The following video shows how to use our 30 FOOT EXTENSION POLE fitted with a GOTCHA AEROSOL HOLDER. When used together, this combination will allow you to reach bee and wasp nests well over 30 feet high from the ground. Our standard WASP AEROSOL POLE can only reach about 20 feet up so if you have a really high nest to treat, the following equipment may be better suited for you need.
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Cicada killers are ground nesting wasps that hunt cicada's. Most active in mid to late summer, cicada killers are large and strong enough to harvest cicada's where active. The picture below shows a cicada killer in the act of stinging it's victim. The venom received by the cicada will cause it to die in a few minutes and once subdued, the cicada killer wasp will bring it home to it's nest where it will become food for the next cycle of cicada killers.
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We commonly get asked "How do I treat a hornet nest"? These nests commonly appear on trees and homes and when they're close to where people are active, they definitely pose a hazard. Though our WASP CONTROL ARTICLE explains in great detail how to dust and remove these nests, it's tough to beat a visual presentation.
The following is a complete "how to treat a hornet nest" video which will show in great detail what the nest looks like from the outside as well as the inside. And it will show these perspectives both before and after being treated. I say before because we were lucky to find a nest being constructed on a window which allowed us to get some great footage of what really happens deep inside the colony when viewed from inside the house. This unique view allows us to see workers, eggs, larvae and pupae as they exist in any common hornet nest.
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I see several cicada killer wasps in my yard. I guess their nests are the large tunnels they keep going into that are in one section by the edge of my property. I have a garden there and they seem to like this area. Do you think they are eating something I'm growing or do they actually eat cicadas? And what can I do to get rid of them? I didn't do anything last year and now they're alot worse. I see alot more nests this year.
Cicada Killer Wasps will usually start out innocently enough with a single nest that will usually become several in a year or two. This is due to many reasons as explained in our CICADA KILLER CONTROL ARTICLE. If you have a good population of CICADA'S around, they will likely prosper so expect to be seeing them every year until you take care of the infestation. In fact, here is a short video of one actively stinging a cicada getting ready to drag it down to it's lair…
To treat the problem, it would be best to hit them with the CYPERMETHRIN we have listed in our Cicada Killer Control article. This will usually take care of them quickly and effectively.
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Have you ever heard of wasps eating eucalyptus wood? I have an outdoor set and the wasps just seem to love it.
I read a article that says if I mix together menthol eucalypus and citronella oils and paint it on the wood, they should
stop. What do you think and do you have any suggestions. Thank You
It is quite common for many species of wasps to chew on wood. Referred to as "girdling", this is one of the more common ways they gather raw material used to make nests. As you know, wood is used to make paper and is referred to as cellulose. It just so happens that cellulose makes great wasps nests and many species including the common paper, european hornet, yellow jackets and potter wasps all girdle wood for their nests.
Since the wasps you are seeing seem to be unfazed by the fact they are chewing on a eucalypus tree, it's not likely that spraying it with eucalypus will have any effect. In fact, it may actually attract more. The addition of citronella to the spray won't help either. Since the tree appears to be "vital" to them (it's being used for their nest) the girdling of these wasps will continue unless you use something really strong. Citronella by itself may repel some but not when used on a food or nest source.
One product we know will work on them is the CYPERMETHRIN featured in our WASP CONTROL article. Wasps hate this stuff and will stay off treated surfaces for 2-3 weeks per treatment. If you prefer something organic to spray, the GARDEN DEFENSE WITH NEEM is a good choice. It won't last but 5-7 days per treatment but it too will repel them. The Neem Spray is featured on our NON TOXIC PEST CONTROL site and is labeled for use on organic gardens so it's very safe to use. Lastly, if you prefer not to spray at all, the WASP REPELLENT NEST can be set out on the tree and may keep them away too. It does nothing but act as a visual repellent relying on wasps instinctive behavior to avoid where other wasps have made a nest. When they see it hanging, they keep flying and stay away. These could be placed on any tree which is being attacked and should scare off the damaging wasps.
