Wasp Nest - help

az2wp0sye65487

I have a small wooden garden shed with a felt roof (fairly standard). I opened it today only to be attacked by a wasp. When I looked up there were a couple of them up on the inside of the roof and there was a small nest hanging from the ceiling.

The visible party is small enough, about half the size of a light bulb.... Is this the whole thing or is there probably more to it that I can't see??

Also, what's the best way to get rid of it? I can't be risking getting stung every time I go to get something from the shed!

Thanks...

Ulmus

That's the start of the wasp nest. It will grow much bigger. You can get wasp killer spray from the DIY shops. When it is dark, late at night, you can spray the nest as the wasps are inactive then. Bring a torch and wear protective clothing to be safe.

nudger

Often get them in my shed, around golf ball size, have your exit sorted and hit it with a sweeping brush and get out of there.

You will often find them in an unused attic, they can get very big.

az2wp0sye65487

Thanks for the info.

So there isn't more to it than that? The bit hanging from the ceiling is the lot?

It's in an awkward position as it's right at the front so to properly see it you have to go inside the shed! So a whack of a brush handle and then some treatment with wasp killer spray will sort it...

Will that deter them from coming back and trying to build another one though?

nudger

They usually are in corners, if you hit it it will go to dust and they are gone no need for treatment.
If you are feeling a bit worried about this then get the spray €8-€10 will last you years but be careful with it, dangerous stuff, it's not the house wasp/fly killer spray.

http://www.woodiesdiy.com/Product/Nippon-Wasp-News-Destroyer-300ml/9573/4.4.8

They come back to me most years but only in small numbers, now that you know what to look out for just keep an eye out.

Rosy Posy

I would steer clear of the spray personally. There are some pretty serious chemicals in it and IMO its unnecessary. We get them often and we wait til after dark (so the wasps are sleeping and won't swarm) then knock it off into a bucket of water or soak it with the hose, depending on the location.

az2wp0sye65487

It's not in a corner but it's right in the centre of the roof, and directly above the door!! If I go into the shed and move it I've blocked my escape with angry wasps!

How about smoking them out? does that even work?

For example, putting some newspaper in a bucket and lighting it on the floor under the nest... would that drive them away? I could then just destroy the nest once they've gone!

nudger

Your not going to be moving it, just get the brush/mop stand outside and bang it up at it a few times and it's gone then get out of there.

Or if you can wait until tonight, then do as Rosy Posy said.
I've taken bigger ones down in a plastic bag with gloves on but can be a bit hairy, need to be quick.

.red.

Dont poke it with anything. Buy the wasp nest spray and use it at night in the dark. A torch will attract any that are not in the nest. Spray it well and leave it a day or 2.
If left untreated it will grow to the size of a basketball. I had to get rentokill out a few years ago over one in my attick. I got stung and wasnt going near it. Paid €100 and the nobs didnt even take it away. I could probably have done that myself but was wary of getting out of the attick quick enough after spraying.
The rentokill guy reckoned it was as big as hed seen and could have upto 20,000 wasps inside.

edanto

I would avoid knocking it off with a broom handle, even at night. That could get a little messy.

One option is to get a canvas bag with a drawstring, go in at night (protect yourself with gloves over sleeves/trousers in socks/hood/scarf), and then put the bag over the nest quickly and draw the string. Bring it outside, drop the whole bag into bucket of water and submerge with a brick.

Some wasps will return to the spot but won't linger more than a few days when the nest is gone. Or if they're particularly determined (or if there is a chunk of nest left), they might try a rebuild, but just knock that little bit off and eventually they'll go.

ps Fire is a handy option if the next is outside, but wouldn't bother with it in the shed! I took one off an apple tree last year, just went out at night with flaming rag on a stick and held it beside the door of the nest - they all flew out, wings burnt off and they fell to the ground. Nest caught fire and that was that. All gone in a few days. Not quite sure what the neighbours would have thought if they saw me in the back garden, apparently setting fire to a tree!

az2wp0sye65487

nudger wrote: »

Your not going to be moving it, just get the brush/mop stand outside and bang it up at it a few times and it's gone then get out of there.

Or if you can wait until tonight, then do as Rosy Posy said.
I've taken bigger ones down in a plastic bag with gloves on but can be a bit hairy, need to be quick.

Where it is, I can't see it from outside. So the only way to see what I'm doing is to go into the shed - trapping myself!

I'll give the spray a bash this evening!

nudger

The spray comes out more like a jet than a mist so you don't have to get close.
Cover your nose and mouth with a scarf or you'll be high as a kite and not in a nice way.

