Beware! Yellow jackets are out.

RalphVa · Jun 23, 2021

Normally don't experience them well into July and August, but yellow jackets got me mowing this afternoon.

They actually moved some rocks in front of a blueberry bush and have a nest in there.

Got a note to myself and told the wife to remind me to go out 6-7 pm and spray with wasp and hornet spray. Gasoline works, too, but you don't have to get very close with that wasp and hornet spray. Don't tell the extension office I told you about the gasoline. They prefer you to use the nerve agent killer stuff, e.g. wasp and hornet spray.

I had to shut the ZT blades off and let it sit a spell to let them simmer down to be able to get back on it (without blades on) and move it.

Ralph

Jchonline · Jun 23, 2021

I prefer a flamethrower, but the wife hates the cleanup

Molalla1 · Jun 23, 2021

Jchonline said:
I prefer a flamethrower, but the wife hates the cleanup

My M . . .

Tinhack · Jun 23, 2021

I have a 10' square three sided shed I use for my ZT mower. I have to go in armed with a can of wasp spray every time I want to mow. I get the foam spray. It coats the nest and surrounding area before any wasps can take flight. It pretty much kills them instantly. And it will knock them out of the air too. Seems there's always 3-4 nests in there each time. Down here, yellow jackets start showing up the first sunny day over 60 degrees--Sometimes in February. !!!

4get gto · Jun 23, 2021

I got hornets. The little ones. Nasty little SOB's
Trimming hedges with a hedge trimmer stirs them up quick.
And they'll chase you down for about 20-30 feet.

oosik · Jun 23, 2021

I've seen a few around the outbuildings. Some at the hummingbird feeder. I haven't seen any bald faced hornets - yet. I could do without the hornets.

Jstpssng · Jun 24, 2021

Yellow jackets had just started a nest in my Troy Bilt when I went out to do some tilling. I got stung but he did such a poor job that it took a few seconds for me to realize what it was. They also like to nest in places such as hitches of trailers which have been setting for... a week or so.
One year I had a nest in the housing of my mower. I got it hooked up without getting stung, turned on the PTO and the nest was gone.

As has been mentioned in other posts allergies can change over time. It's worth it to keep a supply of Benedril on hand, just in case. A Canadian timber cruiser I knew years ago had his first reaction while working out in the woods, rendering him unconscious for several hours, luckily he revived. He said that the last thing he thought of before passing out was holding his infant son.

oosik · Jun 24, 2021

I have to be careful around my stored implements. YJ's will make nests in the open ended pipes, tubes & cross members. Handle the nests first or be prepared for a nasty surprise during hook up. I've found that WD40 sprayed will put them down - just about as good as commercial sprays. I purchase WD40 by the gallon and dispense with a hand pump bottle.