow jackets. They tend to show up a little later in the year (summer). The holes are fairly small at first and may be hidden in shrub areas. As noted above, if they are yellow jackets, you should be able to stand back and watch where they fly to/from. NOTE if you just upset them a lot with the lawn mower, etc. give them lots of time to regain their tempers . . . they will chase you. As noted above once you find and mark the hole go back at dusk with a can or two of any good wasp and hornet spray. Spray down the hole. Problem should go away with one, or sometimes two doses.

Dick

Kevin Butler · **Posted:** Sat Apr 22, 2006 6:30 am

I dealt with Yellow Jackets in the back yard with a pint of gas and a match. Pour the gas down the hole late in the day when they're mostly all present, get back 8 ft or so and ignite(a piece of cardboard on the end of a long stick is pretty safe). Problem solved.

Be careful of the gas fumes. It's amazing how far they can spread out along the ground.

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