Advice about wasp nest in soffits - 2 entrances one metre apart

buyitall

Hi, I would be grateful if someone could advise on the following:

We have noticed wasps going in and out of the fascia boards of our house. The wasps are going in at two separate points, about a metre apart.

1. Does this mean that there are 2 nests, or just one nest that they are accessing at different points?

2. Also, when it comes to treating it, would we need to treat both access points? OH can reach one of them (with a ladder), but not the other.

3. Finally, as the access point is under the fascia board, and can't be seen from inside the attic, is there any advice on how to apply the powder to the access point? Even after shaking the container, hardly any powder comes out when it is pointing upwards!

As always, thanks for any advice and tips

greatgimpo

Why not leave them to die off naturally?

buyitall

greatgimpo wrote: »

Why not leave them to die off naturally?

I have been wondering about that, but it is right above where I sleep and close to the bedroom window, so now that I have noticed all the wasps flying in and out, it is making my imagination run wild!

Lorian

I would think two nests.

Are you sure he can't see the nests in the loft, they are likely to be very close to the ingress points. They look like chewed up balls of wood, and sometimes difficult to distinguish from insulation. Google images will have plenty of examples.

If you can see them they can be tackled with nest destroyer foam, but that takes some bravery and layers of clothing and absolutely no skin/eyes etc uncovered, but by far the quickest most effective way.

Treating the entry points only is a time consuming job. You need to firstly just watch the wasps. you need to see where they land and then how they crawl though the hole. The goal is to put powder where they walk so they pick it up on their legs and take it in to the nest. if you cant get the dust where you want it fro the puffer bottle put some in a small pot and use a paint brush to apply, avoiding breathing it in of course, and don't fall off the ladder while doing it. That might sound obvious but when you are there with you paintbrush in hand and a few come looking at what you are doing it can be a bit precarious.

There are other things that can be done too......

greatgimpo

If you do decide to get shot, leave the nest(s) where they are and intact, as the wasps won't use an old nest. Can you not just keep your window shut and ride your imagination out? At least your greenfly population won't boom!

buyitall

Lorian wrote: »

I would think two nests.

Are you sure he can't see the nests in the loft, they are likely to be very close to the ingress points. They look like chewed up balls of wood, and sometimes difficult to distinguish from insulation. Google images will have plenty of examples.

If you can see them they can be tackled with nest destroyer foam, but that takes some bravery and layers of clothing and absolutely no skin/eyes etc uncovered, but by far the quickest most effective way.

Treating the entry points only is a time consuming job. You need to firstly just watch the wasps. you need to see where they land and then how they crawl though the hole. The goal is to put powder where they walk so they pick it up on their legs and take it in to the nest. if you cant get the dust where you want it fro the puffer bottle put some in a small pot and use a paint brush to apply, avoiding breathing it in of course, and don't fall off the ladder while doing it. That might sound obvious but when you are there with you paintbrush in hand and a few come looking at what you are doing it can be a bit precarious.

There are other things that can be done too......

Thanks - what are the 'other things'? I'm intruiged...

Lorian

Forgot to say if you do just dust the entrances keep adding more dust for a few days after you think they are all gone, and expect it to take at least a week of re-dusting.

buyitall

If we pay someone to come and spray the entrance, any idea if they will charge twice for the two separate points?

Lorian

buyitall wrote: »

Thanks - what are the 'other things'? I'm intruiged...

Permethrin sprays and bombs can be useful, judicious use of the hoover, flamethrower......

Also bottle traps with orange juice or fruit in them - you can make these for free in 2 minutes from a 2lt plastic bottle.

Keep in mind I'm not a pro - I'm just allergic to wasp stings, and am surrounded by some fruit trees.....

Lorian

buyitall wrote: »

If we pay someone to come and spray the entrance, any idea if they will charge twice for the two separate points?

It wont really be effective. They will spray with permethrin (which you can do yourself if you can reach) but the problem is it dries out really quickly this time of year, and in my experience its not then as effective as the powder.

I'd expect any pro to be tackling the issue from inside.

forgotmyname

I read that sugar water with some vinegar added is a good bait for wasps, the vinegar deters bees.