LARGE hornets nest-HELP!!!!PICS ADDED

[pips&peeps]

I think that one may require a specialist.

I found a big yellow jacket nest in one of my coop windows after only being gone on vacation for 4 days. Since I didn't want to use spray either, my husband got a blow torch and burned the beestards! <-- "that's funny, I don't care who you are"

Obviously in your case using flame could ignite a serious situation.

 

[KathyR]

I don't know how we didn't spot it sooner but it is in the part of the yard we really don't go to often.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

If you're sure it's hornet or wasp and not yellow yacket, the mint oil really does kill them, natural and safe for chickens, smells lovely actually.... natures neuotoxin is what we've used a few times to successfully get rid of HORNET nests, they love to start them under our large eves... That being said, if there is any chance it is yellow jacket... Different WORLD. I just ended another thread where someone thinks a yellow jacket killed her chicken.... That venom is SO SCAREY. I had a super violent reaction to 1 sting even though I've never been allergic. EMT's came out of the chicken forum woodwork to caution me about getting stung again, it truly can kill you. BE CAREFUL if you think it is yellow jacket, NUKE them however you can! I am all about zero chemicals, but we used the harshest stuff we could find on the yellow jacket nest - very close to our chickens unfortunately, when the mint oil did not work on them. Chickens are fine, yellows are dead! Good luck!

 

[fordmommy]

I still say exterminator.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Are the bald face hornets? If they are call an exterminator... not worth getting stung 50 times as they are relentless...

Any other bee should be easy to kill with a good 20 ft spray... however I would have like 3 people shooting 3 different cans at the nest.... do it at night with a spotlight while they are all in.

Clean up really well with just water after you spray them and dispose of the nest and the bees so the chickens don't eat them.


Easy to do by yourself... but again if they are bald face (black with white head) stay away from them and call an expert.

Good luck...

 

[wildorchid053]

wow that thing is HUGE. is it bothering anyone? i would leave it till cold weather comes and they die

 

[KathyR]

I am not really sure what they are and won't get close enough to find out. They aren't bothering anyone, didn't even know they were there until I was mowing the grass back there. I am surprised I haven't seen any in the shed, since the window is right there. I really can't afford to call an exterminator, out of work right now.

 

[KathyR]

My nieghbor just informed me that she has had trouble with yellow jacket nests. Her description of the nest sounds just like the one we have. She is going to take a look at it later.

 

[SurprisingWoman]

Wow, that is beautiful. Let us know what you decide.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Just leave it alone until winter... than remove it... I would keep it though. Such a cool nest to destroy it.

If it's not bothering anyone than let them do their thing, they eat flies and many other crazy insects. But if they are Bald-Faced Hornets... stay clear. They will sting you even if you are just walking by... I give them credit for being such good protectors of their nest.

Either way good luck to you...

ETA: I think they are BFHornets as you can see to the right of the opening a "guard" making sure no one gets too close... It's black which I would guess BFHornet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bald-faced_hornet