How to deal with Wasps/Hornets suddenly inside home during this early heat spell? (condo, house)

[newbie09]

Suddenly today 3 wasps/hornets (don't know the difference between these 2 insects) got inside inside our rented 3rd floor condo. Also, there's quite a few flying around on the terrace (where we sit a lot), flying against the windowscreens & screens at the terrace doors. (We're surrounded by tall trees & facing a wooded area.) Maybe it's the unusual heat today? -- about 85 outside right now, very hot for April 2nd, might get even hotter the next few hours. Don't remember insects like this showing up this early last year, wondering if there might be a new wasp/hornet nest nearby.

Last year (later in summer), we kept spraying insect spray on the terrace to kill them but I hate the smell of it. Any other suggestions? How about hair spray? Would be a lot cheaper, smell better (depending on the brand/fragrance), not be so toxic-- but would it kill them? I figure the stickiness would affect their ability to fly! Anyone else use this solution for invading wasps/hornets? Other methods?

[Nativechief]

Best open the door and let them fly out

[newbie09]

Opening the door would allow more wasps/hornets to get INTO the house.

Also, we'd like to sit out on the terrace (large, covered, but not screened) without having wasps/hornets flying around at us. What to do out there? What methods work best? How about my idea of using hairspray to kill them-- would this work?

[wdavid002]

Originally Posted by newbie09

Opening the door would allow more wasps/hornets to get INTO the house.

Also, we'd like to sit out on the terrace (large, covered, but not screened) without having wasps/hornets flying around at us. What to do out there? What methods work best? How about my idea of using hairspray to kill them-- would this work?

Well..at least they would look presentable when you swat them with a book

[southbound_295]

If they're mud daubers, leave them alone & they'll leave you alone.

[newbie09]

What are "mud daubers"? Never heard of them.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by newbie09

What are "mud daubers"? Never heard of them.

Search the forum for mud dauber, but this will start you off.

Mud daubers

[Tober138]

We had one in the house today. Mrs. Tober had to go after it...if I get stung I make like Macauley Culkin in "My Girl"

[Nativechief]

Why not shut the door and set off a couple of "bug bombs".

[Catrick]

I've had them in the garage. That's where we park and go into the house. Thank God there's a buffer with them. I either open the door hoping they go back out and no more come in or get my broom and swatter.

I would try the hairspray. It might not kill them but it will slow them down so you can get them. I've done that with a few spiders and it stops them making them easier to kill. And less poisonous than the bug sprays.

We gave up sitting on our patio in the summer because of the wasps/hornets and mosquitos. A citronella candle helps with the skeeters and gnats but not the wasps.

Good luck. I hate this time of year bugwise.