Author Topic: Yellow Jacket Nest in Apiary (Read 6454 times)

The15thMember · « **on:** July 08, 2022, 03:03:43 pm »

When I was inspecting one of my hives today, I noticed yellow jackets coming and going from a hole in the ground about a yard behind my hives. They weren't bothersome, since the weather is nice and warm and there is plenty of prey for them to find, but I imagine they will become trouble once fall hits. Since the nest is in my apiary, right next to my hives, I'm not really comfortable using a hard chemical insecticide on the entrance, as my bees are right there. How can I destroy the nest in a way that is safe for the bees?

Zweefer · « **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2022, 03:45:17 pm »

1 tbsp dish soap for every liter of water - mix and apply. I find Dawn works well.

The15thMember · « **Reply #2 on:** July 08, 2022, 03:47:10 pm »

Quote from: Zweefer on July 08, 2022, 03:45:17 pm

1 tbsp dish soap for every liter of water - mix and apply. I find Dawn works well.

Just dump it down the hole? That would probably work. Our soil is mostly clay, so I shouldn't have too much trouble with the water percolating out too quickly.

Zweefer · « **Reply #3 on:** July 08, 2022, 03:48:16 pm »

Yep. Or you could put it in a sprayer if you are feeling ambitious. I usually just mix up an empty two liter and call it good.

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The15thMember · « **Reply #4 on:** July 08, 2022, 03:54:52 pm »

Quote from: Zweefer on July 08, 2022, 03:48:16 pm

Yep. Or you could put it in a sprayer if you are feeling ambitious. I usually just mix up an empty two liter and call it good.

I'm thinking a flood is more devastating than a downpour. *Rubs hands together like a supervillain.* They won't even know what hit them!

iddee · « **Reply #5 on:** July 08, 2022, 05:07:24 pm »

One cup of gasoline works wonders, but may not be exactly legal. If done, DO NOT LIGHT. The fumes will kill all, including the queen. If lit, it will just burn off before penetrating and the YJ's will be fine.

The15thMember · « **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2022, 06:16:50 pm »

Quote from: iddee on July 08, 2022, 05:07:24 pm

One cup of gasoline works wonders, but may not be exactly legal. If done, DO NOT LIGHT. The fumes will kill all, including the queen. If lit, it will just burn off before penetrating and the YJ's will be fine.

Soap and water is a LOT cheaper than gas right now, so I think I will try that first. Gas can be plan B.

Jen · « **Reply #7 on:** July 09, 2022, 12:04:48 am »

Just a thought ... I haven't had to do this before, but does it makes sense to pour the soapy water in the hole at night when all the yellow jackets are back home?

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #8 on:** July 09, 2022, 07:26:43 am »

Wear a bee suit while doing this!

Jen · « **Reply #9 on:** July 09, 2022, 11:56:11 am »

"Wear a bee suit while doing this!"

Do it at night. Pour the soapy water in. Throw a garbage can lid over it. Run!

kidding

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #10 on:** July 09, 2022, 09:32:35 pm »

*Rubs hands together like a supervillain.* They won't even know what hit them!

LOL

Do it at night. Pour the soapy water in. Throw a garbage can lid over it. Run!

LOL again!!!!!

I found out many many (were not counting) years ago, that ether as in starting fluid... kills wasps instantly.... meaning they drop out of the air when hit and are DONE... We were trying to start an old truck sitting in a field... the wasps came at me, I sprayed in self defense... WOW! But yeah soap and water is way cheaper. I do have to say that there is a certain satisfaction in taking an attacking wasp out of the air.

Zweefer · « **Reply #11 on:** July 13, 2022, 08:25:36 pm »

inquiring minds want to know - how did it go?

The15thMember · « **Reply #12 on:** July 13, 2022, 08:49:10 pm »

Quote from: Zweefer on July 13, 2022, 08:25:36 pm

inquiring minds want to know - how did it go?

I actually haven't done anything about it yet. As I mentioned on another thread, I've been sick since Friday evening, and while I am starting to feel better, I'm not in shape to tackle a yellow jacket nest yet, so they've still got at least a few more days to live. Hopefully they make the most of it, because the end is nigh!

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #13 on:** July 23, 2022, 11:33:41 pm »

heh we really need a video of this!

The15thMember · « **Reply #14 on:** July 24, 2022, 04:15:44 pm »

Quote from: LazyBkpr on July 23, 2022, 11:33:41 pm

heh we really need a video of this!

Sorry, I don't have a camera that will take good low-light video. Also it wasn't as exciting as it sounds. So I did the deed last night, and I'm not sure if it worked. There were still some foragers coming in and out last evening, so I know I didn't get all of them. It was pretty simple, just poured the soapy water down the hole. The incoming foragers seemed confused by the soap at the entrance, but this morning they are going in and out just the same. Now obviously the hope for this strategy is to flood the brood nest, so it's possible that it's just a matter of time until the forager base decreases. I'm going to keep an eye on them for several days, maybe hit them again tonight with another gallon of soapy water, and we'll see what happens.

rober · « **Reply #15 on:** July 24, 2022, 08:13:38 pm »

use dish detergent w/water, gasoline, or diesel fuel. after dark put a LARGE funnel in the hole & run. if they weren't stirred up or have settled down pour liquid of choice into the hole. you can enlarge a smaller funnel using sheet metal, thin plastic, sheet linoleum... gas or diesel works best & you won't need more than a gallon. they haven't bothered you yet but those nests are a ticking bomb. being swarmed by a yellow jacket nest ain't no joke.

The15thMember · « **Reply #16 on:** July 25, 2022, 08:11:21 pm »

Well, this situation has come to a surprise conclusion. After supper, as soon as it was dusk, I went up to the yellow jacket nest armed with two more gallons of soapy water, and to my utter shock, the nest was dug up and all the yellow jackets gone or dead!

I just stood there, dumbfounded, with the gallons in my hands, speechless, my mouth agape, I couldn't understand or believe it. They were there yesterday! Based on the damage, I'm guessing it was a raccoon, which according to Justin Schmidt (of the Schmidt pain index fame, I happen to be reading his book right now) are the most common predators of yellow jackets in North America. The nest wasn't very large, somewhere between a softball and a volleyball in size. I'll inspect it in more detail tomorrow when it's light. So, I guess that's it. My advice to anyone else with this problem is to pour 1 gal. of soapy water down the hole and wait for the predators to do the rest!

Zweefer · « **Reply #17 on:** July 26, 2022, 12:27:49 am »

Was super nice of you to wash supper!

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Jen · « **Reply #18 on:** July 26, 2022, 12:04:06 pm »

15th, so what do the raccoons want with a yellow jacket nest? Do they eat the yellow jackets?

The15thMember · « **Reply #19 on:** July 26, 2022, 12:14:52 pm »

Quote from: Zweefer on July 26, 2022, 12:27:49 am

Was super nice of you to wash supper!

We are actually planning on using the jugs of soapy water to wash dishes today, because my mom was like, "There is no way we are wasting all that!"

Quote from: Jen on July 26, 2022, 12:04:06 pm

15th, so what do the raccoons want with a yellow jacket nest? Do they eat the yellow jackets?

I think they are mostly after the brood. Here's what Justin Schmidt says in his book The Sting of the Wild.

Quote

Raccoons are considered the most important predators of underground yellowjackets in eastern North America, where they avidly excavate nests, scatter the combs, and eat the brood from the combs much like a person eating corn on the cob.

Oh shoot, I've been forgetting that yellowjacket is one word and not two.