Jeff-C175 7,202 #1 Posted December 7, 2021 (edited) Spotted this under the second floor eave today. Obvisously a Hornet Nest, but what's with the 'spout' on the bottom? I've never seen that before... or is this what they do and then build around it? Maybe they were drunk on fermented grapes when they built this? Edited December 7, 2021 by Jeff-C175 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,593 #2 Posted December 7, 2021 https://homegardenjoy.com/site/2019/05/wasp-nest-with-tube-the-bald-faced-hornet-nest.html Search "bald faced hornet". They're aggressive but also beneficial by keeping other pests at bay. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #3 Posted December 7, 2021 Thanks Eric! What's odd is that this was not there "early Spring" but had to have been built in the past couple weeks! We do have a grape vine that attracts the bees of all kinds but those have been gone for a month or more. I'm going to knock it down. I've been watching it and have not seen any activity. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,593 #4 Posted December 7, 2021 10 minutes ago, Jeff-C175 said: activity You may want to do some preemptive testing to make sure that there aren't any semi-dormant wasps in there. Touching the nest is arguably the most aggressive thing an outsider could do to them. If there are any little sleepy wasps in there you'll know it very quickly. 😂 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,328 #5 Posted December 7, 2021 Been there, done that! They are nasty little critters, and unlike the bumblebee, these have no barb on the stinger - they can (and will) sting you repeatedly. Interesting fact - all those aggresive nest protectors are Female - explains a lot!!! Bill 1 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maxwell-8 4,277 #6 Posted December 7, 2021 WD-40 and a lighter.... ...best way to burn down your house 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,598 #7 Posted December 7, 2021 Cool / cold night. Gently place thick garbage bag around it. Snip off quickly into bag and tie. Double bag and toss. Done. Or the 20’ spray can of “wasp be gone…” 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,150 #8 Posted December 7, 2021 Non-Flammable brake cleaner. Works better than bee spray! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #9 Posted December 7, 2021 Problem is that it's about 25' up! Can't get close to it but on a ladder. I'm certain this nest wasn't completed for some reason. Maybe the Queen started it, saw who her neighbors were and decided to go elsewhere! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,150 #10 Posted December 7, 2021 20 minutes ago, Jeff-C175 said: Problem is that it's about 25' up! Can't get close to it but on a ladder. I'm certain this nest wasn't completed for some reason. Maybe the Queen started it, saw who her neighbors were and decided to go elsewhere! 6 ft. step ladder and a brand new can of CRC Brakekleen will hit it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,634 #11 Posted December 7, 2021 @SylvanLakeWH agree with your bagging idea , another thing is time of year , bugs are down with activity , if you don't remove it , they will be back and rebuild it , know all about how bad they can get , pete 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #12 Posted December 7, 2021 25ft up they will not bother you... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #13 Posted December 7, 2021 5 hours ago, roadapples said: 25ft up they will not bother you... No... but I still don't want it there! But, from what I've read, they won't come back to it, their nests are 'one season use'. So I just may leave it and let the weather disintegrate it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SPINJIM 1,981 #14 Posted December 8, 2021 Wait until colder weather. Most of the nest dies with the extreme cold, but the queen lives through the winter. Knock it down after the stinging wasps are dead, then make sure you destroy the queen with a spray or your foot. Been there, done it. Be careful on the ladder. Jim 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #15 Posted December 8, 2021 26 minutes ago, SPINJIM said: careful on the ladder. I've got a 35' "Long Arm" pole that I can use. I'll tape a putty knife to the end and just slice it off and let it fall to the ground. If I do anything with it at all! I know that the "Treasurer" would like it gone... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,235 #16 Posted December 8, 2021 I heartily agree with @SPINJIM about waiting until after a good freeze and then in the dark for takedown. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #17 Posted December 8, 2021 (edited) There was a nest on the hill behind where I used to work about 35 years ago. One morning we had a heavy frost so I went up and got it and hung it in the back of my panel truck. I always ate lunch in my truck and listened to Paul Harvey. Well....it had warmed up a good bit till noon and when I got to the truck the windshield was covered with hornets. I figured they were more interested in getting out than they were in me so I opened the passenger side window and carefully got in the driver's side and ate my lunch. The guys I worked with thought I was more than a little bit crazy, but I never got stung. Went out that evening and they were gone. Still have the nest. The one on the left.. Edited December 8, 2021 by roadapples 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,905 #18 Posted December 8, 2021 13 hours ago, Jeff-C175 said: I've got a 35' "Long Arm" pole that I can use. I' got enough shop vac hose? When we have bees in a high spot, I fashion together a pvc extension on my shop vac hose and they get curious as to the wind noise… and go right in the tube. This nest looks small enough to suck right up. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
