chemical free yellow jacket control - Ask Extension
Hi! We found a ground nest of yellow jackets in our front yard. We garden a lot and have lots of native pollinator-friendly plants around our house, ...
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chemical free yellow jacket control #261229
Asked July 12, 2015, 1:14 PM EDT
Hi! We found a ground nest of yellow jackets in our front yard. We garden a lot and have lots of native pollinator-friendly plants around our house, in particular a patch of swamp milkweed right next to the entrance of the ground nest. Previous nests in the back yard were just left alone, but this one is in a spot where a neighbor/local kid could stumble across it if they cut through our yard, and we also can't really mow or maintain the yard around it. We don't want to use any chemicals, but I'm having a hard time finding an exterminator with a vacuum. Do you have any suggestions? Would there be a way to find someone who has those vacuums used for honey bee colony removal? If we can't find an insecticide free way to manage the nest, what should we do to protect our other pollinators when we (or an exterminator) apply a powder?
Thanks!
Montgomery County Pennsylvania
Expert Response
A big problem with removing a nest yourself is possible stings and possible allergic reactions. If you know you are not allergic, then the following may work.
There are various things you could use eliminate the yellow jackets that would not end up on the plants (and then the pollen and nectar). Boric acid and diatomaceous earth (these are powders) will kill the wasps as will soapy water. All of these need to be poured into the nest. Soapy water works 'best'. If you use any of these you need to apply the material at night (late evening) when the majority of the wasps are in the nest. You MUST protect yourself from stings as it is very likely the wasps will try to leave the nest as you pour the material into the nest. Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks, shoes, a hat and, if possible, something to cover your face and hands (latex gloves work well). Make sure your socks are pulled over your pant legs and that the latex gloves are pulled over your sleeves. [None of these items will prevent 100% of stings but it will reduce the risk of getting any stings. I use these precautions when ever I am serious disturbing my honey bee colonies.]
You could also cover (at night) all entrances with an upside down bowl. Leave the bowl over the entrances for several weeks. [This could be combined with boric acid and/or diatomaceous earth. Cover the area under the bowl with either or both of these powders. The wasps will move the material into the nest as the try to leave the nest.]
To protect pollinators it is best to not use a systemic insecticide or one that is sprayed anywhere other than directly into the wasp nest.
To prevent future problems, try spreading mulch anywhere you do not want ground nesting bees or wasps. Most bees and wasps will not nest through mulch.
There are various things you could use eliminate the yellow jackets that would not end up on the plants (and then the pollen and nectar). Boric acid and diatomaceous earth (these are powders) will kill the wasps as will soapy water. All of these need to be poured into the nest. Soapy water works 'best'. If you use any of these you need to apply the material at night (late evening) when the majority of the wasps are in the nest. You MUST protect yourself from stings as it is very likely the wasps will try to leave the nest as you pour the material into the nest. Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks, shoes, a hat and, if possible, something to cover your face and hands (latex gloves work well). Make sure your socks are pulled over your pant legs and that the latex gloves are pulled over your sleeves. [None of these items will prevent 100% of stings but it will reduce the risk of getting any stings. I use these precautions when ever I am serious disturbing my honey bee colonies.]
You could also cover (at night) all entrances with an upside down bowl. Leave the bowl over the entrances for several weeks. [This could be combined with boric acid and/or diatomaceous earth. Cover the area under the bowl with either or both of these powders. The wasps will move the material into the nest as the try to leave the nest.]
To protect pollinators it is best to not use a systemic insecticide or one that is sprayed anywhere other than directly into the wasp nest.
To prevent future problems, try spreading mulch anywhere you do not want ground nesting bees or wasps. Most bees and wasps will not nest through mulch.
