Any way of getting rid of wasps without having to kill them? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

NSFL · 07-05-2008, 10:34 PM

We have this massive nest of wasps on our deck. Originally, we were going to let them be, but it's become a bit of a problem as they kinda chase me when I go out to dump the compost. So I was wondering if there's a way to get rid of them or move them that's safe for us and them. I'm a bit of a bleeding heart, so I really don't want to have to kill them. Any advice would be welcome.

redforever · 07-05-2008, 10:52 PM

You will not be a happy camper if you try to move a wasp's nest, unless it is the mid of winter

((

U don't have to kill them, just get rid of the nest. They will try to rebuild in the same spot, so once you knock down the nest, you are going to have to spray that same spot regularily with raid or something to prevent that.

Anyhow, don't even try to do that in the middle of the day at this time of year. Heat activates them so during the day, they are very active and any hint of danger to their nest, they will dive bomb you en masse and you will be sorer for the effort.

Wait for a cooler night. Put on heavy jackets or parkas, good gloves, boots, bellaclava, hat, in other words, cover every square inch of your body with protection.

Get a big bag, and then with a shovel or something, try to dump the nest in the bag and tie it shut before they have a chance to get out and at you. Then dispose of the nest however you see fit, but don't dispose of it so that it becomes someone else's problem.

Azure · 07-05-2008, 10:53 PM

Put it in a box and send it to Locke.

NSFL · 07-05-2008, 10:54 PM

Damn, sounds dangerous.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure

Put it in a box and send it to Locke.

Will take that into consideration.

AvsJerk · 07-05-2008, 10:57 PM

Get a handful of rocks and throw them at their nest. Rather than rebuild their nest they will probably just move away peacefully.

SteveToms · 07-05-2008, 10:57 PM

I like the idea of fire

First Lady · 07-05-2008, 10:59 PM

First ask yourself.... what useful purpose do wasps serve? When you discover the answer is "none".

Find a small amount of gasoline and a long, long, match.

NSFL · 07-05-2008, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by First Lady

First ask yourself.... what useful purpose do wasps serve? When you discover the answer is "none".

Find a small amount of gasoline and a long, long, match.

Well, they've built their nest on the underside of my patio table...I would prefer not to have scorch marks on it.

Quote:

Get a big bag, and then with a shovel or something, try to dump the nest in the bag and tie it shut before they have a chance to get out and at you. Then dispose of the nest however you see fit, but don't dispose of it so that it becomes someone else's problem.

I'd still rather not kill them though. And the idea of dumping the nest while they're in it still sounds kinda like killing them.

Eastern Girl · 07-05-2008, 11:05 PM

I did a quick google search and found a posting that said that wasps don't like the smell of cloves so if you boil some water and add cloves and put that near the nest, it will drive them away. Now, I have no idea if this is true or if it will work. As I said, it was found on a random messageboard on the interweb, and we all know posters on messageboards shouldn't be trusted...

First Lady · 07-05-2008, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NSFL

Well, they've built their nest on the underside of my patio table...I would prefer not to have scorch marks on it.

I'd still rather not kill them though. And the idea of dumping the nest while they're in it still sounds kinda like killing them.

Destroying their home will only piss them off; it might kill the eggs. There is no way to safely relocate them.

....plan on spending your summer inside....if you want them to live.

NSFL · 07-05-2008, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eastern Girl

I did a quick google search and found a posting that said that wasps don't like the smell of cloves so if you boil some water and add cloves and put that near the nest, it will drive them away. Now, I have no idea if this is true or if it will work. As I said, it was found on a random messageboard on the interweb, and we all know posters on messageboards shouldn't be trusted...

Hmm, will definitely try that. Thanks EG. Will update...If I'm never heard from again, I'll have been stung to death...is that even possible?

Quote:

Originally Posted by First Lady

Destroying their home will only piss them off; it might kill the eggs. There is no way to safely relocate them.

....plan on spending your summer inside....if you want them to live.

*Sigh* I was hoping it wouldn't have to come to that.

07-05-2008, 11:20 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym4mqnfxAY8

warning: kid says the "b" word...

NSFL · 07-05-2008, 11:25 PM

Watching something like that just makes me sad.

07-05-2008, 11:46 PM

I'm sorry for that link. The only reason Iposted that one is because I couldn't find the one where: when trying to torch the nest the guy sets himself on fire...

NSFL · 07-05-2008, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puxlut

I'm sorry for that link. The only reason Iposted that one is because I couldn't find the one where: when trying to torch the nest the guy sets himself on fire...

Lol, I'd love to see an idiot get his due for trying to torch bees.

Tyler · 07-06-2008, 12:05 AM

My uncle has this plastic-made artificial wasps nest that I think he got at Canadian Tire.

Its bigger than a traditional wasps nest, and you're supposed to hang it in the vicinity of the active nest. Eventually the real wasps leave because the fake one is too dominant and imposing on them (they can't tell that its fake either).

redforever · 07-06-2008, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler

My uncle has this plastic-made artificial wasps nest that I think he got at Canadian Tire.

Its bigger than a traditional wasps nest, and you're supposed to hang it in the vicinity of the active nest. Eventually the real wasps leave because the fake one is too dominant and imposing on them (they can't tell that its fake either).

those dont really work when there is a dominant nest already made. The idea with the fake ones is to hang them before other wasps get the idea to move in.

blackcherry · 07-06-2008, 12:20 AM

My parents were having problems with wasps building nests under their deck, so one year my dad read that putting up a paper bag filled with air to resemble a wasps nest would keep real wasps away. I'm not sure if he put it up before any wasps built their nests last year or if it drove them away, but they had no problems with wasps last summer or this summer. Pretty much the same idea as the fake nests from Canadian Tire.

NSFL · 07-06-2008, 12:23 AM

The problem with this thing is that it's big. Like, think the size of a paperback novel big.

redforever · 07-06-2008, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NSFL

The problem with this thing is that it's big. Like, think the size of a paperback novel big.

That is not very big for a wasp's nest. They get the size of icecream pails usually. When that size, they will already have eggs in them.