Rosy Posy

Blake Deafening Levee wrote: »

Where it is, I can't see it from outside. So the only way to see what I'm doing is to go into the shed - trapping myself!

I'll give the spray a bash this evening!

If its right by the door you could stand inside and spray it with the hose facing towards the door so most of the water goes outside. If you do go down the chemical route make sure there's adequate ventilation, cover your nose and mouth well, take a shower afterwards and make sure there are no kids or pets in the area for a couple of days. Best of luck.

az2wp0sye65487

So there I was covered head to toe: Hoodie, safety goggles, face mask, gloves & bottoms tucked in to socks. Torch in one hand and can of spray in the other... Sprayed the bejaysus out of the nest and then legged it outta the shed.

As I ran out I saw one of the neighbours lookin at me out their kitchen window!

Must've been thinkin "what the hell is that lunatic up to?!".....

.red.

this is the one up my attick. wouldnt fancy hitting one this size with a broom stick:eek::eek:

edanto

.red. wrote: »

this is the one up my attick. wouldnt fancy hitting one this size with a broom stick:eek::eek:

Holy sh1t!! That's a small city. Going by a previous post in this thread, there might be 20,000 wasps in that!

I'd call a specialist for that one. What stage are you at? Just find it?

.red.

edanto wrote: »

Holy sh1t!! That's a small city. Going by a previous post in this thread, there might be 20,000 wasps in that!

I'd call a specialist for that one. What stage are you at? Just find it?

That post about the 20000 was me and yes we got in rentokill. He said it must have been there months. Its still up the attick 2 years later lol. I keep meaning to take it down but never do.
We had another one in the shed that somehow broke, i got stung near it so maybe broke it without knowing. It was only the size of an egg shell.

CruelCoin

Get a tube of expanding building foam.

Jam nozzle in, squeeze, hey presto, attractive yellow blob in the corner.

Grayson

Blake Deafening Levee wrote: »

So there I was covered head to toe: Hoodie, safety goggles, face mask, gloves & bottoms tucked in to socks. Torch in one hand and can of spray in the other... Sprayed the bejaysus out of the nest and then legged it outta the shed.

As I ran out I saw one of the neighbours lookin at me out their kitchen window!

Must've been thinkin "what the hell is that lunatic up to?!".....

I'd be thinking you're a braver man than me. I would have had a car waiting. Those fcukers remember and they'll be back. mark my words, you're a marked man and have limited time left.

Dartz

Dump a can of Raid on it.

It's Nerve gas for the vicious bastards.

McDermotX

Fire......and lots of it.

the purple tin

I think I heard that soaking the nest in petrol will kill them off, or maybe just drive them mental.
ps , if you ever find a hornets nest leave it to the professionals, those bad boys can really sting!

Nabber

It's a challenge by the wasps. Don't back down. They have marked your territory, it's time for you to mark it again. Wasps fear human sweat. Go for a jog, build up a sweat. Strip down and piss on their nest. Also piss counter acts the sting. So spray yourself down. Lock the shed door when you get in. Wasps are disorientated in closed spaces.

No wasp will come near you again.

KyussBishop

the purple tin wrote: »

ps , if you ever find a hornets nest leave it to the professionals, those bad boys can really sting!

Ya, as this man can attest: (if it weren't a hoax)
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/467900/20130515/man-sweden-dies-sex-hornet-s-nest.htm

MadYaker

Wow, a guy posts in AH looking for sensible advice..... and gets 2 pages of sensible advice! I actually had to check at the top to make sure this was indeed AH.

Reamer Fanny

Blake Deafening Levee wrote: »

I have a small wooden garden shed with a felt roof (fairly standard). I opened it today only to be attacked by a wasp. When I looked up there were a couple of them up on the inside of the roof and there was a small nest hanging from the ceiling.

The visible party is small enough, about half the size of a light bulb.... Is this the whole thing or is there probably more to it that I can't see??

Also, what's the best way to get rid of it? I can't be risking getting stung every time I go to get something from the shed!

Thanks...

Burn down the shed? Smoke em out

Hownowcow

MadYaker wrote: »

Wow, a guy posts in AH looking for sensible advice..... and gets 2 pages of sensible advice! I actually had to check at the top to make sure this was indeed AH.

Ok, but can you imagine if he posted about anyone else but W.A.S.P.s? There'd be hell to pay if he got the advice he got here.

Peter The Pedo

Leave them be

Reamer Fanny

Peter The Pedo wrote: »

Leave them bee

FYP

Conmaicne Mara

Peter The Pedo wrote: »

Leave them be

Kill 'em all :cool:

JohnMarston

You best hail your new wasp overlords. That nest is only the beginning

az2wp0sye65487

MadYaker wrote: »

Wow, a guy posts in AH looking for sensible advice..... and gets 2 pages of sensible advice! I actually had to check at the top to make sure this was indeed AH.

