Bald Face Hornets

[FLATHEAD]

This is in a rhododendron right next to my drive about 6 feet off the ground. Bigger than a basketball. As much as I walk past that, today was the first I noticed it.
Any suggestions on DYI removal?

 

[Bob_VT]

Do it at night......... First I would use a wasp spray from a distance maybe 2 or 3 times over a day.......... Get a clipper and cover it in a heavy plastic bag.

I sprayed one once about that size and placed a large "firecracker" on top and blew it apart....BTW Wasp Spray IS FLAMMABLE which created a 15' in diameter fire....... dramatic but effective.

 

[airshot]

Bald faced hornets have a memory....if any survive, they may very well come after you at a later date. They are nothing to mess with.....best to call a professional. If the nest has not been sprayed they may take it for free so they can make serum for folks with severe allergies.

 

[redneck joe]

leave it and respect it.

 

[FLATHEAD]

leave it and respect it.

Not where it is. My dogs walk right under it, and my grandkids play around in the driveway where it is. It’s got to go. Not taking chances.

When we were kids about 5 of us from the football team got the bright idea to take a nest like that out. It was at the local dairy farm where we messed around a lot. We rammed it with a 2x4 about 8 feet long. We all got the crap stung out of us. One kid jumped in the pond and got stuck in the mud. He got it bad. Stung all over his head and face. He had to go to the doctor. Very painful stings.

 

[redneck joe]

like pulling a tv on to your hed back in the day, only do it once.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Orchard sprayer 60% diesel 40 % gas do it at night and you better kill them all. Kill them with fire. Pretreat with the mix let soak in a little then light them up keep spraying the mix till the nest falls to the ground.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

leave it and respect it.

They have zero redeeming qualities, they recognize a human face they have had an issue with and will attack.

 

[Scott Danforth]

2 cans of wasp and hornet spray at night when the queen is in the nest

Empty 1 can into the hole. Have the second can ready to hit anything that moves

Alternative choice is to spray gasoline from a pump sprayer and toss a match to create a 30 foot fireball

 

[DeepCMark58A]

2 cans of wasp and hornet spray at night when the queen is in the nest

Empty 1 can into the hole. Have the second can ready to hit anything that moves

Alternative choice is to spray gasoline from a pump sprayer and toss a match to create a 30 foot fireball

The diesel mix keeps it down no big fireball but sustained heat, then again a 30' fireball is fitting for the death of the nest.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Brought to you courtesy of the red white and blue.

 

[FLATHEAD]

As much as a fireball sounds like a final curtain for the hornets I don’t want to burn up the rhododendron. It’s old and huge. Would hate to kill it.

 

[Scott Danforth]

A 6hp shop vac with a good filter bag may work to remove the nest with minimal damage to the bush. Then vacuum some wasp and hornet spray, then tape up the hose end

 

[Mc Tool]

I seen it on tv once , guy reckoned that a bit of flame to instantly burn the wings off anything coming out rendered them immobile and easier/safer to deal with from there on .
We have Rhodies all around our house and I sure wouldnt want to damage them . Gee I remember as kids we got our arses kicked when Dad found out we were building a tree hut in the huge Rhodies at home . Probly only 7-8 years old .

 

[Mc Tool]

A 6hp shop vac with a good filter bag may work to remove the nest with minimal damage to the bush. Then vacuum some wasp and hornet spray, then tape up the hose end

I have seen the results of such actions on domestic vacuum cleaners ( I used to fix vacuum cleaners ) ,apparently the ensuing exploding vacuum cleaner was spectacular . After the air is sucked up and filtered it is directed thru the motor to cool it ......the fizzing brushes will ignite any flammable vapour .....so dont spray anything flammable up the tube ....or if you do please get a vid