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I wanted to thank-you for your information on the internet regarding mud daubers. I installed a window air conditioning unit and did not cover the exterior area on either side of it allowing exposure to the area between the interior and exterior windows. The interior side in completely sealed. I noticed a nest about 2 weeks ago at the very top of the inside window area and identified it as a mud dauber nest, the insects are yellow and black. Since then 2 more tubes about 2 inches long each have been added and of the 3, 2 have been closed the 3rd remains open. I was going to try and knock them down but it meant removing my AC unit to get to them so I have since sealed up the outside so they cannot get in and continue building more nests. I realize that the 2 sealed nests will probably hatch sooner than later and whatever is inside will have no place to go as the area is now sealed. Is it better to just leave them now and after the nests hatch the new insects will die in this sealed area, then when I remove my AC unit in the fall I can get rid of anything that remains or is there any danger in not completely removing the 3 nests now?
It's never a good idea to lock any wasp or bee in close proximity to a household like you've described. Hatching young mud daubers will have no place to go and they could end up inside the structure. I have no idea if there are children, pets or elderly people around but when wasps or bees are forced inside homes or other structures, they most certainly pose a hazard to the occupants. I advise this nest and any others on the home to be removed.
After the nests are scraped off the home, it is strongly advised that you spray with some CYPERMETHRIN to insure new nests won't be built in the same area. As our WASP CONTROL ARTICLE explains, the scent of wasp nests, wasp pheromones, wasp food and just plain wasp activity will lure more to the area so the current situation will only get worse and worse till its properly treated. If you are reluctant to spray the Cypermethrin, consider one of our organic options listed on our NON TOXIC PEST CONTROL site. Organic products are very safe to use and they don't last long once applied. However, they will be able to hold off new activity for a week or two. One of the better organic options is our MULTI PURPOSE INSECT KILLER.
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Can you recommend some products for controlling wasps around an inground swimming pool? I have an 11 month old baby, so I need it to be safe for children. However, we are being invaded by wasps— to the point that we cannot even enjoy the pool without swimming with a fly swater. (We've killed over 30 wasps in one trip to the pool.) So you can see that we are serious about controling these. Any suggestions would be great.
Wasps are commonly attracted to water. Bird baths, lawns which are heavily irrigated and swimming pools are common places they will be seen during the warm summer months since they need water all the time. There are several products that can be applied around the home which can help to minimize this activity but since wasps fly, stopping all activity in your "air" is near to impossible.
That being said, I recommend you first read through our WASP CONTROL ARTICLE. There will you learn about various wasp treatments that can be done on the property to help keep them away. Since you have an 11 month old active in the area that will be treated, a good alternative option would be the ORGANIC MOSQUITO AND TICK SPRAY. This ready to spray concentrate can be applied safely to lawns and plants where people and pets will be active. Though it doesn't say wasps on the label, it will definitely kill and repel them and can therefore offer relief from some of the excessive activity it sounds like you're experiencing.
Additionally, you should install 1-2 of our WASP REPELLENT NESTS. These fake nests look like the real thing and when other wasps see them, they stay away.
If it turns out you have another species of wasp hanging around, refer to some of our other wasp articles. Treatments can vary depending on the species so we have separate information for YELLOWJACKETS, CICADA KILLERS, DIGGER WASPS, EUROPEAN HORNETS just to name a few.
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Wasps seem to be nesting in the ivy growing on the exterior of my home—what would you suggest I use to treat? I also have a wood deck 12" to 18"off ground in rear of home overlooking a swimming pool which seems to be favorite place for wasps.
Wasp in ivy are easy to control. Just treat it with some of the CYPERMETHRIN we have featured in our WASP CONTROL article. This will both kill any nesting there as well as repel new ones from the area.
