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Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 12:23 pm
by GORDON
They look smaller. I think some new eggs hatched.
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 12:32 pm
by Paul
I think you need to rig a can of hornet spray to the end of a pole. Then arrange a way for it to spray up into the hole. I have no idea how to accomplish that though.
Or maybe re-use your fogger rig, but elevate the can so that it sprays directly up into the hive.
The problem with the fogger is that they're designed to dissipate. That way your house isn't toxic when you let go in the living room. Any larve are probably going to be safe because when they emerge, the poison will be gone.
The cans (not the foaming stuff, the other hornet spray) kill for weeks I think. So the poison lingers, killing babies as they emerge.
Poison the nest, and keep it poisoned for future generations.
If I were you I'd also set up some sort of decoy. That is, put a flashlight and black blanket (maybe with eyes) off in the middle of the crawlspace, so while you're actively spraying the nest they have a more obvious target that you to go after.
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 12:47 pm
by GORDON
I think I'll do another fogger or two, as I now have a safe system figured out. That seems to knock them out for a few days at a time while new larvae are maturing. Through the Fall the hornet replenishment engine should get weaker and weaker as there are fewer mature hornets adding energy to the system, and a continuous source of new hornets taking energy out of the system. Kind of like Social Security, in reverse.
Then this winter I'll go in there and cut the nest out and hope the crawlspace temp is below freezing and the bugs are inactive. Being connected to the bottom of my bedroom floor, I have a feeling there will be some residual heat in the nest. I'll prolly get stung in a 35F degree crawlspace.
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 12:49 pm
by Malcolm
GORDON wrote:I'll prolly get stung in a 35F degree crawlspace.
Blast the nest w\ a CO2 fire extinguisher. That should chill the fuckers out.
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:22 am
by TPRJones
During the next down phase, I'd install a rubber tube leading up to point into the nest allowing for future fogger application into the hole from a longer distance.
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:23 am
by GORDON
I'm contemplating the beating of it with a stick. See if I can dislodge it remotely, and foam the shit out of all the exposed innards.
But I have no idea how well it is affixed up in there.
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:41 am
by Mommy Dearest
Was watching a bee removal on discover channel the other day and the guys used nothing but soapy water to kill them. Said it kills just as fast as pesticides. Worth some research.
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:07 pm
by Paul
You need a little robot with a little sword to hack at it.
That would be teh awesome!
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:24 pm
by GORDON
Heading down now to confront the insurgency.
Hopefully these young hornets aren't inherently more aggressive.
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:54 pm
by GORDON
I didn't see a single hornet outside the nest, though with the traffic I've seen coming and going, I'd estimate there's at least 100 young hornets living in it. And I'm probably way low in my estimate... traffic is damned near pre-combat levels. They just look very small.
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:49 pm
by Paul
Ooh! Ooh!
BOTTLE ROCKET!
Position it right at the base of the hole and asplode the hive from the inside!
It's totally doable! Use a piece of 3/4" PVC tubing to aim it right up the hole. Use a cigarette or something else to delay the fuse.
Light... aim.... Awesome!
Edited By Paul on 1190685114
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:03 pm
by GORDON
Hmmm.
Explosive ordnance.
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:01 pm
by Malcolm
GORDON wrote:Hmmm.
Explosive ordnance.
You know, you could get some of those obscenely powerful firecrackers that're measured by their explosive force proportional to sticks of dynamite. It'd blow the fuck out of the nest, but I can't imagine it denting much of anything else as long as you don't, like, "I Love Lucy" overdo it.
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 12:11 am
by Leisher
I didn't see a single hornet outside the nest, though with the traffic I've seen coming and going, I'd estimate there's at least 100 young hornets living in it.
Maybe there's a second nest?
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 12:15 am
by GORDON
Leisher wrote:I didn't see a single hornet outside the nest, though with the traffic I've seen coming and going, I'd estimate there's at least 100 young hornets living in it.
Maybe there's a second nest?
That actually occured to me... and I had a moment of "OH FUCK" as I checked all around the crawlspace entrance into which I was poking my face.
I didn't examine ever corner of the space... I will if the traffic still looks heavy tomorrow. I fogged it up again tonight.
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:37 am
by Paul
What about building something like this?
Yank on the green string, and the spike is shoved up into the nest.
The same sort of thing can work with a bottle rocket. I'd even attach the rocket to the spike as I think you'd get more penetration. Or better yet, just strap one of Malcolm's firecrackers to the spike.
I'd also set up a scarecrow of some sort. Maybe a stuffed animal. That way the wasps have something to attack.
Edited By Paul on 1190727495
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:50 am
by GORDON
10AM, 60 second observation period, 8 insects seen coming and going. Approximate 75% decrease from peak traffic, yesterday.
Contemplating my next move. Have 2 more foggers, and new cans of wasp spray and foam.
Edited By GORDON on 1190728242
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 10:53 am
by Mommy Dearest
GORDON wrote:10AM, 60 second observation period, 8 insects seen coming and going. Approximate 75% decrease from peak traffic, yesterday.
Contemplating my next move. Have 2 more foggers, and new cans of wasp spray and foam.
And how much are you paying your pest control peeps?
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 10:55 am
by GORDON
At this point I don't even want those idiots causing a swarm in my basement.
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 12:28 pm
by Paul
Mommy Dearest wrote:And how much are you paying your pest control peeps?
You're talking like a woman!