Yellowjacket Elimination
Common Mistakes in Eliminating Yellowjackets, Hornets, Bees
•Trying to kill yellowjackets with a Wasp Freeze rarely works. A wasp freeze is designed to sharp-shoot a stinging pest or their exposed nest. This is fine for visible paper nests under the eaves of your home but a waste of time for nests in the ground or in voids of a structure. A wasp freeze has a quick knock down on most insects but has no residual and will not spread out inside of a void, as will an insecticide dust.
•Spraying a liquid insecticide into a void will not penetrate the large nests of yellowjackets. The insecticide solution will follow the path of least resistance, not blowing out sideways as will a professional dust.
•Many over the counter dusts found in lawn and garden centers are simply too heavy for this job. You need the precise formulation of a professional dust for the job.
•Do not attempt to eliminate an underground colony or one that is in a wall void during daylight hours! You will get a better kill and will have a safer outcome if you wait until dusk. More about this in our yellowjacket elimination section.
The best yellowjacket elimination job starts with locating any possible entry points leading to the nest. This is true of ground nests as well as wall nests. It is best to locate these entrance holes during the afternoon hours. During this time period, the workers are easily seen as they forage for food and return to their home. To create a safer environment for yellowjacket extermination, place a small object close to the entrance hole so that it is easily seen. This is very important, as you will see in the second step of the operation. If you can see entrance holes, go to the next step in yellowjacket elimination. If you are unable to pinpoint the exact location of the colony's entrance, it might be due to grass, weeds, ground cover or landscaping. In this case, it might be necessary to broadcast the general area with a professional liquid insecticide, using your hose end sprayer. A pump type garden sprayer is not suggested for this job. Eliminating yellowjackets, bees in a wall void or other such above ground nest, follow the guidelines in Yellowjacket elimination in voids.
When broadcast treating an area, there are two pesticides that work better than others: Cypermethrin and Talstar. Both of these products are synthetic pyrethrins that are safer to use than Dursban, Diazinon or other harsh products. These two products are also far better in performance. Yellowjackets, wasps and hornets do not like Cypermethrin!
Pour 4 to 8 ounces of Cypermethrin insecticide concentrate into your hose end sprayer. Attach your sprayer to a garden hose. You may now safely spray your pesticide solution over the entire area. Begin with fence lines, flower beds, tall grass or weeds, or any area where you suspect yellowjackets to forage or where possible entrances to their colony could be. If there is not too much flying insect activity, you can broadcast your liquid insecticide during daylight hours. Watch your step! The power of your garden hose sprayer will give you the reach and distance needed to do the job but you should still be on the lookout for yellowjackets and their colony entrance holes. After your Cypermethrin treatment, you may go on to the next step in yellowjacket elimination.
Once a nest or colony entrance has been located and marked, you will be able to apply your pest control products in the correct area. However, do not attempt to eliminate an active yellowjacket nest in the middle of the day. This is very dangerous as it invites multiple stinging workers to your exposed face and skin.
The best time to do this pest control job is at dusk. During this time you will have some visibility but the insects will be settling down for the day. Wasps, bees, hornets, yellowjackets prefer to rest at dark. This gives you two distinct advantages:
•All workers will be in the nest, instead of foraging and gathering food for the colony. This gives you an excellent kill.
•If workers are at rest in the ground, you know where they are and you know that they are not active nor in defense mode. This means a safer work environment for you.
