Wasp Nest - help

az2wp0sye65487 · 22-05-2013 12:42AM #1

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 · 22-05-2013 09:10AM

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 · 22-05-2013 09:28AM

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 · 22-05-2013 09:43AM

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 · 22-05-2013 10:04AM

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 · 22-05-2013 10:10AM

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 · 22-05-2013 10:21AM

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 · 22-05-2013 10:48AM

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. · 22-05-2013 10:58AM

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 · 22-05-2013 11:07AM

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 · 22-05-2013 11:12AM

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 · 22-05-2013 11:58AM

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 · 22-05-2013 11:59AM

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 · 23-05-2013 08:37AM

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. · 25-05-2013 06:58AM

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

edanto · 25-05-2013 07:13AM

.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. · 25-05-2013 08:38AM

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 · 25-05-2013 09:19AM

Get a tube of expanding building foam.

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

Grayson · 25-05-2013 10:32AM

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 · 25-05-2013 10:49AM

Dump a can of Raid on it.

It's Nerve gas for the vicious bastards.

McDermotX · 25-05-2013 10:55AM

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

the purple tin · 25-05-2013 11:03AM

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 · 25-05-2013 11:19AM

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 · 25-05-2013 11:24AM

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 · 25-05-2013 11:44AM

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 · 25-05-2013 11:50AM

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 · 25-05-2013 11:53AM

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 · 25-05-2013 11:57AM

Leave them be

Reamer Fanny · 25-05-2013 12:00PM

Peter The Pedo wrote: »

Leave them bee

FYP

Conmaicne Mara · 25-05-2013 01:12PM

Peter The Pedo wrote: »

Leave them be

Kill 'em all :cool:

JohnMarston · 25-05-2013 02:23PM

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

Wasp Nest - help

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