Hornets' Nests Removal
There are approximate 500 hornets in a medium nest which includes a queen, workers, drones and the young ones which cannot still fly. Being social insects, they are determined to die for their queen and companions. Thus, there are always hornets which are tasked to watch their hive or nest to ensure the safety of their companions inside while others are looking for food for their consumption. Others, especially the drones, are tasked to repair the destroyed parts of their hive or do construction to extend their colony. A queen, on the other hand, does no works but to lay eggs to produce more hornets. That is why, if you leave the nest for 3 months, rest assured that they will double their number. Therefore, there is too much a threat in your home as well as to your family. Although removing the nest is not an easy task, it is the wisest decision you make for the sake of your family especially if you have little children playing in the place where the nest is located.
Follow the steps below to ensure your safety while taking your action to remove the nest of the hornets in your yard:
Step 1
Prior to removing the nest, ensure to have the following materials:
- Thick clothing-this will protect your whole body should some of the guardians will fight you off
- Pair of goggles-ensure to cover your eyes
- Large can-large enough to catch and fit the nest inside
- Long stick-you will need this to destroy the nest from a long distance
- Insecticides or pesticides-any poisonous chemicals would do as long as you are well-acquainted with their usage.
Step 2
Do a quick research about the type of the hornets you are dealing with. You can find a lot of information, with pictures, online. You will also need to choose what type of removal you are going to use. You only have to options:
- Chemical or Poison-it includes the use of insecticides or poison to eradicate the whole colony of hornets. However, if the nest is attached to your home, poison is not quite a good option for the removal.
- Natural-it includes destroying the nest. Smoke is also advised when using this procedure.
Step 3
If the nest is attached or near your home, close all the doors, windows and other opening that might be used as hiding place of the hornets while you are driving them off. Doing the removal during the evening has a lot of advantages than doing it in broad daylight.
Step 4
Put the can underneath the nest to catch it if it falls. Don't forget to protect yourself by the thick clothing and goggles. Some hornets can kill human so don't play with them while you are unprotected.
Step 5
If you are to use the poison to kill the colony, you will need to spray it all over the nest making it absolutely wet. Some of the poison may react immediately, some won't. So you better chose those which have faster effects. Once the nest is wet and the poison is taking its action on the hornets, they will become desperate to save their lives, some would attack anything around. Try to destroy the nest using the long stick you have and let it fall into your can. Once inside, cover the can and put it into the fire. By doing so, the hornets inside will certainly roast.
Step 6
If you are going to remove the nest naturally, you will need to start a fire directly under the nest to create a smoke which will drive the hornets away but not far enough. They are still conscious of guarding over their nest, so be mindful of those which are flying around the nest. Destroy the nest using your long stick to let it fall down into your can. If it misses, you will need to put it directly into the fire. Never take it up by your hands. If it falls directly into the can, secure it immediately by covering the can immediately and put it on fire to roast them inside.