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#1
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Urgh! European wasps in my garden!
What do I do? I spent a fruitless half-hour stalking the little buggers
with a fly swatter (yeah, I know - stupid!). They wouldn't sit still long enough for me to thwack 'em, nor even allow me to deliver a sharp forehand volley in fresh air. I'm very reluctant to spray anything about, since we have a lot of frogs and lizards living among our veg. What to do??? I can't see any nest or definite place from which the wasps are coming, although there's an old (empty?) paper wasps' nest up under the eaves of the house. There are swarms of these blasted European things, though, and it's starting to get dangerous to go out in the yard. Any and all help gratefully appreciated! =:-0 -- Trish Brown {|:-} Newcastle, NSW, Australia |
#2
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Urgh! European wasps in my garden!
Trish Brown wrote:
What do I do? I spent a fruitless half-hour stalking the little buggers with a fly swatter (yeah, I know - stupid!). They wouldn't sit still long enough for me to thwack 'em, nor even allow me to deliver a sharp forehand volley in fresh air. I'm very reluctant to spray anything about, since we have a lot of frogs and lizards living among our veg. What to do??? Spraying them on the wing in small numbers isn't going to do much so save the frogs the toxic load. I can't see any nest or definite place from which the wasps are coming, although there's an old (empty?) paper wasps' nest up under the eaves of the house. There are swarms of these blasted European things, though, and it's starting to get dangerous to go out in the yard. Any and all help gratefully appreciated! =:-0 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/content/pw/ins/hp/euwasp.pdf It seems the trick is to find the nest and destroy it and the queen. In a rural area or leafy suburb it could be in one of 10000 hollow trees But if you find it you might remove a whole generation unlike the local non-colonial wasps which each do their own thing. David |
#3
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Urgh! European wasps in my garden!
Trish Brown wrote:
What do I do? I spent a fruitless half-hour stalking the little buggers with a fly swatter (yeah, I know - stupid!). They wouldn't sit still long enough for me to thwack 'em, nor even allow me to deliver a sharp forehand volley in fresh air. I'm very reluctant to spray anything about, since we have a lot of frogs and lizards living among our veg. What to do??? I can't see any nest or definite place from which the wasps are coming, although there's an old (empty?) paper wasps' nest up under the eaves of the house. There are swarms of these blasted European things, though, and it's starting to get dangerous to go out in the yard. Any and all help gratefully appreciated! =:-0 Watch for a while until you discover the hive , might be almost anywhere in the yard and after dark hit them with flames if possible |
#4
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Urgh! European wasps in my garden!
On Wed, 13 May 2009 13:03:35 +1000, Trish Brown wrote:
What do I do? Fly trap, the kind that is easy to crawl in, but not get out. Vegemite in water? sugar water? can not remeber which works best. |
#5
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Urgh! European wasps in my garden!
On Wed, 13 May 2009 15:40:01 +1000, atec 7 7 wrote:
Watch for a while until you discover the hive , might be almost anywhere in the yard and after dark hit them with flames if possible Err, OP says these are EUROPEAN wasps, not your paper wasp. |
#6
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Urgh! European wasps in my garden!
terryc wrote:
On Wed, 13 May 2009 15:40:01 +1000, atec 7 7 wrote: Watch for a while until you discover the hive , might be almost anywhere in the yard and after dark hit them with flames if possible Err, OP says these are EUROPEAN wasps, not your paper wasp. so they don't quieten in the dark ? are they easily offended in the dark ? |
#7
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Urgh! European wasps in my garden!
terryc wrote:
On Wed, 13 May 2009 13:03:35 +1000, Trish Brown wrote: What do I do? Fly trap, the kind that is easy to crawl in, but not get out. Vegemite in water? sugar water? can not remember which works best. Hah! Great idea! I'll try the little tykes with various baits and see which ones tickle their fancy. They disappear before it gets dark, but it's impossible to chase them, since they trundle over a series of neighbours' fences and I'm not as nimble as I used to be. The nest isn't in my yard (I don't *think*...), but I'm anxious not to attract a queen here either. The wasps I do have seem to be just sailing around aimlessly, barely alighting on anything (hence the problem with the fly swatter method). Thing is, the kids reckon there are more here today than there were yesterday. That's not a good sign, is it? =:-0 -- Trish Brown {|:-} Newcastle, NSW, Australia |
#8
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Urgh! European wasps in my garden!
