Yellow Jackets. . .BEWARE!!!!

[Okie Amazon]

Quote:
OW! OW! OW!



One natural thing you can do is put up as many wren houses as you can and try to lure them in. I had always liked wrens, but one year we had a baby crash land on our patio that wasn't quite ready to fly. I put it in a small cage on the covered patio and left it out where mom and dad could continue to feed it. Every evening when I went bring him in, the cage floor would be littered with wasp/hornet butts! I don't know if he bit the stingers off, or if the parents did before giving it to him, but they killed a BUNCH. Yellowjackets, red wasps, black wasps - all kinds, there would be hundreds of butts in there every evening. I have REALLY liked wrens since then!

 

[Pele]

I did a little research, and found a very helpful link that might be of use:

http://www.santarosa.edu/lifesciences2/control.htm

I'm sorry you're having to deal with such a massive annoyance! They're taking all the joy out of your backyard! Hopefully with all the work you're doing this season, the population will be greatly reduced next season.

And with all due respect, you have a very good narration style that made your story really fun to follow. I was really worried about you while you described being on fire (yikes!), but I was in stitches laughing at your wry description of missing an eyebrow.

Good luck fighting the good fight!

 

[txreddirtgirl]

I have to agree with Pele............while the situation was not funny, downright dangerous, the manner in which you told your story had me laughing out loud. My husband came over to see what I was giggling like a schoolgirl about

 

[thekid]

Quote:
Dont kill the bumblebees and honey bees! They are more scared of you than you are of them. Wasps and hornets ehh not so much. The bumblebees and honey bees are becoming extinct. Well on the endangered list.

 

[turbodog]

Quote:
I've found the foam type wasp spray to be very effective with yellowjacket nests too. Better than the usual spray. I go ahead and use it in daylight since the foam keeps em from really swarming out.

 

[darkmatter]

Years ago I had problems with ground nesting Yellow Jackets. An old-time method was to fill a crock jug half full of water and set it near the nest, returning wasps would instinctually enter the jug hole and drown. The colony would die over several days.
When I got stung while using the riding mower, I couldn't wait the several days due to anger-----I lashed down the safety bar of my push mower and parked it running over the nest!
Since getting Guineas to blend with the Chickens a few years ago that fly out of the Chicken run and roam the property foraging---I haven’t had bug problems with ticks, grasshoppers or yellow jackets.

 

[woodmort]

If you're looking for a natural solution, encourage skunks in your yard--they will dig the nest out. Apparently they do it at night and can withstand the stings. Of course the skunks may take a few eggs or chickens for dessert.

 

[hannakat]

I also agree with Pele....I felt your determination, fear and pain! Chicken mama's are tough women and try hard to get the job done!

You'll win!

 

[zookeeper15133]

I had yellow jackets in a raised bed in my garden a few years ago. I tried the bag traps, they got some. I went out at night and put a handful or 2 of Seven dust in the hole. Never saw them again!

 

[zengrrl]

I thought we were having a time with yellowjackets this year. Wow - your story def has mine beat. Glad to hear you're ok!