i just bought a house that has a bunch of yellow jacket or wasp
nests arrayed around under the eaves of the roof.

also, in the garage. actually, when i did a second or third
inspection on the garage & noticed the hives, it was sort
of like that moment in the movie Aliens when they notice
they're in an Alien hive. LOTS of hives. they didn't seem
to mind me, and i thought the best policy was to not disturb
them, for the time being.

the house is at 45 degrees Longitude (latitude ?), in Oregon.
during the winter there's usually a few weeks when the temperatures
get to -20 degrees F.

i was thinking this would be the best time to remove the
hives. actually, i can't understand how something that is
made partially of water can survive in temperatures like that,
but maybe wasps have some natural anti-freeze in their blood
and don't die in temperatures like that.

in any case, even if they were still alive, i thought that when
that first major cold spell hits is the best time to remove
the hives.

== Question #1
is this accurate ?

i also thought that they probably try to go somewhere slightly
warmer, like the attic. so i was thinking, sealing off the attic
is a good idea.

also, if i do have to deal with wasp or yellow jacket hives in
the attic, i was thinking turning off the heat and letting it
get below freezing (32 F) up there, if i can do it without
causing the pipes to burst (when the water in them freezes),
would be a good approach. reasoning that cold wasps or
less likely to attack someone removing their nest.

anyway, if any entomologists or homeowners that have dealt
with wasp & yellow-jacket infestations have any suggestions
on how to remove the bugs, i'd be interested to hear your
own wasp removal stories.

i would rather not use poisons at all.

also, if i can do it myself, without paying an exterminator,
i don't mind spending the time.

thanks much for any info.

"RogerB" writes:
i also thought that they probably try to go somewhere slightly
warmer, like the attic. so i was thinking, sealing off the attic
is a good idea.

Bad idea according to
http://www.terminix.com/information/...n g&pestID=66


i would rather not use poisons at all.

Oy.

also, if i can do it myself, without paying an exterminator,
i don't mind spending the time.

One thing to know, the pros being licensed get access to the really
good chemicals. :-)

My gut as a homeowner (and a fairly green friendly one at that) is
that unless you're willing to wait until winter to remove the hazard
to you and your family, you may have to give in a big on your
aversion to either poisons or professional assistance with the job.

Might be worth having a pest control service for at least a year to
take care of the issue. After that, maintainance is relatively easy.

Best Regards,
--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/

RogerB wrote:
i would rather not use poisons at all.

Just wait until winter then and physically remove them.

hello Roger,
in about one month all living workers will die, when the new queens have
mated - and only queens will survive winter time hidden at some
protected and dry place
in spring time every queen will start a new nest at random places

don't hesitate asking further advice when needed

cheers kauhl

On 7 Aug 2006 14:32:03 -0700, "WDS" wrote:


RogerB wrote:
i would rather not use poisons at all.

Just wait until winter then and physically remove them.

Aw, c'mon, they're wasps. Nuke em!

GWB wrote:
On 7 Aug 2006 14:32:03 -0700, "WDS" wrote:


RogerB wrote:
i would rather not use poisons at all.

Just wait until winter then and physically remove them.

Aw, c'mon, they're wasps. Nuke em!

You could. But strong nuclear point sources are dangerous, difficult
to handle, registered,k and sold only to terrorists.

I leave them alone outside the house. Inside is my territory.

Carburetor cleaner works well. But it's a poison too, I guess.
Spray paint them!!!

RogerB wrote:

I just bought a house that has a bunch of yellow jacket or wasp
nests arrayed around under the eaves of the roof.

Next time have a professional home inspection. The nests will be
listed and their removal by the seller can be made a condirion of
sale.

also, in the garage. actually, when i did a second or third
inspection on the garage & noticed the hives, it was sort
of like that moment in the movie Aliens when they notice
they're in an Alien hive. LOTS of hives. they didn't seem
to mind me, and i thought the best policy was to not disturb
them, for the time being.

The nests on your house should be removed NOW before they move
inside. You seem to have several nests. IMRHO one or two nests,
maybe even three or four if they are small, is a DYI project.
Several nests calls for a removal service which lowers your
personal risks and may identify why your property is attracting
these critters.

As for chemicals, the rule should be use only if necessary and
in minimal quantities - except in the case of fire ants where
there is no such thing as too much. I don't think wasps and
yellow jackets call for chemicals. Go out at midnight when the
temperature is below 50F (10C), and use a hose to spray the
nests off the building. Make sure you have enough water
pressure for a good stream - and stay about 10 yards away.

But again: with all the nests you appear to have, I'd have
a pro do it.

