Page 30 - Discover Summer 2023

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the original Star Wars movie. Vigilance, patience, and a froze the wasps. They were then sent to a lab, where their
keen eye will help you to locate an active nest. The best venom was extracted for the purpose of producing anti-
time to search for them is in the early morning or late venom.
evening. When sun light is low on the horizon, they'll be
entering and exiting on a vertical axis, so break down your Obviously you could also contact an exterminator
yard into zones and focus on each area intently. to remove the nest. Either way, it is best to deal with it
sooner rather than later, as it will only get larger and the
Once you identify a nest, pay attention to the direction wasps will become more aggressive later in the season.
in which they are entering and exiting, and don't block
their path, as this may trigger an attack. I know that By late summer or early fall, the queen will stop laying
some people will douse the nest with gasoline, which eggs for workers, and will start laying eggs for next years
can asphyxiate and kill off the nest if not lit on fire. queens, and males for mating purposes. If you're lucky,
Unfortunately, that's not great for the future of that area, such predators as skunks and raccoons may intervene and
but I've found that it is better to use a wasp spray in a can dig up the nest for you, so that they may eat the larvae.
with a residual kill component. This method works best, Most nests are annual, but some survive over the
and allows you to keep your distance, as you will need to winter and eventually become super nests, so stay
leave quickly after spraying. vigilant. Even if the nest isn't in your yard, they can still

Stay clear of the nest for several hours afterward, as be a nuisance to you. Such things as rotting fruit drop,
many workers will be returning from the hunt, and all open beverages and food, and floral body products will
will be in an agitated state. If you don't want any part of attract them. While it is true that everything has its place
destroying the nest and have made no attempt to apply in nature, for some of us, stings not only hurt, but the
any substances, there is an alternative solution: I was able effects can be dangerous and potentially deadly.
to contact a service years ago that for no expense came
out and simply collected all the wasps with a vacuum You can reach Bob Siren by email:
system. This process took several hours, after which they GardenGab@wslk880.com

28 Discover Smith Mountain Lake SUMMER 2023