Open areas are a bit harder to protect. The deck can be treated with the Cypermethrin which should keep them away. But the pool cannot be sprayed. If they are coming around or into the water for gathering water, we recommend setting up one of the WASP REPELLING NESTS to keep them away.
Good morning -
I have been reading several articles about ground wasps. I was surprised to read an article about the killer cicada wasps in the northeast. I guess I didn't realize we had cicadas up here. That led me to believe that cicada wasps may not be what I have.
Thank you for your solution regarding ground wasps. I have been seeing several holes in my lawn and I thought perhaps skunks were digging for grubs, etc. However, when mowing the lawn yesterday I saw a small wasp's nest in the ground in one of the holes. It amazed me because it looks like the hives you find in higher elevations like in the eaves of my house! The hive was totally exposed to the elements. Do you think this is the same type of wasp you are talking about in your article? Do you think the wasps are making all the holes in my lawn? There do not appear to be any mounds of dirt near the sites. Thank you in advance for your time to answer my questions.
There are many species of wasps that readily nest in the ground. Though many of these wasps are solitary or loners, several social species make nests like the ones commonly seen on overhangs and under decks. These nests are akin to paper wasp nests and typically are made in soil that is above water level or where excessive water won't flood it during a good rain. So to answer your first question; it could be a paper wasp nest but it's most likely a closely related cousin.
Since there are so many wasps that commonly dig in the yard, it's hard for me to say just what species is doing the other digging. It could be all the same species but it's most likely several different types of wasps. They will commonly nest in similar locations so it's not uncommon to find lawns covered with holes and literally thousands of wasps all digging their own holes and nest cavities. Though most aren't aggressive, you need to be careful when walking around their territories. Some will become defensive and all can sting. In most cases people get stung because they go outside barefoot and inadvertently step on a nest. Pets and children are exceptionally vulnerable as they will many times come in contact with them and not realize they can get stung. And don't expect to see mud piles or dirt hills from their extraction; most will smooth out the dirt or it will quickly get washed away with the rain or if you water the lawn. Unlike worm castings, there is not "glue" or internal fluids to keep the dirt together. Many times it's so fine when it gets to the surface a slight breeze can blow it away.
If you decide to do something about this wasp problem you can review all our products listed in our DIGGER WASP PRODUCTS page. The CYFLUTHRIN GRANULES sprayed with ESFENVALERATE works great and usually knocks out the problem pretty quickly. We also have have ORGANIC GRUB KILLER which has proven to work on anything digging holes in the yard though it won't provide much long lasting protection. It is certified for organic gardening though so it's very safe to use. Expect to use it once a week for 2-4 weeks in order to get good control depending on how bad the activity has gotten.
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I have removed a nest from the door jamb of my vehicle three times in the last two weeks. I have never heard of them building in vehicles, and will be purchasing a repellent to spray where I keep finding the nest. Is it possible for them to have another nest in another part of the vehicle that I can't see? Should I take the vehicle in to see if they are elsewhere, or will spraying the door jamb keep them at bay. I haven't seen any hanging around my vehicle, just the one with the nest, and I haven't noticed them in the yard anywhere. The car is driven most days, and I work in different locations, and I don't park in the same spot of my driveway all the time. Just a bit concerned since they keep coming back. Thank you for any info you can send my way.
Wasps rely on "scent" to both make and find suitable locations on which to make nests. Once a location is discovered and the process begins, it will most likely be used over and over unless some type of repellent is applied. This is due to the fact that there is a very distinct "scent" applied to the area.
If you review our online WASP CONTROL article, you'll see a product in there called CYPERMETHRIN. This product is highly repellent to wasps and where applied, they won't make new nests. It will both cancel out the old scent as well as send out an odor they don't like and tend to avoid. I suggest you get some, mix it up at the rate of 1 oz per gallong of water and then use a paint brush to apply it to the areas (in this case all door frames) where the activity has been seen. This should stop them immediately and in the past, our experience with this type of problem has shown that one application will stop them for the whole year.
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