Dick

RogerB wrote:
i just bought a house that has a bunch of yellow jacket or wasp
nests arrayed around under the eaves of the roof.

also, in the garage. actually, when i did a second or third
inspection on the garage & noticed the hives, it was sort
of like that moment in the movie Aliens when they notice
they're in an Alien hive. LOTS of hives. they didn't seem
to mind me, and i thought the best policy was to not disturb
them, for the time being.

the house is at 45 degrees Longitude (latitude ?), in Oregon.
during the winter there's usually a few weeks when the temperatures
get to -20 degrees F.

i was thinking this would be the best time to remove the
hives. actually, i can't understand how something that is
made partially of water can survive in temperatures like that,
but maybe wasps have some natural anti-freeze in their blood
and don't die in temperatures like that.

in any case, even if they were still alive, i thought that when
that first major cold spell hits is the best time to remove
the hives.

== Question #1
is this accurate ?

i also thought that they probably try to go somewhere slightly
warmer, like the attic. so i was thinking, sealing off the attic
is a good idea.

also, if i do have to deal with wasp or yellow jacket hives in
the attic, i was thinking turning off the heat and letting it
get below freezing (32 F) up there, if i can do it without
causing the pipes to burst (when the water in them freezes),
would be a good approach. reasoning that cold wasps or
less likely to attack someone removing their nest.

anyway, if any entomologists or homeowners that have dealt
with wasp & yellow-jacket infestations have any suggestions
on how to remove the bugs, i'd be interested to hear your
own wasp removal stories.

i would rather not use poisons at all.

also, if i can do it myself, without paying an exterminator,
i don't mind spending the time.

thanks much for any info.

Hi there. If they are social insects such as Polistes paper wasps you
can live with them as long as you don't get too close to the nests
(which are OPEN on the bottom). If the nest is ENCLOSED in a paper
covering then they are Dolichovespula Bald FafFced hornets and you
must get rid of them quickly . They can be quite dangerous within 10
feet of the nest. You can soak the nest at night with the aid of a
flashlight and a can of wasp killer bought at the store. If the nests
are dried mud then they are made by solitary wasps (mud daubers) and
pose no danger to you unless you touch the adults. Hope this helps.
Don't panic and call in exterminators...they can be very expensive! The
cold weather will ultimately solve your problem, but be alert next
spring to new nests and destroy right away by simply brushing them off
when adults are not there. They will look elsewhere to construct
another nest

Thomas

RogerB wrote:
i just bought a house that has a bunch of yellow jacket or wasp
nests arrayed around under the eaves of the roof.

also, in the garage. actually, when i did a second or third
inspection on the garage & noticed the hives, it was sort
of like that moment in the movie Aliens when they notice
they're in an Alien hive. LOTS of hives. they didn't seem
to mind me, and i thought the best policy was to not disturb
them, for the time being.

the house is at 45 degrees Longitude (latitude ?), in Oregon.
during the winter there's usually a few weeks when the temperatures
get to -20 degrees F.

i was thinking this would be the best time to remove the
hives. actually, i can't understand how something that is
made partially of water can survive in temperatures like that,
but maybe wasps have some natural anti-freeze in their blood
and don't die in temperatures like that.

in any case, even if they were still alive, i thought that when
that first major cold spell hits is the best time to remove
the hives.

== Question #1
is this accurate ?

i also thought that they probably try to go somewhere slightly
warmer, like the attic. so i was thinking, sealing off the attic
is a good idea.

also, if i do have to deal with wasp or yellow jacket hives in
the attic, i was thinking turning off the heat and letting it
get below freezing (32 F) up there, if i can do it without
causing the pipes to burst (when the water in them freezes),
would be a good approach. reasoning that cold wasps or
less likely to attack someone removing their nest.

anyway, if any entomologists or homeowners that have dealt
with wasp & yellow-jacket infestations have any suggestions
on how to remove the bugs, i'd be interested to hear your
own wasp removal stories.

i would rather not use poisons at all.

also, if i can do it myself, without paying an exterminator,
i don't mind spending the time.

thanks much for any info.

Hi there. If they are social insects such as Polistes paper wasps you
can live with them as long as you don't get too close to the nests
(which are OPEN on the bottom). If the nest is ENCLOSED in a paper
covering then they are Dolichovespula Bald FafFced hornets and you
must get rid of them quickly . They can be quite dangerous within 10
feet of the nest. You can soak the nest at night with the aid of a
flashlight and a can of wasp killer bought at the store. If the nests
are dried mud then they are made by solitary wasps (mud daubers) and
pose no danger to you unless you touch the adults. Hope this helps.
Don't panic and call in exterminators...they can be very expensive! The
cold weather will ultimately solve your problem, but be alert next
spring to new nests and destroy right away by simply brushing them off
when adults are not there. They will look elsewhere to construct
another nest

Thomas