Stingy bugs! (Sting-y, as in prone to stinging. Not stingy as in cheap.)

[wesleysgirl]

We have a stinging bug problem -- they're clearly nesting in the space over our mudroom, getting in through a crack between the roof of the mudroom and the shingles on the side of the house. I think they're yellowjackets based on photos I've seen. If they were leaving us alone, I'd probably just try to ignore them, but they're getting into the kitchen somehow and it's annoying, so they have to go.

Does anyone have experience with spraying them with some kind of wasp/hornet spray? Any advice? The roof of the mudroom is high off the ground and will require a ladder to reach it, so I'm a bit nervous about being up on top of a tall ladder and suddenly having the creatures swarm and sting me/us to death.

Comments

[flaming-muse.livejournal.com]

Wasp sprays tend to be able to shoot 10-20 feet precisely so you don't have to get too close. I've used them for various sorts of nests, and they've done a good job. Also, wasps and bees are less active/inactive at night, so spraying after the sun goes down means you're far less likely to be swarmed. I recommend wearing clothes with long sleeves and legs, anyway, just in case.

[wesleysgirl.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I think you've given us enough confidence to have a go of it on our own. If we don't do a good job we can still call an exterminator. Now to see if the neighbors will loan us their very tall ladder!