Bee hives - Ask Extension
Hello, while trying remove weeds in our garden, by accident we hit an old stump which cracked open and a bees hive got disposed. We got stung, of cour...
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Bee hives #876622
Asked July 10, 2024, 10:00 AM EDT
Hello, while trying remove weeds in our garden, by accident we hit an old stump which cracked open and a bees hive got disposed. We got stung, of course! We’d like to remove the stump with the bee hive in most eco-friendly was possible. We read that cinnamon would force them to move to somewhere else, however they’re still quite active. We don’t want to kill them and make them find a different home. Can you please advise us what to do?
I am adding a picture of one of the dead bees after they were on my dog! And other pictures.
Thank you,
Carmen
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
This looks like an Eatern yellowjacket, Vespula maculifrons.
Eastern yellowjackets can be considered a beneficial insect because they reduce populations of unwanted insects such as earwigs and caterpillars. Therefore, unless the nests are located close to the entrance of a building, in the ground of a lawn that is mowed, or in any area where the public is likely to encounter them, the nests can be ignored. Excerpted from: https://extension.psu.edu/eastern-yellowjacket
I would say this is not a nest to be ignored. Once a colony is established, cinnamon would certainly not deter the wasps from saving their home and unfortunately, unlike honeybees, there are not other nontoxic means of removal. You may follow the directions in the above Factsheet or you may call a licensed exterminator. Do be very wary if you decide to eliminate the wasps yourself. Most of them return to the nest for the night, but the moment they sense any threat they will immediately come out to defend their home.
More information:
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-2075-11
Eastern yellowjackets can be considered a beneficial insect because they reduce populations of unwanted insects such as earwigs and caterpillars. Therefore, unless the nests are located close to the entrance of a building, in the ground of a lawn that is mowed, or in any area where the public is likely to encounter them, the nests can be ignored. Excerpted from: https://extension.psu.edu/eastern-yellowjacket
I would say this is not a nest to be ignored. Once a colony is established, cinnamon would certainly not deter the wasps from saving their home and unfortunately, unlike honeybees, there are not other nontoxic means of removal. You may follow the directions in the above Factsheet or you may call a licensed exterminator. Do be very wary if you decide to eliminate the wasps yourself. Most of them return to the nest for the night, but the moment they sense any threat they will immediately come out to defend their home.
More information:
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-2075-11
