Red Wasps?

[Herbrocks]

I see more of the yellow/black ones than the red, but all the paper wasps like to nest near a water source, esp when it's dry. They can build nests anywhere, so be careful moving patio furnature/tables and such. They can build a nest in just days. I was once attacked by a nest under a playground swing I was on!

My personal thoughts are that they may kill some bees, but they usually want larger, fatter prey to use to hatch/feed their young, so you could say they are beneficial (some larger types also hunt chichadas). They are dangerous and aggressive however, and you don't want them around any heavily traveled areas at the very least.

I would encourage anyone reading to take a walk around their yard, patios and carport and see if you are hosting nests. They are a little calmer in the morn/eve. When spraying them, do not leave a door open, and if they chase you, do not run in the house! They will follow you, and nothing is worse than trying to sleep when you know there is a wasp(s) somewhere in the house...

The foam spays are a little safer as they "lock in" any wasps on the nest when you spray, but you still need to watch your back!

[Steel Man]

Originally Posted by Herbrocks

I see more of the yellow/black ones than the red, but all the paper wasps like to nest near a water source, esp when it's dry. They can build nests anywhere, so be careful moving patio furnature/tables and such. They can build a nest in just days. I was once attacked by a nest under a playground swing I was on!...

Last month I was stung on the hand when I reached under a patio umbrella. Put vinegar on the sting a couple of times and it worked well...not much pain at all.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by mojokitty

Does anyone else in SA have a major red wasp problem? We have hives all over our house and they even built a nest in our air conditioner outside! We are having our pest control come out. Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem, how to get rid of it?

I hope you get rid of them asap. Our neighbor in NM had bees in the walls of their house. I can't remember the cost, but it was unbeleivable what they went through to get rid of them. Apparently they had been there for years.

Nita

[urbanski]

Originally Posted by TXtrkgrl

Have you ever tried to drown them?? I swear they survive under water for a long time!!! I used to get them on my pool (when I had a pool ) and I would hold them down with the net but they would just crawl back around to the surface .

you're right, they never drown. i just dont mess with them anymore.

[johnromero27]

The soapy water thing works for me. I got one of those $5 soakers that look like a long tube that sucks in water and then you push it in to shoot the water out. I just filled a small bucket full of really soapy (dish soap) water and went at it. They die almost instantlly. I also waited until night time, they seemed to be a lot less active.