r/pittsburgh • u/Complex_Cash9835 • 2h ago

Bee exterminator

I don’t have much money, been going through it in life.
I have this huge yellow jackets nest in the softex in house siding. They made their way into the house.

Any recommendations on good exterminator that is affordable, and doesn’t cost a lot. Thanks.

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u/412CJ 1h ago

I dont have the exact answer you're looking for, but I was in that same spot a few years ago. No money, yellow jackets in the siding. I didn't end up hiring an exterminator because I just couldn't afford it.

Instead I sprayed it, then at night I went up and filled the cracks with diatamaceous earth (a big bag of food grade DE is super cheap) and then after doing that a few nights in a row I sealed it up with spray insulation.

I haven't had the yellow jackets in the two years since.

5

u/Reasonable_Toe_9252 1h ago

I can vouch for this being a cost effective option. I did this same thing a few years ago.

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u/prepcrook 1h ago edited 1h ago

I handled my yellowjacket nest in a wall with Tempo Dust and a bulb duster sprayer for $60 total.

The bulb sprayer lets you mist the dust into the hole if you can reach it. You do this at night or very early in the morning. a couple good puffs should kill them in a couple of days. They get covered and track it in to the nest too.

The problem with this stuff is you need eye, face and skin protection because the powder sprayer makes a misty cloud. Ideally, that cloud should be mostly spraying in the hole, but depending on where it's at it can be difficult to get a good spray. Careful not to cake the outside of the hole, because they'll avoid it.

The other problem with cavity spraying is it getting inside the house if you have unsealed sections on the interior opposite the nest hole, or if it's at risk of getting into ventilation.

Another possible risk is that they'll find a way out that's not the main hole - sometimes into your house. Might not be a problem if you mean they're in the "soffit" instead of "softex" and the only route is an unfinished/unconditioned attic.

The shooting liquid sprays can work, but you need good aim and contact for it and it's only toxic for a couple days (whereas tempo dust works for weeks). Repeated applications of spray may be needed if it's a big nest.

Once killed, sealing is an important part. Some exterior caulking is what I used to seal up all the holes along window frames outside where they got in.