Had a new building built and I need to back fill the inside because there's about two foot of fall from the back of the barn to the front ( 30' ). Like any good farmer / redneck / country person I have a few dirt piles scattered across my property. This dirt pile isn't very big, and I was about done digging it up and a ran into a hornet / yellow jacket nest. I ran away like a school girl and came back to retrieve my tractor at dark. This morning when it was cooler I pushed the rest of the pile around which made them very happy. Used a full can of spray on them and killed what was buzzing around. Threw some diatomaceous over in the area too. Went and checked on it a little bit ago and there are still a fair number of them flying around. Anybody have an ideas how long it will take to them to leave the area or will I have to take more drastic measures ? I thought about taking a full scoop of dirt and dumping it over top of the area in hopes of covering up the hole to their nest.
If the hive is exposed it will be a dead scene in a couple days. Recently had a skunk dig one up and it took I think 4 days for all of them to finally disappear. There were about a dozen and a half of them just sitting down in the hole the skunk had dug. I could approach and look in without trouble. They've been real bad here where I am. Has me thinking we're in for it this winter.
Some diesel in a pump sprayer early in the morning after a cooler night will kill 'em off...or, I've heard soapy water dissolves their wings too...pick your method.
Soapy water works. I just killed a nest at work under my concrete side steps. I did make it rather thick with a 1/4 gallon of hand soap.
Was just going to say same thing. Works like a charm. About a half cup to a cup of it straight down the hole and they are done. Might take 2 days. If it rains maybe a 2nd dose.
I threw diatomaceous earth around the nest / hole yesterday. I believe it's similar to Sevin Dust. As of last night there weren't many swarming around the nest. I think it's just a waiting game at this point.
Poked the bear some more this morning. I dug down more with the tractor and there were a bunch that flew out of a hole in the ground. Jackpot Sprayed a whole bunch of them that were swarming around the hole with wasp / hornet killer. A little bit later I threw a bunch of DE on top of the hole. Back to the waiting game.
not really The DM basically dessicates them and shreds their bodies, the dust, static sticks to their body and they xfer it into the hive where it spreads out more. Yes they both will kill them so it's similar in that aspect.
Permethrin SFR Insecticide 36.8 % Or this can be bought at ace hardware. Basically the same thing. Martin's Insect Killer Liquid Concentrate 32 oz - Ace Hardware Its an oil based insecticide, mix with water into pump sprayer. They can't fly after they get hit by the chemical. I used to be an exterminator. I killed many stinging insects in daylight with permethrin, never got stung on the job. Those insects will die from the cold weather before the diatomaceous earth kills them.
This stuff is great!! All I really use anymore. I think you were the one who told me to use this on japanese Beatles White vinegar and a bit of dawn or similar detergent also takes them out fast.
Agreed, I’m definitely playing whack a mole with DE. I have a bunch of high dollar walnut trees near the nest so that’s why I wasn’t trying to use gas or diesel. That changed today when I found another hole in the ground they were coming in and out of. I’ve found three so far. Good call. I use some stuff called “Booty Juice” that has similar ingredients to wash my SXS with. Worked like a charm and a lot cheaper than wasp spray. If anybody is interested in the recipe let me know. It work wonders getting dirt off of a SXS. And the best part is, your SXS smell like washing machine detergent when you are done.
