Yellow Jackets
Went out this afternoon to sift some compost, to use as
top-dressing in my veggie bed. The composter is one of those round plastic bins that I bought from the city. It's been filled, and ignored, for two years. So today I pry it open, and hear a buzzing. Step back and throw a large stone at it, and out come yellow jackets. How they got in there to begin with, I don't know. The bin has not been opened, is level on the ground, with a tight lid. So my problem - how do I get rid of the bees, and still be able to use the compost? I don't want to use a bug spray, or any chemicals at all. Do I just knock over the pile, and wait for them to find another home? Thanks... -- Julie http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumList?u=3008861 reply to me @attbi.com |
Yellow Jackets
"Julie" wrote in message ... So my problem - how do I get rid of the bees, and still be able to use the compost? I don't want to use a bug spray, or any chemicals at all. Do I just knock over the pile, and wait for them to find another home? Hi Julie As a beekeeper, we use soapy water to kill 'bee-wanna-bes'. When we get a call about bees bothering someone, or whatever, if it is a ground type bee, we advise pouring soapy water into the hole/nest after dark. After dark because all the bees/wasps/hornets/jackets will have returned from whatever they were doing during the daylight. I don't think soapy water will destroy, or even harm, the compost. You might want to try it before you give up on your great fertilizer! Judy |
Yellow Jackets
Judy and Dave G wrote:
As a beekeeper, we use soapy water to kill 'bee-wanna-bes'. When we get a call about bees bothering someone, or whatever, if it is a ground type bee, we advise pouring soapy water into the hole/nest after dark. After dark because all the bees/wasps/hornets/jackets will have returned from whatever they were doing during the daylight. I don't think soapy water will destroy, or even harm, the compost. You might want to try it before you give up on your great fertilizer! Wow, Judy, Thanks! That's terrific advice. I have four composters, so it wouldn't kill me to not use this pile. But..this is the "aged" one, and it looked so dark, so crumbly, so appetizing. I'll try it and post the results. -- Julie http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumList?u=3008861 reply to me @attbi.com |
Yellow Jackets
I'm another Julie...
Do you mean soapy water like dishwater? Hot or does it matter? And does this actually kill the yellowjackets? How? Thanks, Julie -- On Sat, 26 Apr 2003 22:50:37 -0400, "Judy and Dave G" typed these words: "Julie" wrote in message ... So my problem - how do I get rid of the bees, and still be able to use the compost? I don't want to use a bug spray, or any chemicals at all. Do I just knock over the pile, and wait for them to find another home? Hi Julie As a beekeeper, we use soapy water to kill 'bee-wanna-bes'. When we get a call about bees bothering someone, or whatever, if it is a ground type bee, we advise pouring soapy water into the hole/nest after dark. After dark because all the bees/wasps/hornets/jackets will have returned from whatever they were doing during the daylight. I don't think soapy water will destroy, or even harm, the compost. You might want to try it before you give up on your great fertilizer! Judy -- |
Yellow Jackets
Hi All
Yep, like dishwater. The chemist/scientist that told us of this remedy said you only need to use about 1 - 2 tablespoons in a gallon of water. Being an 'I can't believe that is enough' kind of person, I always advise to just squeeze that soap container til you think it is enough. I would say that I probably use more like a 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup. (So, here you have the 'expert's' recommendation and also the 'I'm the one they are gonna attack if it isn't enough' recommendation. ;o} ) No, doesn't matter hot or not. Sometimes we bring the soapy water from home and it is definitely cool by the time we use it. Yes, it does actually kill the yellow jackets, or hornets or wasps, or even honey bees. Trying to remember the exact term he used, but I can't. Something to do with the glands or 'holes' (sorry, not scientific word) on the yellow jackets skin (I am not sure they even have skin, but whatever their outer coating is called). Apparently the soap clogs ups the pores and they die. The only time someone said it did not work was an elderly lady that didn't do nighttime. She had to pour the water when it was still evening. The yellow jackets hadn't all returned home. They didn't attack her or anything, but she said it didn't work. We went over a couple days later, after dark, and poured some on for her. She still tells people that it doesn't work as fast as we say it does. It takes a couple of days or more. ;o} Judy "Julie" wrote in message ... I'm another Julie... Do you mean soapy water like dishwater? Hot or does it matter? And does this actually kill the yellowjackets? How? Thanks, Julie -- On Sat, 26 Apr 2003 22:50:37 -0400, "Judy and Dave G" typed these words: "Julie" wrote in message ... So my problem - how do I get rid of the bees, and still be able to use the compost? I don't want to use a bug spray, or any chemicals at all. Do I just knock over the pile, and wait for them to find another home? Hi Julie As a beekeeper, we use soapy water to kill 'bee-wanna-bes'. When we get a call about bees bothering someone, or whatever, if it is a ground type bee, we advise pouring soapy water into the hole/nest after dark. After dark because all the bees/wasps/hornets/jackets will have returned from whatever they were doing during the daylight. I don't think soapy water will destroy, or even harm, the compost. You might want to try it before you give up on your great fertilizer! Judy -- |
Yellow Jackets
Hi Judy, Sorry I am so long responding... this time of year I'm more likely to be outdoors and forgetting the computer. Thanks for this good information. This goes in my "to keep" file. peace, Julie -- On Sun, 27 Apr 2003 10:49:32 -0400, "Judy and Dave G" typed these words: Hi All Yep, like dishwater. The chemist/scientist that told us of this remedy said you only need to use about 1 - 2 tablespoons in a gallon of water. Being an 'I can't believe that is enough' kind of person, I always advise to just squeeze that soap container til you think it is enough. I would say that I probably use more like a 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup. (So, here you have the 'expert's' recommendation and also the 'I'm the one they are gonna attack if it isn't enough' recommendation. ;o} ) No, doesn't matter hot or not. Sometimes we bring the soapy water from home and it is definitely cool by the time we use it. Yes, it does actually kill the yellow jackets, or hornets or wasps, or even honey bees. Trying to remember the exact term he used, but I can't. Something to do with the glands or 'holes' (sorry, not scientific word) on the yellow jackets skin (I am not sure they even have skin, but whatever their outer coating is called). Apparently the soap clogs ups the pores and they die. The only time someone said it did not work was an elderly lady that didn't do nighttime. She had to pour the water when it was still evening. The yellow jackets hadn't all returned home. They didn't attack her or anything, but she said it didn't work. We went over a couple days later, after dark, and poured some on for her. She still tells people that it doesn't work as fast as we say it does. It takes a couple of days or more. ;o} Judy "Julie" wrote in message .. . I'm another Julie... Do you mean soapy water like dishwater? Hot or does it matter? And does this actually kill the yellowjackets? How? Thanks, Julie -- On Sat, 26 Apr 2003 22:50:37 -0400, "Judy and Dave G" typed these words: "Julie" wrote in message ... So my problem - how do I get rid of the bees, and still be able to use the compost? I don't want to use a bug spray, or any chemicals at all. Do I just knock over the pile, and wait for them to find another home? Hi Julie As a beekeeper, we use soapy water to kill 'bee-wanna-bes'. When we get a call about bees bothering someone, or whatever, if it is a ground type bee, we advise pouring soapy water into the hole/nest after dark. After dark because all the bees/wasps/hornets/jackets will have returned from whatever they were doing during the daylight. I don't think soapy water will destroy, or even harm, the compost. You might want to try it before you give up on your great fertilizer! Judy -- -- |
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