I originally posted the thread in the nature forum so the first few (sensible) replies are from there.

Then it was moved to AH as the mods in the nature forum didn't like the talk of killing them!!

goose2005

MadYaker wrote: »

Wow, a guy posts in AH looking for sensible advice..... and gets 2 pages of sensible advice! I actually had to check at the top to make sure this was indeed AH.

No-one even used the phrase "blast it with piss".

the purple tin

Blake Deafening Levee wrote: »

I originally posted the thread in the nature forum so the first few (sensible) replies are from there.

Then it was moved to AH as the mods in the nature forum didn't like the talk of killing them!!

If those mods found that 20000 wasp nest in their attic I think they would change their tune

Israeli Superiority

.red. wrote: »

this is the one up my attick. wouldnt fancy hitting one this size with a broom stick:eek::eek:

Holy shit.

toastedpickles

goose2005 wrote: »

No-one even used the phrase "blast it with piss".

Blast it with piss

There ya go! :pac:

snollup

.red. wrote: »

That post about the 20000 was me and yes we got in rentokill. He said it must have been there months. Its still up the attick 2 years later lol. I keep meaning to take it down but never do.
We had another one in the shed that somehow broke, i got stung near it so maybe broke it without knowing. It was only the size of an egg shell.

Can I ask what Rentokill charged? Have the same problem in our attic.

Hoop66

I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

Dravokivich

MadYaker wrote: »

Wow, a guy posts in AH looking for sensible advice..... and gets 2 pages of sensible advice! I actually had to check at the top to make sure this was indeed AH.

2 pages? Amatuer! :pac:

x43r0

MadYaker wrote: »

Wow, a guy posts in AH looking for sensible advice..... and gets 2 pages of sensible advice! I actually had to check at the top to make sure this was indeed AH.

I know, I'm pleasantly surprised. I came in to suggest that OP burn the entire house down just to be safe but I'd feel about it now

Fratton Fred

If it's smaller than a lightbulb then the queen probably hasn't moved in yet. Hit it with a broom, close the door and run, the wasps will **** off after an hour or so.

Fratton Fred

.red. wrote: »

this is the one up my attick. wouldnt fancy hitting one this size with a broom stick:eek::eek:

You need to phone rentakill, the army or an estate agent.

General General

Remote control helicopter used here... it's great fun. Wasps go mental.

jinkybhoy

I had one in my shed - size of a golf ball. I used telescopic shears to cut it from roof into a bin bag. i then brought it outside and went all michael douglas on their asses.

Great craic and an added bonus, now all my neighbours leave me in peace.

gramar

I think you need to get Bumblebee man to have a word with them Ay, ay, ay, no es bueno!

General General

jinkybhoy wrote: »

I had one in my shed - size of a golf ball. I used telescopic shears to cut it from roof into a bin bag. i then brought it outside and went all michael douglas on their asses.

Great craic and an added bonus, now all my neighbours leave me in peace.

:eek: You licked the wasps out?

jinkybhoy

General General wrote: »

:eek: You licked the wasps out?

only just heard about that after I posted I of course mean Michael Douglas from Falling Down:)

Genghiz Cohen

Don't use regular water, use soapy water. Little bastards hate it.

Crooked Jack

the purple tin wrote: »

I think I heard that soaking the nest in petrol will kill them off, or maybe just drive them mental.
ps , if you ever find a hornets nest leave it to the professionals, those bad boys can really sting!

My Da said he used to use diesel because it sticks to their wings and basically they can fly.
As for the hornets, you're right there. We found them in our shed a lock of years ago and they were another story altogether.
Absolutely huge and incredibly vicious. Like they wouldnt just attack you if you bothered them, they'd seek you out and go for you.
I remember one slammin up against the windscreen of the tractor and rappin it a few times to try and get at me (at least that's what it looked like to me, but I was still pretty young at the time), it was something out of a horror film.

Stationmaster

Used to work in the forestry services during the school holidays and we often came across nests of the b*****ds during the summer. A small coke bottle, half filled with petrol, with a piece of paper coming out the top usually did the job once lit.
Probably not advisable in a shed though......

Ihatecuddles-old

I was stung by a hornet about 2 years ago, was just locking the front door and the little sh*t stung me good.

My parents have a wasp nest in the shed at the moment. My mam rang me to supervise my dad because she won't be there.
She's afraid he'll be a twitching lump covered in wasp stings when she gets back.

Fun day ahead...