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Wasp Blower

softsolder.com

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Re: Wasp Blower

#81

Post by [deleted] »

neilv wrote: post #80
chihuahua wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Two thoughts: 1. If is were possible for an ordinary mortal to impose arbitrary curses on the god of death and justice, the world would quickly descend into utter chaos. 2. If children are completely free from accountability, adults will form them into an army and convince them to commit crimes on their behalf, leading to an intolerable situation. This may already be a standard way of doing business in some parts of…

> 1. If is were possible for an ordinary mortal to impose arbitrary curses on the god of death and justice, the world would quickly descend into utter chaos. Opportunity myth? Mortals are simply temporarily embarrassed gods?

[deleted]

Re: Wasp Blower

#82

Post by alexjplant »

foobarian wrote: post #19

Similar story, had a nest in the walls of a bay window bump. Too far up the side to spray effectively, but they had one weakness: there was a clear entrance spot. So I duct taped a pool vacuum hose next to it and ran it into the garage attached to a shop vac. Left it running for a day, problem solved. It was fun listening to the "ka-thunk" sound when each insect got sucked in. I think for next time I'll make some kin…

Years ago one of my friends left a half-drank can of beer outside of my house on a hot summer night. I found it a few days later when I went to take the mower out of the shed. To my surprise when I picked it up I felt something rattling around inside. In the interceding period a bunch of wasps had apparently decided to help themselves to my buddy's leftover National Bohemian and ended up drowning in what I assume to be intoxicated bliss.

Or maybe they couldn't find their way out of the can in the dark, who knows. As a fellow Boh aficionado I can't blame them for trying.

Re: Wasp Blower

#83

Post by SoftTalker »

If you have a nest in the ground you can fill it with CO2 gas at the entrance hole in the evening when they are resting. The gas will sink into the nest and leave no toxic residue.

Trick might be finding the CO2, you can normally rent a tank at a welding supply shop. You'll also need a pressure regulator and hose.

Dry ice can also be used, put some in a soda bottle with water and a hose taped up or snug fit to the top. Do not allow the bottle to pressurize however.

Some people have reported using car exhaust but I'm not sure that's as effective.

Re: Wasp Blower

#84

Post by move-on-by »

I haven't seen my successful method mentioned yet, so I’ll share.

I had a ground nest, but it was built into a rock wall for a raised flower bed. They had several exit points. Despite emptying multiple of those spray cans, it was a healthy hive. Feeling discouraged, I dumped a bunch of fire ant powder all over the rocks. I did it at night, hoping they were all in there. I checked on them the next day and they were gone. I have no idea if it killed them or they decided it wasn’t a good home location anymore and left. Either way, no more yellow jackets.

Re: Wasp Blower

#85

Post by EvanAnderson »

The house we bought last year "came with" cicada killer wasps[0]. They are impressive insects. The ones show in the Wikipedia article are a little smaller than the ones we have! I'd never heard of these things before getting this house.

They are somewhat destructive in their nesting. We ended up having to kill a few when they were excavating the bedding sand between the flagstones surrounding the house. They could dig out a pile of sand standing 4 - 5 inches tall in about 30 minutes (leaving a hole about an inch in diameter right in the middle of the pile).

They don't sting and are scared of humans. When they're unladen they fly very quickly and are quite agile. When they're laden with a cicada they bumble through the air in a most amusing way. They are also persistent-as-heck when it comes to their nesting behavior.

I wish I could do something like this wasp blower to gently suggest these guys nest in the yard instead of between the flagstones.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphecius_speciosus

Re: Wasp Blower

#86

Post by ordu »

chihuahua wrote: post #70
chandureddyvari wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Slightly tangential but this was a learning moment for me. This reminds me of a story where Sage Mandavya established the first juvenile law in Hindu mythology. Long ago, there lived a great sage named Mandavya who had taken a vow of silence and spent his days in deep meditation. One day, while he sat motionless beneath a tree with his arms raised in penance, a group of thieves being pursued by the king’s soldiers fl…

Two thoughts: 1. If is were possible for an ordinary mortal to impose arbitrary curses on the god of death and justice, the world would quickly descend into utter chaos. 2. If children are completely free from accountability, adults will form them into an army and convince them to commit crimes on their behalf, leading to an intolerable situation. This may already be a standard way of doing business in some parts of…

1. idk how it works in Hindu mythology, but Mandavya doesn't look an ordinary mortal for me. Double so: not ordinary and not mortal.

