How can I safely remove hornet (bee?) nest on balcony without harmful chemicals?

Question

I just moved into my own condo. There are 2 balconies- one is large and one is small. There is an obviously active nest in the corner of the smaller balcony. I can see its inhabitants are striped yellow and black (I don't know if they're bees or hornets). I'm afraid to knock it down because the balcony is small, so there's nowhere to run away to.

On the lower balcony is another nest where I haven't seen any activity, so it might be safe to just knock it down.

I prefer not to use harmful chemicals if I can avoid it, not only because bees and hornets are useful creatures, but also because I think pesticides are generally bad for the environment.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to be afraid to go out onto either of my balconies.

Thanks!

Answer 1

This is probably a nest of "yellow jackets" (Vespula sp.), or paper wasps (Polistes sp.)....You're right, these are beneficial insects, the larvae have an insatiable appetite for grubs and caterpillars... If you knock it down, the queen and her daughters will likely try to build another one.

Here are two suggestions.....

1) Buy some "pure gum spirits of turpentine" at a hardware store. Then, splash some on the nest; this will instantly kill any wasps it touches, and any remaining wasps will abandon the nest.

Note: this is a "natural" product, it's basically just distilled pine sap. It can still damage plants (I wouldn't recommend pouring some on your grass) but it's a lot more friendly than the "organophosphates" found in commercial insecticides....

2) Oil of peppermint, or "peppermint extract", in a small spray bottle also works great. With the oil, you may want to mix it with some water and dish soap before you use it. (Try not to get any on your hands, or they will smell "fresh" for a day and a half.......)

Answer 2

The only time to remove / Spray bees/Hornets nests is at night when they are all in the nest. Doing this during the day will only anger them and the returning ones will sense something is wrong and attack you or anyone else in the area. They will not leave the area for the rest of the day.

Answer 3

Who's in charge here - you or the hornets? Get a can of wasp & hornet spray and go to town on those buggers! You'll be doing yourself a huge favor, not to mention all the other people that might get stung. The earth will forgive your 5 second blast. The only good hornet is a dead one.

Answer 4

Wait till it gets dark before you do anything.
But Sprays are really the only way to get rid of things unless you wanna risk hitting it with a bat.

Answer 5

I look at it this way. I they don't become hostile in my air space then I won't have to retaliate in theirs. In other words if they don't bother you then leave them alone, But wasp spray is the only safe way to get rid of them.

Answer 6

Is that where I bust the bag over the head of anyone who asks me if I accept Jesus into my life? Yeah, I think I could pass that test.

Answer 7

I would use the pesticide in your situation--sometimes you have no other options.