While my 16yo son was mowing the lawn with our push-reel mower, our neighbor on one side slowed down his rider-mower to a crawl, grinned at my son, and said, “That’s some ancient technology you have there, boy.”
I bought the reel mower thinking it would provide me with some exercise, and it’s quiet enough that I can listen to an audiobook while doing the lawn.
As it turns out, my son, who at 16 has no interest in social media. and who voluntarily turns off the computer after his one- or two-hours of daily “screen time,” rather enjoys using the rotary analog mower.
Or at least he did until the other day, when he came in saying he had mowed over a wasp nest in the ground, and was stung twice.
I found not one, but two nests.
From what I’ve learned about ground-nesting wasps, I assume these are two different nests, rather than two entrances to the same nest. I guess I’ll find out tonight, when they’re settled in for the night.
I’m thinking of putting a glass bowl over one hole (just in case I’m wrong and one hole is an escape tunnel) and trying to flush out the nest with the hose. I gather that water alone won’t do the trick, since surely wasps know how to deal with water coming into that hole; but boiling water? Dish detergent down the hole first, followed by boiling water? Expanding foam insulation? With a colander or screen or something over the hole, so the wasps can’t come out and get me?
The next chapter in the adventure was actually a bit anti-climactic. https://www.facebook.com/dennis.jerz/media_set?set=a.10152176398037522.1073741854.645532521&type=1 I poured boiling water in one nest, and simply put a glass jar over the other. We’ll see what happens.
I thought you said you had a sense of adventure. The gasoline! The flames! The flying, flaming swarming yellow jackets looking to share the love, with you! That’s adventure!
bahahahahahahaha!!!! oh Dennis, you are NO FUN!!! LOL!
The idea of videotaping an angry swarm of gasoline-soaked flaming wasps in the moonlight is very appealing, but I think I can resist that temptation.
Jeremy has a pressure washer….now that might be fun!!! LOL!
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Gera Exterminating
Personally i think the firecracker and gasoline route that Bradley mentioned is the most exciting!! And i would probably have to come video tape that LOL! I think i would probably wait till dark and do the boiling water too though :)
Definitely not going the gasoline route!
That is my method. Gasoline is dangerous. Rolling eyes.
One can per nest. Empty it. Don’t stop spraying.
Lol
She hit me with a Picard-Riker double facepalm!!
Thanks, Becky. Boiling water and a glass jar over the hole seem the most environmentally friendly options. A co-worker whose father-in- law is an exterminator says pour in bleach, stuff the hole w a rag , and leave for 2 days.
Lisa Geary Hoffman Calling an exterminator would take away the do-it-yourself adventure. And we all know I am nothing if not a thrill-seeker.
Everyone I have ever known has poured gasoline in the hole and lit in on fire. It works, but it’s not very environmentally conscious. Robby says to use dry ice. It will turn into carbon dioxide as it heats up and sink down into the hole, suffocating all the wasps. Personally, using gasoline sounds more exciting.
I remember a debacle with this as a kid. Partly because we did it during the day. Partly because we did it with gasoline and firecrackers. We did get our exercise though, running for our lives. If only that was the dumbest thing we ever did as kids.
i have read about 12 articles now and a lot of people are saying to pour gasoline down the hole…. some say up to 2 gallons!!! LOL! Do it at night though, whatever you decide to do :) Use the light of tonight’s SUPER MOON! ;)
here is a non toxic solution. And i have seen it written that just soapy water or boiling water will work as well. http://www.motherearthnews.com/green-homes/an-effective-non-toxic-solution-for-getting-rid-of-yellow-jackets-nests.aspx#axzz3A0EC1dtC
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r24529038-Destroying-Underground-Yellow-Jacket-Nest
http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com/yellowjackets.htm
Call an exterminator?
oh gosh!!! you are brave!!! I was stung by ground hornets when i was young. My hand swelled up so big i couldn’t move my fingers. It swelled halfway up my arm and they had to give me steroids. Yeah, i know, i am not helping LOL! I have no ideas for you. Be safe though!!!