We’ve put together this video for a quick how-to relocate a wasps nest in a non-lethal way.
Wasps, like their fuzzy relatives the bees, are integral to ecosystems as pollinators. Some wasps are generalists, and others are the sole pollinators of specific plants. Their contribution to agriculture is valued at more than $250 billion as pollinators, but even more than that wasps help to defend crops from pests as well. It's estimated these valiant warriors are worth at least $416 billion annually worldwide as crop protectors. While these benefits are welcome in the garden, their territorial behavior can be troublesome close to home.
Our video today is for an active nest, however there are preventative measures you can take as well. It's easy to build a fake nest with a paper bag, some filling (styrofoam or air pockets from packaging work well), and something to give it some weight at the bottom (e.g. pebbles/gravel). The wasps won't build a home near another nest, if hung outside of your home it may keep away carpenter bees as well.
Source: City Pests
If you can wait it out, yellow jackets all die during winter. The queen of the nest survives by burying herself deep underground. Wasps don't typically reuse the same nest the following year, but they may like the space it was in. April is usually a good time to caulk cracks, close up holes, and/or remove old nests from the previous year.
Need help with organic pest management? Give us a call! We’d love to help.
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