Wasps and Wasp Nests
- Thread starter spierceisu
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Get some C4 and blow that sh*t straight back to hell.
Declining numbers and they are great pollinators.
I'm no expert, but those look like honey bees that have swarmed (would make sense given the heat wave this week). Basically there were too many bees in their old hive/colony so a group split off. My understanding is they should be fairly timid at this point as they search for a new hive - provided the new hive isn't in your house/neighbors I'd guess they'll clear out within 24-hours at most.
I know you said you are no expert; however, any knowledge/thought/opinion on how far away the original hive might be?
Curious to how far they traveled and the likelihood the native colony is close by.
TIA
Based on my past experiences with swarms like the picture...
The bees are most likely there because that's where the queen is. They either lost where their hive was or are searching for a new one. If your neighbor can find someone that keeps bees they could bring a bee box, dig the queen out and put her in the box. The swarm would then go into the box.
Or just blow up the back yard with C4 like someone suggested.
Update:
He cut the branch down and drug it away.
Dang things just regrouped on another branch! If they are there Monday; he’s calling an exterminator.
He cut the branch down and drug it away.
Dang things just regrouped on another branch! If they are there Monday; he’s calling an exterminator.
The hive I had swarm on me in 2021 went all of about 30' before they grouped up like in your photo. But it is really hard to know where they came from originally. Normally you see the bees 'tornado' shortly before they swarm, that's your best opportunity to learn where the hive exists IMO.
Simple and cheap: mix some Dawn with water and add some drops of peppermint essential oil. Put it in a sprayer/pump sprayer and coat the area. The Dawn helps it stick while the peppermint oil helps keep them away.
You can find the recipe with how much to add for each ingredient with a quick Google. The stuff also can help keep pests off your garden plants, etc.
Also, Dawn with water will kill wasps in and outside the nest if you spray them directly. The surfactants break down some kind of barrier on their body and they suffocate. It's much less toxic than wasp spray in a can which is nasty to breathe or get on your skin.
Good pollinators. Declining population.
If they are honeybees, I believe someone will come and get them for free to give them a new home. If they are wasps or something similar, I say call the exterminator.
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Probably looking for Ames Lager and heard it was the next town over.
If those are honeybees they have split off from their hive. A beekeeper can smoke them and relocate them to empty hives. Thus growing their number of hives and helping increase the pollinator numbers
