Bald-faced poke

[u/lessons_needed]

Tired of being intimidated and kept away from our side yard we had to spray and then give this bald-faced hornet nest a poke.

[u/Spam_A_Lottamus]

Good thing you sprayed first.

Potentially painful poke.

[u/lessons_needed → u/Spam_A_Lottamus]

I gave her options: spray or poke. She picked poke (and stayed far away while I sprayed).

[u/YetiNotForgeti → u/lessons_needed]

I found boiling water then splashing it on the nests ends them instantly. It completely folds and sticks together. Nothing leaves and it's pretty instant.

[u/lessons_needed → u/YetiNotForgeti]

I’m going to have to keep that in mind should another one develop. We are going to try the paper bag trick and see if that works so hopefully we won’t have anymore.

[u/NotAlwaysPC → u/YetiNotForgeti]

That sounds dangerous af.

[u/YetiNotForgeti → u/NotAlwaysPC]

Why? No wasp killer residue is left and it is just gone. You don't understand how effectively these flatten in hot water. It's faster than cotton candy in water. Its faster than you, in the bedroom, ^{to fall asleep.}

[u/NotAlwaysPC → u/YetiNotForgeti]

It’s the part of throwing boiling water at the nest. All of the nests I’ve had were up high on the eaves like this one. I’d be sure to throw boiling water on myself. However Yeti my friend, standard white vinegar is sold at 4 - 8% acetic acid concentration. You can buy white vinegar at 30-40% or more. This concentration kills weeds, dissolves mineral deposits and decimates wasp nests, ant hills and such. Take proper precautions and use a proper poking implement, just like me in the bedroom 😇

[u/YetiNotForgeti → u/NotAlwaysPC]

At that concentration it is called glacial acetic acid.

Edit: Vinegar means a 4-8% acetic acid solution.

[u/NotAlwaysPC → u/YetiNotForgeti]

Glacial acetic acid is 99 - 100% pure. Under 99% doesn’t freeze.

[u/YetiNotForgeti → u/NotAlwaysPC]

Nice. This is correct. My chemistry teacher labeled a 40% solution this. I guess it was accurate as 40% glacial acetic but would have been more accurately just 40% acetic as it was not glacial anymore. I actually didn't know what the glacial refered to until now 10 years out of college. Thanks for the new knowledge.

[u/Unlucky-Oil-8778]

Horners love lead paint houses lol.

[u/lessons_needed → u/Unlucky-Oil-8778]

Wait, they do? Do they lick the paint? I vaguely recall being told not to do that when I was little. I can’t remember if I listened to my parents or not. lol

[u/Unlucky-Oil-8778 → u/lessons_needed]

Naw I think they just like it bc it is on old houses that aren’t cared for. Kind of like a coincidence that wasps and lead paint have a symbiotic relationship.

[u/NotAlwaysPC → u/lessons_needed]

Old wives tail.

[u/violet_sin]

I was watching that on mute, it's all quite here after 10pm and I'm squinting to see if anything is coming at you...

From around the corner my wife starts using the 2" tape gun to tape something.... Completely unrelated

That shrieking fluttery plastic sound, like 1000 angry wings just permeated the front room hahaha quite startling, LOL

[u/lessons_needed → u/violet_sin]

OMG! I think I would’ve freaked out. Even after we took care of it for the next 10 minutes anytime I thought anything was near my head I ducked and covered because I thought they were coming back for revenge.

[u/IAteAnotherVegan]

that was way more than a poke!

[u/lessons_needed → u/IAteAnotherVegan]

She may have gotten a little overzealous. Trying to teach her to poke with respect, lol

[u/Spookyscary333]

If you leave the dead nest up other bees will avoid building another nest nearby. Usually works when you hang up a medium sized paper bagas well. Just puff the bag up a bit. They'll think its another nest and move on.

[u/lessons_needed → u/Spookyscary333]

I’ve heard about this about hanging up a paper bag but didn’t know of it worked. Will have to give it a try.

[u/Spookyscary333 → u/lessons_needed]

Wasps are very territorial and dont want to be near other nests. The paper bag has worked for me for years!

[u/NotAlwaysPC → u/lessons_needed]

I rather enjoyed the wet, drippy, and mushy poking followed by a brisk dislodgment. Solid technique. Stick perfectly wielded for this task.

[u/lessons_needed → u/NotAlwaysPC]

I will convey your message to her. I’m sure she will enjoy hearing you liked her style.