European Hornet Extraction need advise

[nc checkers]

Anyone have ideas of the easiest way to get rid of hornets under a well/pump cover? Cement block with cover (takes 2 men to lift off) Fiberglass insulation layed around water tank and pipes. Seems to be steady traffic in and out cracks in mortor joints and some on the opposite side. I can handle honeybee removal but I'm thinking these could get mean. I guess I'll just use viel and gloves and double up with pants and a jacket, 2 layers all over.

[nc checkers]

Well what I really wanted to know is could I kill them without getting to the nest? If I sprinkle sevin dust around the entrances would they carry that in and use it as pollen and kill the colony?

[peggjam]

Any way you could seal the holes they are using? If they can't get out for food/water, they should die off...in time.

[nc checkers]

no this has way too many cracks. Much of the mortor between the blocks has fallen out and the top doesnt fit real tight

[randydrivesabus]

can you cover the top with a piece of plastic?

is this just an access cover for the pump or is there drinking water stored in it? i dont think its a good idea to put poison in a well.

[iddee]

Cover the whole thing with a large tarp or plastic and set off an insect bomb under it. Lay boards all around the perimeter to keep it in.

[Kieck]

Find the main hole(s) they're using for access. Soak some cotton wool or paper toweling in Sevin, and stick it into the openings, not enough to seal the openings, but enough that the hornets have to push past it to get in and out. The activity will carry the insecticide into the nest, and should get rid of them within a few days.

[brent.roberts]

we have got rid of numerous hornet and yellowjacket nests with a shop vac ... and sometimes a portable generaotr. get the nozzle about 1 - 2" from the exit they are using and do not block the flight path.

You will need to adjust the position a bit to catch those coming and going. In about 45 minutes you will have 90 percent of the foragers in the vac. Then thump the ground near the entrance a few times to arouse those in side. Ten minutes of that and the hive will be pretty empty. Only the newborns will remain. You'll have to be creative about how to kill them or seal them in depending on the site. Never had a sting once using this method.

[ June 30, 2006, 06:24 PM: Message edited by: brent.roberts ]

[chief]

I used the same method Brent just mentioned with a bumble bee nest i removed for some folks and it worked great. I would be carefull if they have multiple openings though. Maybe get a couple of vacs going on the main entrances. Good luck.

[nc checkers]

Thanks guys lots of great ideas. Fact is I got the cover off and determined that they were in the cavity of of a block then sprinkled some sevin dust into the top of the block wall. Luckily some went right into the entrance of the paper nest. I went back in an hour or two and they had absconded. I took out the nest, 4 layers 4 to 6 inch diameter loaded with larvae, eggs and capped brood.

[iddee]

Checkers, are you going to High Point in July?

http://www.ncbeekeepers.org/meetings.htm