Wasp nests in the chicken run

[U_Stormcrow]

I agree with the use of Permethrin, I use it 2 ways, 1 in a 32 oz spray bottle so I can stream it for pests like this and in a hand held for bigger jobs. Whatever way you do it, prepare to run, they will bomb you like a fighter pilot, despise those things! Good luck.

my pump up sprayer is full of 15% bleach solution ATM - happy its not needed for bug control

 

[SchwartzLakeFarmNC]

my pump up sprayer is full of 15% bleach solution ATM - happy its not needed for bug control

I have so many pump sprayers around for different jobs, I got tired of cleaning one out for something else, so now I have them for routine pest control, ones for major pest like wasps and stinging things, and so many others ones depending on what I need it for, but it works well for me for anything I need.

 

[Perris]

View attachment 3591562
I found two of these inside the chicken run.

If they were outside, I'd spray them with Raid wasp/hornet killer. (And then skedaddle.) The bugs fall to the ground, twitch, and die. Sorry bugs, my house/shed/greenhouse, my rules. You're not welcome. You've stung me before.

I don't want the chickens to eat the wasps, and I doubt the spray that falls to the ground should be on their menu. Someone mentioned spraying the nest with a mixture of Dawn dish soap/water, a teaspoon soap to a cup of water. Would that be safe for chickens to eat, if they chose to?

Does anyone have other ideas on how to get rid of them in a chicken-safe manner? I'm going to tag a bunch of people for input. I can't be the only person with this problem. Thank you!

@aart @DobieLover @U_Stormcrow @sourland @Shadrach @3KillerBs @Perris

sorry I can't help; I guess the smooth interior surfaces of the plastic coops I use (Green Frog aka Nestera) don't offer any anchor points for wasps to fix to, and I don't have a run, so I have no experience of this problem.

 

[Sally PB]

Success, I think. 10% permethrin is on my list of wasp sprays now. Thanks, @U_Stormcrow! Certainly less expensive than Raid.

Bee jacket is hanging out in the mudroom, in case I got any spray on it. We're opening the bee hive on Sunday to add a honey super.

 

[Sally PB]

@U_Stormcrow, how did you use permethrin to get rid of ticks?

(I started the thread, so I can go tangentially off topic, right?)

 

[U_Stormcrow]

@U_Stormcrow, how did you use permethrin to get rid of ticks?

(I started the thread, so I can go tangentially off topic, right?)

Your thread, do as you will!

Like this

When I used to backpack all the time, you could buy a packet of the stuff to throw in a load of wash and treat your "outdoor clothes" all at once. Most people did socks, two pairs of jeans, jacket, safety vest in one load. Didn't treat undergarments. Was usually good for a season. Sawyer made it, I think. Now they just have the hand pump spray. Not sure why the other stuff was taken off the market, except of course that if your laundry's waste water flowed into a water source that cats drank from, or fish lived in, there would be fewer cats and fishes... Probably good, in retrospect, that they took it off the market.

 

[Sally PB]

When I used to backpack all the time

Where've you gone? Ever hiked in Michigan?

Hubby and I used to backpack. He still might, on occasion. I can't put 40 lbs on my back and hike anymore. And I can't sleep on the ground anymore, either.

Our honeymoon was a week long trip to Isle Royale. Our 21st (?) anniversary was a 2 week trip.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

I had them in my duck house last year and I made this video about what I did ....

That's pure genius!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

No further north than Tennessee. Have done the entire FL Trail (not at once, some stretches multiple times), parts of the southern Appalachian Trail, maybe 200 miles worth +/-

 

[DukesDucks]

When I have had wasp nests I deal with them at night. That way they should all be home. I put a flash light shining on the nest but away from me. That way if any come out they will head toward the light not me.