Wasp nest killer powders

shiraz99

Has anyone had much experience using these powders to kill off wasp nests hidden under roof tiles?

I noticed new wasp activity under my kitchen roof last weekend so bought some Zero In Wasp Nest Killer powder, which was a feat in itself as there seems to be a shortage, and following three applications since Monday it doesn't seem to have had much effect. The wasps are still coming and going like Victoria coach station on a busy weekend. Is the stuff I'm using any good or is best to look for an alternative. I did buy this stuff off the clearance counter of my local garden centre so it could be a bit old but it was fully sealed.

The alternative I've been looking at is the Insecto Pro wasp powder as that has a different active ingredient but finding it nigh on impossible to get hold of currently.

Section62

shiraz99 said:

Has anyone had much experience using these powders to kill off wasp nests hidden under roof tiles?

I noticed new wasp activity under my kitchen roof last weekend so bought some Zero In Wasp Nest Killer powder, which was a feat in itself as there seems to be a shortage, and following three applications since Monday it doesn't seem to have had much effect. The wasps are still coming and going like Victoria coach station on a busy weekend. Is the stuff I'm using any good or is best to look for an alternative. I did buy this stuff off the clearance counter of my local garden centre so it could be a bit old but it was fully sealed.

The alternative I've been looking at is the Insecto Pro wasp powder as that has a different active ingredient but finding it nigh on impossible to get hold of currently.

If it is like this one -

https://www.diy.com/departments/zero-in-wasp-nest-killer-300g/1453208_BQ.prd

- then it says it has Permethrin in it, which should be effective against wasps and AFAIK has a long shelf life.

Not a recommendation - but if I could get near enough to the nest for using a puffer pack then personally I'd probably use an aerosol-type wasp killer (e.g. 'Raid') squirted in to the holes where the wasps are coming from/going to.  I've done this to three nests in the last week - my logic is the aerosol is more likely to permeate into the nest than just puffing some poweder in. (but I could be wrong).

Obviously this can be quite a dangerous thing to do - so I wait until late evening (say 10pm currently) when the wasps are back to the nest and not flying before spraying, and also not attempting it where a ladder would be needed for access (I'd want to be on the ground and ready to run if need be).

On each of the three nests there have been a few wasps around the next day, but those have gone after a further treatment on the second evening.

km1500

Probably the first question you should ask yourself (and you may already have done this) is can you just leave it because wasps do not return to the same nest twice and once summer is over they will all be gone

This is assuming they are an ordinary standard paper wasp not something aggressive like a yellow jacket

FreeBear

A wasp nest, if left alone, will be abandoned come the winter. If the wasps are not causing a problem, just leave it alone.

Alternatively, spray the entrance/exit hole with a general purpose insect killer. If you saturate the area, the wasps will carry some of the insecticide in to the nest. You'll probably need several applications.

twopenny

It can take some time for them to die out.
They leave the nest end July, August.
Can you then block where they are getting in?

July and August is when they cease feeding grubs. They then go looking for sugary food and can get drunk on ripe fruit which is when they are a problem.

shiraz99

Section62 said:

shiraz99 said:

Has anyone had much experience using these powders to kill off wasp nests hidden under roof tiles?

I noticed new wasp activity under my kitchen roof last weekend so bought some Zero In Wasp Nest Killer powder, which was a feat in itself as there seems to be a shortage, and following three applications since Monday it doesn't seem to have had much effect. The wasps are still coming and going like Victoria coach station on a busy weekend. Is the stuff I'm using any good or is best to look for an alternative. I did buy this stuff off the clearance counter of my local garden centre so it could be a bit old but it was fully sealed.

The alternative I've been looking at is the Insecto Pro wasp powder as that has a different active ingredient but finding it nigh on impossible to get hold of currently.

If it is like this one -

https://www.diy.com/departments/zero-in-wasp-nest-killer-300g/1453208_BQ.prd

- then it says it has Permethrin in it, which should be effective against wasps and AFAIK has a long shelf life.

Not a recommendation - but if I could get near enough to the nest for using a puffer pack then personally I'd probably use an aerosol-type wasp killer (e.g. 'Raid') squirted in to the holes where the wasps are coming from/going to.  I've done this to three nests in the last week - my logic is the aerosol is more likely to permeate into the nest than just puffing some poweder in. (but I could be wrong).

Obviously this can be quite a dangerous thing to do - so I wait until late evening (say 10pm currently) when the wasps are back to the nest and not flying before spraying, and also not attempting it where a ladder would be needed for access (I'd want to be on the ground and ready to run if need be).

On each of the three nests there have been a few wasps around the next day, but those have gone after a further treatment on the second evening.

Yes, that's the stuff. It doesn't seem to bother the wasps, they just traipse all over it on their way in and out. As mentioned, I've ordered some other stuff that contains Azamethiphos which works slightly different. There's no way of knowing exactly where the nest is so I need something that they'll take in with them.

shiraz99

km1500 said:

Probably the first question you should ask yourself (and you may already have done this) is can you just leave it because wasps do not return to the same nest twice and once summer is over they will all be gone

This is assuming they are an ordinary standard paper wasp not something aggressive like a yellow jacket

The nest is not far above head height and right at the back where my patio is so preventing anyone from sitting out in the garden without getting hassled by a load of wasps, plus I don't want them attacking the many bees I have in the garden at the moment, otherwise I would normally have left them alone.

sheramber

km1500 said:

Probably the first question you should ask yourself (and you may already have done this) is can you just leave it because wasps do not return to the same nest twice and once summer is over they will all be gone

This is assuming they are an ordinary standard paper wasp not something aggressive like a yellow jacket

That may not return to the same nest but they can return to the same place.

When we had  a pest controller in to deal with a wasp nest in the eaves he found an old one there as well 

Albermarle

You can buy a wasp spray that produces a foam.
Buy Zero In Ultra Power Wasp Nest Killer Foam Jet - 600ml | Pest control | Argos

You can try and spray the foam where they are going in and out.

I had a nest in the ground and I have to say the foam was not that effective in that scenario, but the powder was.