Bugs in my electrical system

[Cliff_Johns]

Well wasps to be specific. All dead. They found their way into the box from outside, then died. Every once in a while I'd find one flying around my basement (never smack a wasp with a pine board when it's landed on your forehead), but couldn't find out where they came in.

They had built a nest at the top of the rigid conduit (which was cleaned out last summer) and sometimes they would decide to go down the conduit and into the electrical box. I opened the electrical box today, just to see.

Cliff

 

[RobS]

I hate those buggers! Your photo gives me the willys Cliff. Fortunately, I've had few in the house but they build their nests all over the outside. I'll have to check out my electrical service entrance to make sure it's bug-proof /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jinman]

I got a buzz outta' that picture! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

In Texas it would be fireants. Some people put dog collars inside their electrical boxes to repel the little critters. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Cliff_Johns]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( In Texas it would be fireants. Some people put dog collars inside their electrical boxes to repel the little critters. )</font>

Now those must be big ants. I understand how a dog collar works, but how do you know when the ant has it on, so you know when to press the button to zap the little bugger? And anyway, I think you'd lose a lot of dog collars that way.

Cliff

 

[cj7]

Nasty!

Good thing they were all dead when you opened it up!

Reminds me I hae to take of a hornets nest at the peak of my roof before it gets warm.

Guess you used the ol'shop-vac... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Cliff_Johns]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Guess you used the ol'shop-vac... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )</font>

Nah, I just closed the box back up. I left them as a warning to any others that might decide to come into my house that way. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Cliff

 

[Junkman]

I have them in the attic and when we get a warm day in the winter, one or two will get into the house somehow. I have never been able to locate where they get into the house, but they do. We also get some bug that looks like a Wasp, but is just very stinky when you kill them. I pick those up with a tissue and just flush them. I would remove the carcasses from the panel, because you never know when the carcass will become food for some other insect.

 

[jinman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I understand how a dog collar works, but how do you know when the ant has it on, so you know when to press the button to zap the little bugger? )</font>

I realized after I posted that I should have said flea and tick collar. I had a feeling you were going to catch me on that. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

My house has no attic. It's just tongue and groove decking on top of 4x10 beams. Along the outside edges, my builder didn't do the greatest job of caulking (like not at all). I've caulked enough to slow down the critters coming in, but I still get a few wasps and lots of ladybugs. In my estimation, ladybugs are some of the stinkiest little bugs around. I'm sure Junkman's bugs couldn't be much worse. When you vacuum up ladybugs, the vacuum cleaner exhaust just sends that stink throughout the house. Yuck! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Cliff_Johns]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( In my estimation, ladybugs are some of the stinkiest little bugs around. )</font>

I don't think you're talking about our regular Lady Bugs. Lady bugs don't stink. It's the little asian fake lady bugs that stink. I forget what they are called.
Cliff

 

[duber34]

I think they're called Asian Lady Beetles? Whatever the name is, they sure stink!



Regards,
Duber

 

[PineRidge]

Nasty looking stuff Cliff. We used to have to call the exterminators every season to get rid of the same pests till we found out what the guy was spraying. Now we buy Cynoff ourselves and spray a couple of times a season, no more bugs.

 

[ByronBob]

Can you buy the foam stuff to fill the cracks. I did when there were honey bees coming in through a small crack in my house and eliminated the problem. Stuff seals awesome

 

[PineRidge]

I'll send you the link to the website where I got my chemicals as there is a wealth of info there on all kinds of insects.

insect control

Mike

 

[Nasty135]

I usally get them in the house in the fall ,The build their nests in the chimney then it gets cold they fall to the damper get a little warm seek their way inside through the damper and start to fly all over the house! Anywhere from one to five or ten at a time /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif That's when I should have the first ceremonial fireplace lighting of the year ,but sometimes don't get to it rightaway...

I sure am glad the wife and kids aren't afraid of them , they just kill'em and count'em up for the day /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif They are fairly slow moving at that time of year. And they don't move at all when we get done with'em /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Although I was in my socks one morning and stepped on one by accident ,he must have been about dead to be upside down and had enough reflex left in him to execute the stinger mode and tickle my foot a little /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif but it was his last act of defiance...

 

[buckle97]

I have two chimneys in my house that are no longer used. Every year wasps build nests in the chimneys, and every winter on a warm day they end up coming into the house. I have the openings covered as best as I can, but they still manage to find their way in. They usually go straight for the windows and we just swat them dead against the glass.

Lawrence