Summary:
Thinking of removing a yellow jacket nest yourself? Take some real care before taking on this task. Yellow jackets can be harmful to your health.
Grace M; Waterloo, Ontario asks: I have a yellow jacket nest above a soffit in the corner by a door that we use to get from the house to the pool. I have sprayed foam insecticide in the areas four times, but the next morning they are right back again. How can I get rid of these pests without removing the aluminum soffit?
Dear Grace: The most effective way to kill off a yellow jacket nest is by using pesticide dusts. You pump the dust into the entry hole of the nest with a powder duster such as those sold under the Centro Company bulb dusters name. For extra safety you can buy a Gotcha Sprayer Pro extension pole that
holds the powder duster and keeps you fifteen feet from the wasp nest. You can purchase pesticide dusts at most lawn and garden stores, but the Gotcha Sprayer Pro extension is only available on-line.
The pesticide dust coats the wasps as they leave and enter their hive and kills them in short order. But, be very careful, as yellow jackets are very aggressive. They are not very social and often sting even when you haven't threatened them. Do the work in the dark using a flashlight and wear protective clothing. Or, call a pest control professional to do the work.
The longest surviving member of the colony is the queen, but she will die in the nest in the fall. All the adult reproductive wasps will leave the nest to mate. The remaining worker wasps will slowly die out as the weather turns cooler. The nest is never re-used by the wasps. So, once all wasp activity ceases the only task you are faced with is removing the nest from the soffit so it does not attract other insects that feed on dead insects.
Click here to watch my short video on how to control wasps.
Comments
John
09 Sep 2009, 14:12
Big yellowjacket problem at our house. Sprayed the hole in our foundation
with spray, and then sealed it off with caulk. Then sealed off a secondary
exit in the basement. They are buzzing and mad. I can hear them. That
was yesterday. Will the nest die of starvation, or am I doomed to them
escaping and getting revenge?
Mindy
17 Sep 2009, 17:50
Where can I buy the temp dust spray? I have a very large yellow jacket
nest, approx. 2' x 3' in my attic. The nest is located about 12 to 15 foot
from the access door. The most important thing is that I have a child that
is allergic to bees. I need your help!!!
jerry
18 Sep 2009, 14:25
9/17/09 I have a yellowjacket nest in a wall and I can't get close enough
to the entry point to spray or dust the colony. Late summer and early fall
(September in NYC area) they've been getting into my house, a few a day,
mostly lethargic or dead when I find them.
Can I leave the whole nest to die this fall? I've read that I need NOT
remove anything from within the wall; just caulk up the entry point once
all activity stops. Thanks. Jerry
Joyce
27 Sep 2009, 12:29
I am fighting yellow jackets this fall bad....need advice
Steve
03 Nov 2009, 11:13
We have tons of yellow jackets flying around the bushes that run along side
of our house. We have had some on our kitchen windows and on the basement
windows. I do not see any points of entry in these two rooms.
I have sprayed three cans of wasp/hornet killer into what I THINK is their
entry way into the wall of our home. I have found some dead ones in the
basement after doing this.
I also hung a bee trap on our bushes and have caught some this way. I don't
hear any buzzing so I am hoping that means there is not a large nest. What
would be the best way to kill these pests since I am not too sure of their
entry way nor can I see a nest. Also, if I do succeed in killing them, do I
need to hunt for the nest and remove it? Thanks!
bridgette
08 Dec 2009, 22:03
iam having problem with bees in my kitchen i live in a apartment it all
started outside my livingroom balcony they came and sealed the hole but
they didnt remove the hive so im trying to find out what i need to do
because i think their coming through the heating vent in my livingroom and
they are coming more in my kitchen i called and told them but they say they
have to put in a work order do you think their going to get worser
k_debeau@hotmail.com
13 Jan 2010, 19:57
Hi there...so it's winter in Ontario and suddenly I keep finding wasps
flying around inside my house...where would I look for the nest? And is
there some kind of trap I can set up to attract them so there is less
chance my kids will get stung? Thanks....
suzanne
30 May 2010, 11:13
Do yellow jackets live underground too! I have some old partally rotted
good ol' railroad ties where last season I saw them actively flying in and
out of a hole on the end. Was around there sweeping falagstone stepping
stones, noticing little dime size holes here and there, I think while
sweeping dust off stones into some of thoose holes I disturbed them. Bingo!
2 got me.Lots of woods in yard and aroung house, last year dog found nest
under some brush and wood, she had about 50 on her, I got me I have been
stung 3 times 2 incidents, pissed I have an Epi-pen now. Little cautious by
railroad ties, How to find a good exterminator, have a feeling area by RR
ties is pretty infested! yesterday while cleaning us brush I could swear I
hear them buzzing under there, do they even buzz? Active season is when?
James Morris
05 Jul 2010, 19:54
Found a yellow Jackets nest with two points of entry in the retaining wall
of railroad/cross ties and steps at the rear of my house. My youngest son
and my dog were stung multiple times.
Ask the Exterminator
05 Jul 2010, 21:05
It's fairly easy to treat the entryways with Tempo 1% pesticide dust. Don't
clost the entries after treatment. Allow the wasps to come and go and the
dust will kill them off. You can buy Tempo on my website. Just paste this
link into your browser:
http://shop.asktheexterminator.com/tempo-1-dust.html.
