Wasps

[jmfurugori]

Hello, can anybody suggest an ecological way to get rid of a wasps’ nest? It’s very much in the way of essential activities, my partner has been stung and I’m not sure we can wait until the autumn for them to die off. Placing a mock nest (Waspinator) hasn’t made a difference.

[John]

A few years ago we had a wasp’s nest hanging down from a branch of a tree in our garden. A friend said he could get rid of the wasps but would need a large bucket of water, a step ladder, a pair of secateurs, and a pint of beer. Intrigued, we assembled his requirements and welcomed him to the garden as dusk approached.

The beer was for him to drink while waiting for the last wasp to enter the nest. He then climbed the step ladder with the bucket of cold water, positioned the bucket just below the nest and then cut the branch with the secateurs so the nest dropped into the bucket. I’m not sure whether it was drowning or heart attack due to the cold water that did for the wasps.

[jmfurugori]

Thanks John, I appreciate you sharing that story. It would be a great solution if the nest was positioned at a height like that. In this case, it’s under the decking boards on a barge! We might have a go at hosing down with high pressure, something I’ve read about elsewhere. Anything other than the insecticide powder that’s the standard solution!

[Author]

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