The Lemon Fool

I have a wasps nest in a leaf mould bin in the back garden. At times, this results in a horrific number of wasps swarming in the garden. It has to go & without waiting for winter. This is all housed in one of those tapered black bins.

Now all the sensible responses will mention getting in pest control experts. Much too sensible.

What are the alternative ideas for dealing with this problem myself ?

Wrap yourself in polyester clothing for protection, then set a small lit candle down next to the nest. Finally, get a bucket full of petrol and sluice it all over the nest.

Good luck with the Darwin Award. Or you could just call in a professional.

More seriously, can you not just close the lid of the bin and leave in the sun for a few days? Or have the wasps eaten through the bin?

If you can see where they're entering the bin (and I'm talking about a gap in the compost, not a crack in the bin itself), you can probably settle the score with one of those spray can nest-destroyers that shoot insecticide up to about eight feet, through a plastic tube.

We've had to use them a few times, notably when wasps have nested in the bushes near where our granddaughter was riding her bike - and with 100% success each time. They totally destroy a nest - basically, they melt it!- and if you can target the jet at their entrance you'll almost certainly kill them all.

Top tip is to attack the nest from a safe distance and at dusk, when they're most docile. It'll all be over within a minute. Dress sensibly, and keep pets and kids out of the way. But hey, you'd figured that already.

There are those who argue for a more benevolent approach to wasps, because they're only god's little creatures doing what god told them. Trouble is, somebody I knew was killed by a single wasp sting in her ear, and I've never felt quite so forgiving about them since.

BJ

Wasps = 'c***s with wings' (Urban Dictionary)

Tedx wrote:Wasps = 'c***s with wings' (Urban Dictionary)

I thought that was Linda McCartney?

Id second the wasp killer spray powder.

I dressed like the Michelin man expecting them to rush out but done late pre night but it was fine just a couple moving about.

1 quick spray and they were gone next day

When I've had wasp problems before, I've used Nippon ant killer powder with total success each time.

Wait until the late evening when they've calmed down, shake the container to free up the powder, and spray liberally at and into the entrance to the nest.

I wore no special clothing, but did make sure the house door was open !

bungeejumper wrote:Top tip is to attack the nest from a safe distance and at dusk, when they're most docile. It'll all be over within a minute. Dress sensibly, and keep pets and kids out of the way. But hey, you'd figured that already.

Thank you.
Some of this has crossed my mind, but I'd far rather collect some advice than learn the hard way.

As others have said, late evening, a quick puff of ant powder. Job done.

Padders72 wrote:

Tedx wrote:Wasps = 'c***s with wings' (Urban Dictionary)

I thought that was Linda McCartney?

There was only one Linda.

Lusardi?

Padders72 wrote:Lusardi?

That would have made the Mull of Kintyre more interesting!

I'm running short of ant killer, but did venture out with an Raid ant & insect killer aerosol after 10 pm & sprayed where they are getting into the bin.
There is also more range on the aerosol. This seemed to quieten them down, but I retreated to safety.

This morning they still seemed quiet. I removed the lower door and lid from the compost bin with a hoe. They seem to have a nest attached to the underside of the lid. I've sprayed it a little from a distance, but will get up close after dark tonight & hopefully see them off.

I have also checked that nothing is getting established in the other 3 compost bins.

mike wrote:When I've had wasp problems before, I've used Nippon ant killer powder with total success each time.

Wait until the late evening when they've calmed down, shake the container to free up the powder, and spray liberally at and into the entrance to the nest.

I wore no special clothing, but did make sure the house door was open !

+1

Except I'm spheksophobic so full motorcycle leathers/gloves/helmet (visor) kit for comfort when the few night/entrance guard wasps do buzz out and around you as you spray the powder.

jaizan wrote:I'm running short of ant killer, but did venture out with an Raid ant & insect killer aerosol after 10 pm & sprayed where they are getting into the bin.
There is also more range on the aerosol. This seemed to quieten them down, but I retreated to safety.

This morning they still seemed quiet. I removed the lower door and lid from the compost bin with a hoe. They seem to have a nest attached to the underside of the lid. I've sprayed it a little from a distance, but will get up close after dark tonight & hopefully see them off.

I have also checked that nothing is getting established in the other 3 compost bins.

Raid spray doesn't seem as effective as it once was. A few years back, a sprayed wasp in flight would instantly die if sprayed. Now, they almost laugh at me spraying it at them.

But spraying a full can onto a nest seems to work well since the liquid soaks into the fibres of the nest. I would say that is a good way to deal with it.