Saving the lives of bugs - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

jewels · 09-03-2008, 04:49 AM

Okay. I'm ready to change my evil ways.

My covered patio appears to be the party spot of large winged insects. When I moved here back in June, I sprayed wasp and hornet nest stuff to shut down any further procreation. It worked. For a while.

The past two weeks has seen a resurgence of different types of nests. I sprayed them over a week ago, but it appears they're building new ones in less than a day adjacent to their original homes.

These are shot from fairly far away with my phone, but I'm not sure if you can make out the type of bug in this one. The one on the left is a new nest, the one towards the right is an older one.

Here's a closer shot of another. I have about half a dozen of these inside my patio roof.

My question is this: How can I keep whatever lives and builds these from getting in the house and freaking me out without using nasty insecticides that apparently don't do the trick longterm? I'm hoping there's something I can do that will make them want to relocate to someone else's house.

Besides, I'm tired of living the life of a serial bug killer life and am seeking alternatives.

shakran · 09-03-2008, 08:11 AM

try spraying PAM (the cooking spray) on the affected area (assuming it's a material that won't stain if you put oil on it). Wasps hate the stuff and will avoid it.

vanblah · 09-03-2008, 08:37 AM

These are mud daubers: Mud Dauber - DirtDoctor.com - Howard Garrett - The Dirt Doctor

They are wasps and they DO sting if they feel threatened. The key word here: threatened. They are rarely aggressive.

Nice thing about them: They eat spiders.

jewels · 09-03-2008, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakran

try spraying PAM (the cooking spray) on the affected area (assuming it's a material that won't stain if you put oil on it). Wasps hate the stuff and will avoid it.

It's stucco, so I think I'll definitely give that a whirl. I wonder if they like the regular or olive oil version?

I'll try it tonight and let you know how it works.
-----Added 3/9/2008 at 12 : 43 : 29-----

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanblah

These are mud daubers: Mud Dauber - DirtDoctor.com - Howard Garrett - The Dirt Doctor

Thanks for the info.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanblah

They are wasps and they DO sting if they feel threatened. The key word here: threatened. They are rarely aggressive.

This is why I'm always careful to take action in the evening when they're inside the nest. I've heard they will get upset if their nest is tampered with.

dlish · 09-03-2008, 06:16 PM

vanblah is right. they are wasps.

if you need to get rid of em jewels, try a water hose. my parents place has them back in oz and thats how i get rid of them. they always seem to come back after a while though.

you could try hairspray though

im sure that'd work!

if you are sick of your murderous ways..repent and become a buddhist monk

09-03-2008, 04:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
jewels Eponymous Location: Central Central Florida	Saving the lives of bugs Okay. I'm ready to change my evil ways. My covered patio appears to be the party spot of large winged insects. When I moved here back in June, I sprayed wasp and hornet nest stuff to shut down any further procreation. It worked. For a while. The past two weeks has seen a resurgence of different types of nests. I sprayed them over a week ago, but it appears they're building new ones in less than a day adjacent to their original homes. These are shot from fairly far away with my phone, but I'm not sure if you can make out the type of bug in this one. The one on the left is a new nest, the one towards the right is an older one. Here's a closer shot of another. I have about half a dozen of these inside my patio roof. My question is this: How can I keep whatever lives and builds these from getting in the house and freaking me out without using nasty insecticides that apparently don't do the trick longterm? I'm hoping there's something I can do that will make them want to relocate to someone else's house. Besides, I'm tired of living the life of a serial bug killer life and am seeking alternatives. __________________ We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess. Mark Twain Last edited by jewels; 09-03-2008 at 04:51 AM..

09-03-2008, 06:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
dlish Currently sour but formerly Dlishs Super Moderator Location: Australia/UAE	vanblah is right. they are wasps. if you need to get rid of em jewels, try a water hose. my parents place has them back in oz and thats how i get rid of them. they always seem to come back after a while though. you could try hairspray though im sure that'd work! if you are sick of your murderous ways..repent and become a buddhist monk __________________ An injustice anywhere, is an injustice everywhere I always sign my facebook comments with ()()===========(}. Does that make me gay? - Filthy

09-03-2008, 08:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	try spraying PAM (the cooking spray) on the affected area (assuming it's a material that won't stain if you put oil on it). Wasps hate the stuff and will avoid it.

09-03-2008, 08:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
vanblah Junkie	These are mud daubers: Mud Dauber - DirtDoctor.com - Howard Garrett - The Dirt Doctor They are wasps and they DO sting if they feel threatened. The key word here: threatened. They are rarely aggressive. Nice thing about them: They eat spiders.