Now, our deck is quite tiny, and with two cats and two humans, I told the little buggers, "There ain't room enough for the both of us." Of course, they didn't listen to me and just went on their merry way building a very impressive hideaway that looked like corrugated cardboard.
Looking for an alternative scare tactic, I did about two minutes of research on the internet and found a simple, cheap, humane way to get rid of wasps. The only materials required were a brown paper bag, crumpled up paper, and string. We already had these items in the apartment, so I figured, why not give it a try?
Apparently, wasps are very territorial, so when they see another nest (especially if it's bigger than theirs) they will abandon their efforts and build their home somewhere else. The online instructions told me to create a fake nest by stuffing the brown paper bag with crumpled up paper, and hanging it near the wasps nest with string. The bugs will eventually get the hint, and then you can knock down their nest and gloat at your deceptive powers.
I was skeptical (and actually still am) but it was either coincidental, or this method worked for me. When the paper wasps came back this summer, I did the same thing, and lo and behold, they buzzed off!
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What great advice! I wonder if it works with Carpenter Bees, which are eating through a bench on our front porch?
ReplyDeleteTrina, I'm not sure, but if you try it, let me know how it works!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool! What a terrific way to avoid spraying pesticides into the environment.
ReplyDeleteWill it work for people who ring my doorbell trying to keep me from going to hell because I believe in the wrong religion?
I have the same problem on my deck. But I can't find the nest. It must be on someone else's deck, or a nearby tree. I'll have to give this bag thing a try, but since I don't know exactly where the nest is, it may not work. The only methods I found online were ones you wouldn't approve of, like turning a 2L soda bottle into a trap. (Don't worry, I haven't tried that one.)
ReplyDeleteI won't tell you the things I did to wasps when I was a little boy. Let's just say that pyrotechnics were involved. Little boys are dangerous.
ReplyDeleteBut I remember climbing up this stone cliff. I got to about 50 feet in the air when I found myself wedged awkwardly between two pieces of stone-- staring face to face with a wasp's nest.
Was definitely between a rock and a hard place there.
Oh, how I wish you were there today! The gazebo has several wasps nests and some guy came to spray, while we were standing there. I don't know what he used, but the wasps stumbled a bit and began to fall. I ducked out of the way.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great idea; I witnessed it work!
ReplyDeleteKemuel, yes, to steal a not-so-vegan phrase, this method "kills two birds with one stone." In addition to not hurting the wasps, it's not bad for the environment either. I'm not sure if it will work with humans though, even if they are 'bugging' you.
ReplyDeleteProofreader, give it a try. Maybe it will at least scare them away from your deck, even if they keep their nest in close vicinity. Good luck!
Rob, it sounds like you got your just desserts.
Memoirs, that sounds like a very sad scene...
Rob D., thanks for testifying!
Sorry, I approve of the small-mouthed bottle filled with orange juice and ginger ale trick. A friend of mine got stung on the tongue by a -- actually, I think it was a bee -- that was in his coffee. Not fun and quite dangerous. For those who like these kinds of critters, check out the article on bee-keeping in the Inquirer or the bee-keeping group at Harriton House in Bryn Mawr. At least bees are productive -- honey! Eating local honey is supposed to prevent allergies. It acts like an inoculation -- reprocessed pollen.
ReplyDeleteOuch-- so sorry to hear about your friend's run in with a bee, Trina. That must have been very painful! I would still recommend trying the mock-nest first, though. A lot of pests will make themselves at home if they feel the environment suits them (i.e., it's not a good idea to leave food and water out in your kitchen because it attracts mice and bugs). But if you make your place as uninviting as possible, they'll likely pack up and go elsewhere. At least, that's what they do in the city (because "elsewhere" is only as far as the house next door. Sorry, neighbors :)).
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