Need to get rid of yellowjackets

[lakelover]

OK, here we go with another one for the "Non-Boating Technical Topics" experts.

I have a nest of yellowjackets in a small firewood storage box, open only to the front. They seem to all go in & out on the lower right, but I don't know for sure exactly where the nest is. I have a nest I need to get rid of about every year on the property, usually in the ground. The way I handle those is to use a small can fastened to a board that's about 12' long, fill it with gas, light it and pour it down the hole. Problem solved. But obviously I can't do that in a wood pile!

I need to get rid of them because they are near my shed and I have to paint it this fall.

I was wondering if it would be effective to back my car up to it and run the engine and see if the fumes & carbon monoxide would kill them. They seem to be concentrated right at the height of the tailpipe.

Any ideas?

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Need to get rid of yellowjackets

After night fall, go ahead and pour the gas,just don't light it. The fumes alone should be enough to kill the little buggers.

Plan B: Again wait till after night fall and spray the opening liberally with wasp/hornet killer.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Need to get rid of yellowjackets

Sounds crazy but a shop vac will get 'em. Lay the vacuum wand as close to the nest as you dare...turn it on a wait awhile. Those little buggers will be attracted to it and get sucked up one be one! Follow up with a little gas to get the queen.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Need to get rid of yellowjackets

Never thought about the unlit gas, and read somewhere else about the vacuum method. What to do with them once they're in the vacuum? Spray non-stream hornet killer into the hose? I think there are a LOT of them. Also wondered about spraying the area with wasp/hornet killer. I presume you mean the kind that sprays a 20' stream?

Any thoughts on the exhaust idea?

 

[aspeck]

Re: Need to get rid of yellowjackets

I think the exhaust would be too diluted, but that is just an opinion. I would go with the wasp/hornet spray heavily where they are going in and out. Do it at night when they are all in the nest and do it from up close and personal. You will get them all and be safe.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Need to get rid of yellowjackets

read somewhere else about the vacuum method. What to do with them once they're in the vacuum? Spray non-stream hornet killer into the hose?

DO not spray any flammable liquid into a vacuum cleaner! Use a small amount of Sevin dust or put some tape over the hose wand...they will die in time.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Need to get rid of yellowjackets

Being a old trucker, I always used a can of ether on them it kills them instantly.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Need to get rid of yellowjackets

Lots of good ideas, thanks.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Need to get rid of yellowjackets

I was wondering if it would be effective to back my car up to it and run the engine and see if the fumes & carbon monoxide would kill them. They seem to be concentrated right at the height of the tailpipe.

It's the safest too since it's non-flammable, Just make sure the back of the wood pile isn't backed up to the house/building where anyone will be or you might "gas" them too!!

Yes but get yourself a piece of plywood/OSB or a big tarp and cover the opening of the wood pile completely.

Then run your exhaust pipe (using a hose) into a small hole in the plywood cover. Just let the car idle for an hour or so.

If you can find the actual nest, use regular (Raid etc) Wasp and Hornet Killer. WHen I find a nest around my house, the ShopVac works great after I use the bug-spray.

Cheers,


Rick

 

[lakelover]

Re: Need to get rid of yellowjackets

Been doing a little research, and have determined that this method will be ineffective:

 

[Wind dog]

Re: Need to get rid of yellowjackets

My understanding is don't light the gas, the gas disolves the lill guys.

 

[beezee28]

Re: Need to get rid of yellowjackets

I use a can of 'Raid' that i bought from wally world and that seems to be the best solution. Just spray it liberally at all the space and eventually they will all die. Used it on wasp and hornet too that tried to build their nest at our house.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Need to get rid of yellowjackets

Unless you drive an old clunker, you are more likely to kill the yellow jackets with the CO2 your car produces then the CO. Cars of today in proper tune expel little-to no CO.

I would try the unlit gas method my self. By the time you would need to burn the wood, any gas vapors would long since be gone. I would how ever be concerned about the potential residue left behind by any kind of insecticide.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Need to get rid of yellowjackets

After night fall, go ahead and pour the gas,just don't light it. The fumes alone should be enough to kill the little buggers.

Plan B: Again wait till after night fall and spray the opening liberally with wasp/hornet killer.

Ayuh,.... I've been employin' Plan B, several times this summer, includin' last night....

Yellowjackets were nestin' through a crack in a window trim corner, in the siding, Under the siding...

I dumped a 1/2 used can of hornet spray into it a few weeks ago, hangin' outa the adjacent window,..
could only shoot, In, in only 1 direction,....

They were livin' in the Other direction....

Last night, I put up a ladder, 'n just 'bout 0:dark:30, I crawled up there 'n dumped in a Whole new can of wasp spray,...
Both directions, 'n up, 'n down too...

Ain't gone out tonight, have to wait til the weekend to see if I got 'em...

 

[mommicked]

Re: Need to get rid of yellowjackets

I had a big nest out back a few years ago and shot it w Hornet spray good one afternoon and than covered it w an inverted, large plastic storage container. Trouble was a bunch were out foraging and were'nt happy to return home and find my fix. They were swarming all around and landing on the container so I got my 30", rolling industrial fan and carefully placed it right beside the container faceing away from it. Turned on high, the fan sucked them out of the air and spit them out, making noises as they crashed against the side of the fan and the blades and they shot out the front in pieces. After a few hours they were all gone and their bodies were spread out on the ground, all infront of the fan. I would have waited until dark to spray, but they had already stung my dog and I had to take care of them quick.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Need to get rid of yellowjackets

LMAO, mommicked! I can just about picture it. Thought I'd get to HD today, but didn't so tomorrow I'm going to pick up both some spray and some of the powdered stuff. I'm somewhat allergic to their stings, so I have to get rid of them pronto. I got stung last year when I mowed over a nest and after the initial usual miserable reaction, the area itched for about 3-4 months. At least I'm lucky enough that it doesn't affect my breathing, but I swell up at the sting site and related lymph nodes, feel sick & dizzy etc.

Thanks for all the stories & ideas, I WILL prevail!!! What with all these solutions.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Need to get rid of yellowjackets

I'm somewhat allergic to their stings, so I have to get rid of them pronto. I got stung last year when I mowed over a nest and after the initial usual miserable reaction, the area itched for about 3-4 months. At least I'm lucky enough that it doesn't affect my breathing, but I swell up at the sting site and realted lymph nodes, feel sick & dizzy etc.
.

I have arthritis and yellow jacket stings give me temporary relief (after the sting pain goes away).

 

[lakelover]

Re: Need to get rid of yellowjackets

I have arthritis and yellow jacket stings give me temporary relief (after the sting pain goes away).

That's a good thing, I've read about that.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Need to get rid of yellowjackets

I had to zap an underground nest last week. Used a liberal spray of "Killer", then soaked an old rag in gas, stuffed it into the hole and placed a small board and brick over it. Of course I did this at night, and it seemed to have worked pretty well.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Need to get rid of yellowjackets

Had em in my siding. Used 4 cans of wasp and hornet spray right at the hole. Once during the day and three times at night. Didn't work. Called the bug guy. $90 later all were gone. He used some kind of powder puffed into the hole. Best $90 I ever spent.