Yellow Jackets

[RSK8888]

Yesterday I found what seems to be a large and active yellow jacket nest in the ground a short distance from the coop. The fencing prevents that chickens from getting right up to it, and we are working today to get rid of it (hopefully!), but I'm wondering how concerned I need to be. Do yellow jackets tend to bother chickens?

 

[Eggstatic ChickyDoo]

Anything that disturbs the nest will be a target for the yellow jackets. Other than that, I haven't seen any issues, but maybe someone with more experience will chime in. One of my hens eats them when she gets the chance.

 

[RSK8888]

Anything that disturbs the nest will be a target for the yellow jackets. Other than that, I haven't seen any issues, but maybe someone with more experience will chime in. One of my hens eats them when she gets the chance.

Thanks! Where it is located, I think we are more likely to disturb it than the chickens. Wasn't sure if they might be accidental targets just being out and about. I have to go to work so its my husband's "treat" today to deal with the nest (or find a professional). Frankly, Id be happy to pay someone. Judging by the activity at the hole, it looks BIG.

 

[DobieLover]

Thanks! Where it is located, I think we are more likely to disturb it than the chickens. Wasn't sure if they might be accidental targets just being out and about. I have to go to work so its my husband's "treat" today to deal with the nest (or find a professional). Frankly, Id be happy to pay someone. Judging by the activity at the hole, it looks BIG.

If you end up doing the deed yourselves, I would do it well after dark, preferably on a cool night. Wear a head lamp and bring twice as much hornet killer as you think you'll need and absolutely soak the nest.

 

[LaFleche]

https://abcwildlife.com/blog/yellow...st with over-the-counter insecticide... More

 

[CluckerFamily]

I would also take care of it after the flock has gone to bed so that you can shut the coop.

 

[Krugerrand]

I hate yellow jackets.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Last year I had a yellow jacket nest under a stump. I would do my morning and dusk chore of killing Japanese Beetles with a bucket of soap water. When I was done with the Japanese Beetles, I would dump the bucket on the yellow jacket nest. Three days later, the nest was completely dead. But this wasn’t anywhere near my coop.

 

[B-Goock]

I've gotten rid of them by pouring something flammable in the hole at dark and carefully light it. Lighter fluid. Diesel. Kerosene. Once while fishing in WV was hanging out with a local and they had issues with them. We used some of the uhm clear Mason jar beverage that he had to burn them up.