Trish Brown wrote:
terryc wrote: On Wed, 13 May 2009 13:03:35 +1000, Trish Brown wrote: What do I do? Fly trap, the kind that is easy to crawl in, but not get out. Vegemite in water? sugar water? can not remember which works best. Hah! Great idea! I'll try the little tykes with various baits and see which ones tickle their fancy. They disappear before it gets dark, but it's impossible to chase them, since they trundle over a series of neighbours' fences and I'm not as nimble as I used to be. The nest isn't in my yard (I don't *think*...), but I'm anxious not to attract a queen here either. The wasps I do have seem to be just sailing around aimlessly, barely alighting on anything (hence the problem with the fly swatter method). Thing is, the kids reckon there are more here today than there were yesterday. That's not a good sign, is it? =:-0 Well they are attracted to sweet foods and meat so hide the pet food and hope they go else where if you cant source the hive... Leaving a poisoned sweet food will kill much more than wasps which is a real quandary so atm no ideas |
#9
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Urgh! European wasps in my garden!
On Fri, 15 May 2009 05:41:55 +1000, atec 7 7 wrote:
Leaving a poisoned sweet food will kill much more than wasps which is a real quandary so atm no ideas Unless you have the proper bait, then you are far better to just trp the foragers. Helps cut down on food supply and health of the hive.hopefully the winter will kill them off. |
#10
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Urgh! European wasps in my garden!
terryc wrote:
On Fri, 15 May 2009 05:41:55 +1000, atec 7 7 wrote: Leaving a poisoned sweet food will kill much more than wasps which is a real quandary so atm no ideas Unless you have the proper bait, then you are far better to just trp the foragers. Helps cut down on food supply and health of the hive.hopefully the winter will kill them off. I was under the impression in a cold winter they all most all die yet this is not happening , a bowl of sugar and honey will attract them and I am told there are poisons to suit BUT this will kill all the insects that partake ... |
#11
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Urgh! European wasps in my garden!
On Fri, 15 May 2009 15:43:09 +1000, atec 7 7 wrote:
terryc wrote: On Fri, 15 May 2009 05:41:55 +1000, atec 7 7 wrote: Leaving a poisoned sweet food will kill much more than wasps which is a real quandary so atm no ideas Unless you have the proper bait, then you are far better to just trp the foragers. Helps cut down on food supply and health of the hive.hopefully the winter will kill them off. I was under the impression in a cold winter they all most all die yet this is not happening, There is cold and cold. a bowl of sugar and honey will attract them and I am told there are poisons to suit BUT this will kill all the insects that partake ... That is why you have a trap. Take a soft drink bottle, cut top funnel shape off, invert and fasten inside. bugs can walk down funnel into bottle and fall/fly off inside. not too man bugs can walk the zigzag to get back out. Put sugar water in bottom. -- Once again, our prime minister Kevin Rudd brings stability to the nation by reassurring the nation that one law still exists for the rich and another for the poor. After a personal visit; http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...27/2553855.htm |
#12
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Urgh! European wasps in my garden!
I don't have any advice sorry, but I just wanted to give you some positive
karma for at least trying to tackle them without poisonous sprays etc first. Unfortunately that hasn't worked but it was definitely worth a try |
#13
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Urgh! European wasps in my garden!
"David Hare-Scott" wrote in message
... http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/content/pw/ins/hp/euwasp.pdf It seems the trick is to find the nest and destroy it and the queen. In a rural area or leafy suburb it could be in one of 10000 hollow trees But if you find it you might remove a whole generation unlike the local non-colonial wasps which each do their own thing. Although this may not sound practical for the regular home owner, I wonder if staying outside in a beesuit for a day or two and observing the "bee traffic" might lead to the nest? |
#14
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Urgh! European wasps in my garden!
