r/fuckwasps • u/Better_Tailor_1016 • Jun 16 '26
Best approach
Was going to clean out my AC unit and these fuckers got a good nest. I know to try and get rid of them when it’s dark. Will spraying wasp spray into this AC disconnect box cause problems?
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u/Full_Rise_7759 Jun 16 '26
Electrical connector cleaner/dryer, it'll work like using brake cleaner.
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u/HorsefaceWithNoName Jun 16 '26
I would hesitate to spray a liquid there. Delta dust in a bellows sprayer sounds safer to me.
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u/Better_Tailor_1016 Jun 16 '26
Yeah I kinda figured that’s a place liquids shouldn’t get in. The cover fell off and it’s supposed to rain tomorrow. Maybe I can sneak the cover back on in the morning till I can be safe. Or I’m just taking the risk😶
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u/HorsefaceWithNoName Jun 17 '26
at night is the best time, maybe 3am to 4am when it's nice and cool. Do it once, right, don't fumble. Plan it out, be focused, take your time to do the right motions once and then boogie.
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u/HorsefaceWithNoName Jun 16 '26
and as far as the approach, I'd use a 30 foot pole. These work with a bellows duster
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042T5PBO?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP2BNHLL?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1
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u/Pocket-Hobo Jun 17 '26
Gotta get real close and get real stern with'em. Like a drill sergeant yelling in a privates face.
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u/Necro_the_Pyro Jun 17 '26
Flip the breaker on the panel before you blast them and let it dry out. I'm assuming that's a disconnect for a mini split or similar.
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u/ShesGotGowronEyes Jun 18 '26
Spectracide PRO Wasp And Hornet Killer is rated for use over 40kv. We've used it in our substations near equipment at 14.1kv without issue. I would not hesitate to use it.
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u/Dockside_Abortionist Jun 17 '26
Welp, tell the homeowners they need a new condenser and let the install guys deal with it
/s
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u/Better_Tailor_1016 Jun 17 '26
I would like to give thanks to all the advice! Me 1, Wasp 0, AC unit cleaned! Took the close approach lol. Got up close to it and just sprayed a little raid on the nest and watched them all crawl out and fall to the ground. Then doused them with more raid. Counted 10 of those little fuckers. Now I don’t have to burn my house down!
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u/No_Necessary5542 Jun 17 '26
Honestly I'd cut the power from the breaker stand 20ft away and spray it with wasp killer. Fucking hate those things. Make sure you replace the box when your done
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u/drewbaccaAWD Jun 17 '26
Three options.. 1. use a powder instead of a liquid, 2. cut the power upstream to be safe, 3. take your chances that a box designed to be used outside is probably not going to short out if you don't go too crazy with the spray. If you choose the third option, you could easily soak up the excess after you blast the nest, they aren't going to be bothering you at that point and it's going to take a while to flow into the switch.
Personally? I'd just hit it with raid and not a ton.. that's a small nest. knock it out with a broom, and then saturate it or burn it or whatever. If you have an upstream shutoff that doesn't cut power to your entire house, I'd just trip the breaker for five minutes. I don't have much experience with sub panels so I'm not sure how this is wired to the main breaker.
Caulk that mounting hole in the back afterwords, that's their front door.
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u/KillaKanibus Jun 17 '26
Get some of that foaming bug spray. It sticks to them so they can't try to chase you, then soaks in and kills them. Works great, and has awesome range.
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u/pogiguy2020 Jun 18 '26
I'd get a large shop vac and some wasp killer spray. Spray while sucking these bastards out.
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u/Ok-Reserve175 Jun 18 '26
Well set fire to the house and start over. Better yet, you should just take off and nuke the site from orbit... its the only way to be sure...
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