It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 10:42 am

All times are UTC - 6 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Stealthy Yellow Jackets!
PostPosted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 10:34 am 
Offline

Joined: Fri Nov 12, 2010 10:15 am
Posts: 46
Location: Grapevine, TX
I have a large flower bed on one side of our property that I have neglected for a couple of years. During this time, yellow jackets have moved in and made themselves at home. I need to clear out the flower bed (it has become overgrown with weeds/vines) without becoming a casualty of a yellow jacket attack!

This bed is about 30' long x 4' deep. I can't see a nest anywhere in the bushes/weeds. Since I don't own a beekeper outfit, I can't get too close to the flowerbed without getting attacked (mowing within 6' of the flower bed has become impossible, or at least very painful!).

I would like to use an organic solution for this mission since I plan to convert the flower bed into a small garden plot and plant some peppers/tomatoes/cucumbers in the patch.

Does anyone have a solution for a drench that could nuke the yellowjackets? Something that I could apply with a hose-end sprayer? I saw a post here that indicated orange oil was effective, but that was a targeted application against a visible nest. Since Orange oil is fairly expensive, I would like to know what concentration I should use to drench the flowerbed and achieve victory, or, if there is an alternative, what that is.

Thanks in advance for any help!

_________________
-Leon


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 3:20 pm 
Offline
Moderator
Moderator
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2003 8:09 pm
Posts: 1917
Location: Fort Worth,TEXAS
Have you read the library entry on hornets?

Can you observe the bed from a safe distance to determine where they seem to be going as they head INTO the garden to narrow down the nest entrance? Do you recall having any trees or large woody shrubs in this bed at one time that could now be providing the rotten wood in the ground that they favor?

_________________
Northwesterner


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 5:00 pm 
Offline

Joined: Fri Nov 12, 2010 10:15 am
Posts: 46
Location: Grapevine, TX
Non of the above, Northwesterner!

I have seen the yellowjackets only when I have ventured too close to the flowerbed and upset them. They have come from various parts of the bed, never more than 1 or 2 at a time. To my knowledge, there is no rotting wood in the bed.

I really want to clearcut the bed and prepare it for some garden plants, but it's not worth the pain.

_________________
-Leon


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 5:15 pm 
Offline
Moderator
Moderator
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2003 8:09 pm
Posts: 1917
Location: Fort Worth,TEXAS
Perhaps it's time for a flamethrower? :wink:

_________________
Northwesterner


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 6 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by eWeblife