How to Kill Yellow Jackets

There are a number of pests that can create a big headache for you when they invade your home or the surrounding area. Yellowjackets are some of the worst pests you can have due to the fact that they sting and can be dangerous. This is why we are here to tell you how to get rid of them.

About Yellow Jackets

Yellowjackets are stinging insects similar to bees, although they are actually part of the wasp family.  They are about an inch long and have yellow and black stripes. They basically look like overgrown bees.  Much like bees, yellow jackets hang out in groups and can get very aggressive when they feel threatened. They will protect their nest when they feel it is necessary. Yellowjackets will sting when they are provoked. Not only that, they can sting you many times. The effect of a yellowjacket sting depends on the person and their allergic reactions. It can be anywhere from skin irritation or in more severe cases, cause death. This is why getting rid of a yellowjacket near your home is important.  If they don't harm you, it is possible they could harm someone else, and you don't truly want that on your ethics. When going about the extermination of a nest of yellow jackets, it is important to do it safely and carefully. Going at it with a rake or a baseball bat is a very bad idea. We'll talk about some ways you can do this right.

Getting Rid of Yellow Jackets

Yellowjackets nests can appear just about anywhere outdoors. They are about six inches wide and are built on trees, under overhangs or in piles of leaves. It is not uncommon for a nest to be built on or near your house. Yellowjackets like to build nests under gutters or wherever they can hang. If you live in a region that has cold winters, then you can wait until the temperature drops below freezing. This causes colonies to die out. The only one that survives is the queen. After all the others are gone, you can get rid of the nest and kill the queen safely.

Other yellow jacket nests are not always so easy to find. Sometimes you find them on accident when you are mowing the lawn and run over them since nests can be built underground. If you accidentally run over a nest and disturb the inhabitants, I suggest running for your life. The yellow jackets will probably get pretty mad and try to sting you, so run for cover to think of a plan. After you avoid an attack, you need to get rid of the nest. If you don't want to do it yourself, you can hire a Bees and Wasps Control Brisbane specialist that will come out and destroy the nest. If not, you will have to do it yourself. If you choose to tackle this mission on your home, find a friend that is brave enough to help you. Set yourself up with some protective clothing and gloves to prevent stinging. Make sure you don't have any exposed skin for the yellow jackets to sting. Next, get a jar of kerosene, about half a gallon. Then get a shovel with some dirt and something to cover the area of the nest. The best time to destroy a nest is early in the morning or at night when the hive is less active. Pour the kerosene into the opening of the nest, and then cover it with the cloth. Next, shovel dirt on top of it. Now you are done and should get the heck out of there before the yellow jackets realize who did this to them, even though the fumes from the fuel will kill them right away.

Nests that are above ground are a different story. For a nest in a tree or someplace similar, get a powerful pesticide. Put on all the protective clothing and spray the opening of the nest. If you can't reach the opening, then just spray the whole thing until it is soaked. Make sure you follow the directions on the can of pesticide you are using.

Other Ways to Kill Yellow Jackets

Since we've covered a few of the conventional ways to get rid of a yellow jacket nest, now I'll give you some very unconventional ideas. Let me first state that these ways are in no way recommended and you probably should not even try them. These are just some creative and ridiculous ways to get rid of the nest. Don't try these at home.

1. Use a flaming arrow. This is a good (bad) way to take care of a yellow jacket nest. You can also keep a safe distance. If you want, you can douse the nest in lighter fluid first. Then get an arrow with a flammable tip like in the movies. Now you just have to fire away. That next will light up like Christmas. Just make a run for it after you make contact.

Another thing you can do is use a homemade flame thrower using a lighter and an aerosol can. Fire the flame at the nest and run like hell. By the way, this is a very bad idea and is not recommended.

If the nest is in the ground like the example earlier in this article, just grab a hose and stick it in the nest. Turn on the water and watch the whole thing play out. Again, running away is probably a good idea since you are really going to make those yellow jackets made. Chances are they won't all drown in the water.

Well, now you have a couple of good ways to destroy a yellow jacket nest and a few ways that no one should ever try. Whatever you end up doing to rid yourself of these pests, be safe doing it and call in the professionals if you need to.

Read More: - The Life Cycle Yellow Jackets Wasp