Hi Trish,
they are easy to get rid of but you must be careful. 1/ In the afternoon, try to locate their nest. This can be done by watching for them returning to it. Use your peripheral vision, it is much better for perceiving movement. 2/ Once the nest entry point is located, place something nearby as a marker so that you can find the nest again in the dark. Make sure that any alternative entry points are located too, however these are quite unusual. 3/ IMPORTANT! Use a torch with a red filter over the lens. European wasps will not react to red light. Make sure that it is really red. If not red enough, the wasps may react to the light and attack you. 2-3 layers of red cellophane shoud be enough. It MUST be red. Sorry to shout, if you get stung, it's because you didn't take note of this point. 4/ There are several ways that you can kill them. a) If the nest entry goes vertically down, then the cheapest (but environmentally worst) option is to pour petrol into the nest and block the entry with a rag that is also soaked in petrol. Do NOT ignite it. b) If the nest entry goes in sideways or upward then you must use a surface spray or powder. I prefer the surface spray (usually Baygon as the Mortein product is not as effective) because it kills the wasps guarding the entry immediately. Spray the liquid or puff the powder into the hole. I use about half a can per nest. 5/ You'll hear are loud humming coming from within. It's time to leave now. 6/ Check the site the next day. There may be a couple of stragglers that camped out overnight because they didn't get back to the nest, this is normal. The nest itself should be quiet with no traffic going in or out. Sometimes the entry hole is very long and goes up and down so the spray may not make it into the nest. (With powder the wasps can carry this in). The wasps may then forge another exit point and you'll have to repeat the process. I have used this method for dozens of nests in the last 10 years or so. It is quite reliable and much cheaper than the pest exterminators in spacesuites. Regards, Ed. On May 13, 1:03*pm, Trish Brown wrote: What do I do? I spent a fruitless half-hour stalking the little buggers with a fly swatter (yeah, I know - stupid!). They wouldn't sit still long enough for me to thwack 'em, nor even allow me to deliver a sharp forehand volley in fresh air. I'm very reluctant to spray anything about, since we have a lot of frogs and lizards living among our veg. What to do??? I can't see any nest or definite place from which the wasps are coming, although there's an old (empty?) paper wasps' nest up under the eaves of the house. There are swarms of these blasted European things, though, and it's starting to get dangerous to go out in the yard. Any and all help gratefully appreciated! =:-0 -- Trish Brown {|:-} Newcastle, NSW, Australia |
#15
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Urgh! European wasps in my garden!
On May 13, 1:03*pm, Trish Brown wrote:
What do I do? I spent a fruitless half-hour stalking the little buggers with a fly swatter (yeah, I know - stupid!). They wouldn't sit still long enough for me to thwack 'em, nor even allow me to deliver a sharp forehand volley in fresh air. I'm very reluctant to spray anything about, since we have a lot of frogs and lizards living among our veg. What to do??? I can't see any nest or definite place from which the wasps are coming, although there's an old (empty?) paper wasps' nest up under the eaves of the house. There are swarms of these blasted European things, though, and it's starting to get dangerous to go out in the yard. Any and all help gratefully appreciated! =:-0 -- Trish Brown {|:-} Newcastle, NSW, Australia Dear Trish I have had no experience with European Wasps or with tracking insects. However I do recall many years ago reading about Australian Aboriginal techniques for tracking native bees to their hives. I think they used to catch one and stick some white fluff onto it which made it easier to follow through the bush. Perhaps a risky technique with European Wasps!! However, I googled "tracking native bees" and as expected I found a native bees enthusiasts' site. These people seem to know more about native bees than anyone needs to know, and some of them must know how to track insects through the bush. Despite the neighbours' fences I think that tracking them in the suburbs will probably be easier than in the bush. From the sound of the web page the native bee people would probably be a helpful group, and I think they would probably share your hostility towards European Wasps. From other people's comments, it does seem as if finding the hive would be the ideal place to start. The link is http://www.aussiebee.com.au/abol-011.html Yours Norm |
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