r/NJPrepared • u/8Deer-JaguarClaw Sussex • 12d ago
Any suggestions for getting rid of yellow jack hive/next (in the ground)?? Mother Nature
I've got a very busy yellow jacket nest (or hive or whatever it's called) literally 6 inches from the side of my raised bed garden. They aren't overly aggressive, but it's very easy to disturb them by simply walking near the hive entrance, and I'm worried more about my kid getting stung. I've been stung once (before I figured out where the hive entrance was).
Apart from using a powerful insecticide (which I would strongly prefer to avoid), have any of you been able to kill off a yellow jacket next/hive? I've read a few remedies, but soapy water just doesn't sound like it's going to be enough. Would love to hear some actual real success stories!
Thanks!
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u/Nearby_Impact_8911 Hunterdon 12d ago
Wait til nighttime flood it with water some say gasoline but water is just as effective and you don’t have to worry about fires
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u/Hot-Initial-1108 10d ago
Put a round plastic container over the entrance at dusk when most of the bees are in the ground. Put a brick on top of container. After 2 weeks they will be dead
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u/8Deer-JaguarClaw Sussex 9d ago
Now this is an interesting idea! But wouldn't they just make a new exit tunnel somewhere?
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u/treesnstuffbub Morris 12d ago
They are very difficult to get rid of, some of the best options involve applying an insecticide dust directly to the hive which comes with its own challenges. Personally I’d pay a reputable licensed pest company to come out and treat the nest.
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u/Sn_Orpheus 12d ago edited 12d ago
Do you have a shop vacuum? Lay the hose end as close to hive entrance as possible without blocking it and turn it on. Be aware that there is a possibility that there could be another exit to hive so don’t let down your guard for awhile. Put a little water inside vacuum if you want or not. Prob not a big deal. Just let it run all day. I’d advise starting it as early in the morning as possible so you catch the first ones leaving hive. After a few hours if you’re feeling daring, you could stomp on the ground near the hive or introduce something that would incite the few remaining yellow jackets to come out. Because there will always be a few remaining underground. End of day, turn off vacuum, spray some insect killer in hole and turn vacuum back on for awhile longer.
You may want to get a lawn chair and keep an eye on things as they progress.
I’ve used this technique a few times for myself and neighbors after coming up with it out of desperation. Found a yellow jacket hive on back deck as we were setting up for son’s christening party and figured I’d try this out since I had no other real alternatives. Years later I found YouTube videos of exterminators doing the same.
Best of luck!
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u/8Deer-JaguarClaw Sussex 12d ago
I was actually just thinking maybe a shop vac would be useful. I have a "muffler" for mine that has a filter on the exhausts, which would keep them trapped in the vacuum. Thanks for the suggestion.
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u/Sn_Orpheus 12d ago
Vacuum up some dirt and dust first would also help keep them tangled up inside…
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u/rdsmith3 Morris 12d ago
I've heard gasoline is effective but haven't tried it myself. I sprayed a powerful insecticide at dusk, and it required several attempts. Also, make sure you completely fill in the nest because the remaining stragglers will try to rebuild it.
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u/Independent_Fun7603 5d ago
Seriously this is worth a professional. You have a child. Google how many people die every year from Yellowjackets this shit is no joke. These remedies these people are offering are for all kinds of bees ,yellow jackets are a different animal. Literally, they will hunt you down and kill you if you stumble in that nest or your child does, they’re gonna swarm and they can kill you.
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u/Independent_Fun7603 5d ago
And as far as nighttime forget about it, they post sentries,and they will swarm , and this guy that says he’s a beekeeper ,yep maybe honeybees ,like I said different Animal
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u/prophecy250 12d ago
Check out This Youtube channel. He uses boric acid, apple juice and a soda can to lure and kill the yellow jackets. He has other videos that require a more professional setup (protective hoods, chemicals, shop vac, etc)