Help...Hornets

[gmason]

For the last couple of evenings we've been working in the garage until after dark and with the garage door open to catch what little breeze there is. Well, we been catching something else that is starting to really bother me. Hornets, not yellow jackets, or wasps, but the big Bald Faced Hornet. They seem very attracted to our 3 banks of floresent lighting. Last night we had ~20 of them in there.

I've also found a few licking up some sap coming out of the base of a big Oak tree in our yard, bit have not located the nest. I believe that because they fly to the lights near dark that the nest must be somewhere in <font color="red"> sight </font> of the garage. Correct? or could this be a scouting party?

Tomorrow, I'm going to take a good look around and see what I can spot. My fears are they found our attic. I've not heard any tell-tale buzzing in the trees.

We've got about 50 friends coming out Saturday evening and I <font color="red"> REALLY </font> would prefer not to have these uninvited guests around to spoil it.

Any suggestions for locating the nest. What I've read, is to look high. My first peek will be in the attic. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

thanks
gary

 

[itsmecindi]

Gary I have no idea. I spend all my time going the opposite direction of where they might be. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

You might try hanging one of those big bug zappers in their line of traffic, if the scouts don't return maybe they will hunt for a living environment somewhere else.

 

[Docsknotinn]

You can always tell a scouting party by the war paint ! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Sorrry, lol. I use the spray you can get a TSC and home depot, stores like that. It knocks em right out of the air and sprays about 20 '. Works great on the nest as well. I have more trouble with wasps. The homes in our neighborhood are trimmed with rough sawn cedar. They love to build nests on that rough area. But be carefull, if the scouts don't return they might send the troops, listen for the bugle !! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[herbenus]

To find nest: Catch one or more of the hornets and tie a lightweight thread to one hind leg. Let hornet go and unwind thread from spool as it flys off. Follow thread.

 

[gmason]

Thanks Herb, so I guess you'll volunteer to come hold the hornet while I tie the knot? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[fivestring]

Gary, this time of year is when hornets and yellow jackets (same family) start preparing for winter. They are looking for food, better nesting areas, and yes, some are just attracted to the lights. In our area, September is the worst /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif . After Hurricane Hugo came thru in September of 1989 /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif , all of the yellow jacket's in-ground nests (usually we disturb them with a lawn mower and they swarm out of the holes /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif ) and all of the hornet's in-tree/on-house/in-attic nests were disturbed. This left many homeless and I guess you know the rest. (Glad the Red Cross didn't come to their aid).
Have plenty of spray handy (the kind that shoots 20 feet away) and use it.

 

[Docsknotinn]

I volunteer to take the photos while you guys catch the little bugger and tie a string to his leg. I can always use a good laugh /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[gmason]

Ok Doc, we know have Larry, Curley, and Moe /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[gmason]

here's a pic of one of the dead ones from this morning.

 

[gmason]

here's a pic of the lights