yellow jackets

Doc · #1 08/14/08, 03:49 PM

Yellow jackets have made a nest in the shed where I have the riding mower. I sprayed the dickens out of them night before last with Raid Wasp & Hornet stuff, and 24 hrs later, they are flying in and out like nothing happened.

Thing is, I have to back my mower over this nest -- can I do that safely in the dark? Could I put a board or something over the opening first? I've been stung twice and can't afford it again. I'm very allergic.

But, I need the mower!!

ksfarmer · #2 08/14/08, 04:26 PM

Get a can of starting fluid or ether. Spray on or into the nest. They don't walk away (or fly) from a touch of this. The fumes will dissipate in a few hours.

Bear · #3 08/14/08, 05:18 PM

Wait till it's dark out , late at night or early in the morning, than spray the starting fluid , ether, or raid right into the hole, empty half a can on the buggers. Or it sounds like this nest is in the floor, dump gasoline on the nest and in the hole, that'll definitely fix em.

fishhead · #4 08/14/08, 05:31 PM

I wouldn't put anything flammable on the nest if you intend on starting an engine in the shed. The bees could be the least of your worries as you fly across the yard.

Take a bucket. Fill it to 3-4" from the top with water. Add a few drops of dish soap. Hang a piece of bacon or other meat on the lip of the pail. The yellow jackets eat the meat and when they go to load up on water the dish soap has broken the surface tension and they fall in and drown. It really does work.

Then I would attach a rope to the mower and pull it out after dark.

Doc · #5 08/14/08, 06:06 PM

Can't use flammables -- the nest is under a log right at the back of the mower. The mower shield would go right over it as I backed out the mower.

Raid doesn't work!! Gas (or any other liquid like that) is out of the question.

The question is: can I move the mower at night, or will they come out because they will be disturbed?

crafty2002 · #6 08/14/08, 06:12 PM

I, along with several other people on here has said from experince, Gasoline is the best theing to kill any lind of bee with. Wait until after dark and they have all went back into the nest for the night and pour a cup of gas right in the hole and then just take your hill and push the top of the hole in.
It kills them on contact.
There is nothing cheaper nor more effective than this. But kinda like fishhead said, I wouldn't start the mower right away.
I always light mine when I kill them like this but you don't have too, the gas by itself will kill them, but the last time I killed a nest, (maybe a month ago), the fire burned for probably 20 minutes but I was using chainsaw gas with oil mixed. I think that is why it lasted so long.
But I would wait 30 minutes or so until the fumes have died down good.
Dennis

ETA: I just finished and posted after you did. What has the log have to do with it?? Just get ready and kick the log over and pour. As soon as the gas starts into the hole, NOTHING IS COMING OUT

PyroDon · #7 08/14/08, 07:30 PM

You may think Im nuts but the very best bee/wasp spray you can use when they are flying around trying to sting you is 3M spray adhesive.
they fly through a mist of this and fall right out of the air . It sticks their wings to their bodies and once they hit the ground you can step on them to finish the job. Its works instantly

watcher · #8 08/14/08, 08:14 PM

Sorta flammable but a can on WD40 with the straw on it will take them out.

naturewoman · #9 08/14/08, 08:29 PM

If you spray wasp killer right down into the hole (at night, after you move the log), then cover it with something they cannot get out from under, it should kill them all. Leave it on there for a day to be sure. Yes, you should be able to push the mower out at night without disturbing them, once they are quiet. I wouldn't start it in there till you know they are gone. You could just bury them with dirt after spraying with the wasp killer.

I like the idea of the spray adhesive...sounds interesting. But that won't stop them from coming out, and some may not get hit and they may get you. I think the wasp and hornet spray is your best bet.

When you sprayed them the first time, did you do it at night? Did you try to move the log?

BaronsMom · #10 08/14/08, 09:03 PM

be sure to RUN FAST...

won't matter what time of day you do it, yellow jackets post guards at the opening of their nest, they release an alarm trigger to upset the rest of the colony when threatened - you're gonna get it if you try to back over them.

And the wasp and hornet sprays? They are contact sprays - no residuals. So once they hit the bug and the air, they are done...

Insecticide dusts like Sevin can be used - active ingredient carbaryl.

Approach them carefully at night and dust the entrance of the nest.

Trick - use a flashlight with a little red cellophane over the end - they can't see red light.

http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/bees.shtml

There is a good video on yellow jackets on the site from Backyard Farmer on dealing with yellow jackets even talks about vibration from mowers.

Old Vet · #11 08/14/08, 09:55 PM

Is the flour of the shed dirt or wood? If it is dirt use a robe and pull the mower out at night and wait until morning to start it. If the floor is wood pull the mower out at night and wait until morning to start it. If the flour is dirt you can uncover the opening and put something over the nest and put out seven dust around what ever it is that you covered the nest with. Do not use gasoline unless you don't light it and just let it soak in.