2. It would fail to deliver. The goal is to avoid punishment for crimes? But I suspect that convincing children to commit crimes is a crime by itself.

Re: Wasp Blower

#87

Post by throwuxiytayq »

chihuahua wrote: post #70
chandureddyvari wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Slightly tangential but this was a learning moment for me. This reminds me of a story where Sage Mandavya established the first juvenile law in Hindu mythology. Long ago, there lived a great sage named Mandavya who had taken a vow of silence and spent his days in deep meditation. One day, while he sat motionless beneath a tree with his arms raised in penance, a group of thieves being pursued by the king’s soldiers fl…

Two thoughts: 1. If is were possible for an ordinary mortal to impose arbitrary curses on the god of death and justice, the world would quickly descend into utter chaos. 2. If children are completely free from accountability, adults will form them into an army and convince them to commit crimes on their behalf, leading to an intolerable situation. This may already be a standard way of doing business in some parts of…

> If is were possible for an ordinary mortal to impose arbitrary curses

Yes, but logic doesn't apply to religious beliefs; anime logic does.

Re: Wasp Blower

#88

Post by skinkestek »

chihuahua wrote: post #70
chandureddyvari wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Slightly tangential but this was a learning moment for me. This reminds me of a story where Sage Mandavya established the first juvenile law in Hindu mythology. Long ago, there lived a great sage named Mandavya who had taken a vow of silence and spent his days in deep meditation. One day, while he sat motionless beneath a tree with his arms raised in penance, a group of thieves being pursued by the king’s soldiers fl…

Two thoughts: 1. If is were possible for an ordinary mortal to impose arbitrary curses on the god of death and justice, the world would quickly descend into utter chaos. 2. If children are completely free from accountability, adults will form them into an army and convince them to commit crimes on their behalf, leading to an intolerable situation. This may already be a standard way of doing business in some parts of…

> If children are completely free from accountability, adults will form them into an army and convince them to commit crimes on their behalf, leading to an intolerable situation. This may already be a standard way of doing business in some parts of the world.

This is an ongoing problem in Norway now and I think it has been in Sweden for some time.

If you want to read more, search for the foxtrot network.

Re: Wasp Blower

#89

Post by linsomniac »

I've found if you have wasps nesting somewhere that there is an entrance or a sheltered place for them to build their nest, it's best to cover or fill the entrance if possible. Caulking or Great Stuff foam is a great choice here. Any cracks or holes they use to get behind siding or the like, for example. We had persistent nest problems in an underhang of our Little Free Library, which is a terrible place for a wasp nest, and I filled that gap with great stuff.

We have paper wasps predominantly around here, and they will tend to nest in secluded areas, often voids or overhangs. I built my shed specifically to limit the ability for wasps to have a great place to make home.

Re: Wasp Blower

#90

Post by Brian_K_White »

opwieurposiu wrote: post #54
genuineresponse wrote: post #39

Wasps in a high traffic area are definitely bad, but if the nest is somewhere not too in the way I'd encourage folks to leave it be. Wasps are predators, and they eat a lot of the bugs that damage gardens. Yes, they are also assholes, do you have to strike a balance, but they can be really beneficial. Obviously, if you've got young kids around or the wasps are being aggressive, take care of the humans first, but unde…

When we were kids we used to catch wasps in a plastic cup, put them in the freezer until they were anesthetized, and then tie a little leash on them with sewing thread. Then you chase your friends around the neighborhood with your personal attack wasp. Good times.

I fried them in a piece of glass tube from a neon sign, with the high voltage wires from the transformer poked into the opposing ends of the tube until it started to arc from wire to wire through the wasp. Stank.

I'm neither proud nor ashamed. Today in my more boring older age I just grab whatever random inappropriate houshold or automotive chemical is handy that squirts or sprays.

Wish I had thought of the freezer & string thing.

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