It’s important not to kill honeybees, who fulfill an important role in the ecosystem without exhibiting overly aggressive toward humans. To put their contribution in perspective: it’s been said that bees are responsible for one in every three bites of food that we eat! Bees will die after a single sting, and are not typically aggressors in their interactions with humans. They’re docile and sting only in an effort to defend and warn their hive. [2] X Research source Wasps, however, can sting an indefinite number of times and will not hesitate to.
You should not, however, open a window or door that sits directly next to a known yellow jacket nest.
Similarly, attempting to spray a single yellow jacket with insecticide of any sort is not recommended. It will make a mess if used indoors, and can be dangerous to anybody in the vicinity. Killing a wasp (or inciting a sting) can also spark extreme aggression from its compatriots. Wasp venom contains an “alarm venom,” which will draw other yellow jackets in and mark you as a target. [5] X Research source
Place food inside a sealable jar, or a soda bottle with a screwable cap. Once the yellow jacket has landed, seal the wasp away and dispose of the bottle (or release it once you’re in an appropriate environment).
Mesh can be place atop the bucket if there’s concern over other animals eating your protein.
Wasp stings can be life-threatening, depending on the severity of a person’s allergy. The stings can trigger anaphylactic shock within minutes, leading to swelling, fainting, and difficulty breathing.
If the whereabouts of the nest are still unknown to you, it might be necessary to lure a yellow jacket in with a sweet treat, then follow its flight path back to the nest. Yellow jackets move fairly directly when entering and exiting their nest, and do not swoop or turn. [8] X Research source Any bit of meat, jelly, tuna, wet cat food, or soda can serve as effective bait.
Nests are generally begun by a single female in the Spring, and grow throughout the year before dying. In hotter climates with fewer freezes, e. g. southern U. S. States, nests can survive from year to year and grow to be extremely large and populous. [9] X Research source This, however, is fairly rare. If the nest appears to be large and spiral-shaped, you may actually be dealing with hornets. If it resembles an off-white honeycomb, the nest might belong to paper wasps, less aggressive cousins to yellow jackets.
Yellow jackets are also much more active during the day. Although you’ll have less visibility, dealing with the nest at night will mean fewer active wasps for you to rumble with. If you don’t live in an area that remains hot year-round, the nest will likely die in the winter. If it’s already late fall, you might be better served by waiting the yellow jackets out—they’re at their most aggressive in fall.
Yellow jackets, though they can become a nuisance to humans, are still fulfilling an import role in nature. They pollinate flowers and predate flies, caterpillars, spiders, and flora-destroying pests. [11] X Research source Because of this, it’s a good idea to avoid bright colors, which can be mistaken for flowers. Cover flashlights with red cellophane, or use red bulbs. Yellow jackets can’t see in red light, and so won’t be alerted by your flashlight if you’re approaching at night (as you should be). [12] X Research source If you don’t have cellophane, aim your flashlight away from the nest on your nighttime approach.
Aerosols are often designed to spray up to twenty feet. Use this to your advantage, and spray aerial nests from the ground if able. Ladders will significantly decrease your mobility, and can prove dangerous if attacked by the wasps while climbing. If the nest is in the ground, cover the nest with soil or dirt immediately after spraying or dusting it. For exterior nests, spray the aerosol directly into the nest according to package directions. Dust is best administered via a turkey baster. Spraying the nest with hot, soapy water is also an option, thought not nearly as fast-acting. Thoroughly mix a third of a cup of detergent into half a gallon of water, then apply to the nest through a spray bottle. You’ll need to spray the nest several times a day, for several days. Have your path back to safety (preferably back inside a house) planned out in advance. After you begin to spray, you should expect to have 10-15 seconds maximum to make your way back inside.
If—for whatever reason—you’d prefer to keep the nest in its place, that’s also okay. It’s extremely rare for yellow jackets to re-use old nests. [14] X Research source Some like to hold onto wasp nests, captivated by their intricate, natural aesthetic. While yellow jacket nests aren’t as exotic as some, feel free to display the nest. Potential eggs cannot hatch and survive without feeding and care, so if the nest has been inert for the recommended week you’re in the clear. [15] X Research source
