How do I get rid of this?

We went on vacation and came back to this masterpiece in the swing set. How do I get rid of this without getting stung many times?

It's extremely active during the day so it seems like morning or evening, like the internet suggests, is probably the way to go. But... cut a bucket to fit against the roof line and fill with soapy water? Try to knock it into a trash bag? Spray it?

I really hate killing bees and/or their relatives but it's gotta go. 

Either call in a professional or burn down the swing set.

Yep professional hive relocation would be safest for you and the bees.

That is wasps, not bees.  Long range wasp killer spray, then scrape it into a garbage bag.

Brakecleen and a Bic. Also, someone else to run the camera. 

There is but one answer...

Up on the Northern tier we call them hornets but the internet seems to call them yellow jackets. They are vicious.  Late after dark when they are all in the hive, spray with the above mentioned hornet killer. Wash the play house with soapy water afterwards.

Thanks everyone. 

I'm growing, maturing even. An expert is coming this afternoon to deal with it. 

Those need to die!!  The only thing worse are white faced hornets that live in the ground.  

Streetwiseguy said:

That is wasps, not bees.  Long range wasp killer spray, then scrape it into a garbage bag.

Correct.  And do it after sundown when they are in the hive and much less active / hostile.

AxeHealey said:

Thanks everyone. 

I'm growing, maturing even. An expert is coming this afternoon to deal with it. 

So much for a new viral video... :)

Not bees.  Wasps, more specifically hornets.  Not to be confused with yellow jackets, which make nests in the ground.  Kill.  Kill.  Kill.

Anytime after dark is fine.  Get a good flashlight and a can of wasp and hornet spray.  Get nice and close and shoot the spray into the nest opening.  Any response will be feeble.  Empty the can if you feel insecure, but that will be way more than adequate.

Check for any signs of activity the next morning.  A touch more spray if necessary.  Knock the nest into a trash bag.  Done.

I would never farm this job out.  These are the challenges that make home ownership so satisfying! 

When I see these along with younger kids I joke about getting a baseball bat.  We laugh then I encourage their dads to take care of it. 

Liquid nitrogen. Instant frozen death and totally nontoxic.

1988RedT2 said:

I would never farm this job out.  These are the challenges that make home ownership so satisfying! 

Me even a few years ago wouldn't have either but being on a work call seeing my problem go away in a trash bag was satisfying enough.

look 5 posts down to see how a less mature person handles it
Bald-Face Hornet Battle Royal

I hose them from a distance with a garden hose.  Their paper houses practically dissolve, and they are too stupid to know where the water is coming from.  After about three hosings or so, they figure this isn't the prime real estate they thought it was, and build elsewhere.

Brakleen will also drop a wasp out of the air mid-flight, but I don't like staying in such close proximity to use it.  The o-rings in a super soaker also don't last long with Brakleen.

My main philosophy with bugs is: "if it moves, kill it."

Shotgun?

In reply to AxeHealey :

I’m really disappointed that no one suggested “nuke it from orbit”. 

Those white faced hornets are nothing to mess with.   I got rid of a basketball sized nest that was built onto the side of our garage a few years back.  It was partly hidden behind a bush and I nearly had a heart attack when I saw it. 

Hit it at night, hosed the lower entrance down with wasp spray first and then poked a hole in the upper nest with a piece of copper tube and sprayed the inside with more wasp spray through the tube.  Not sure I’d try it again.  

johndej said:

Shotgun?

As part of a mis spent youth, I can tell you 410 bird shot will not get rid of them, only make them really, really mad...

former520 said:

johndej said:

Shotgun?

As part of a mis spent youth, I can tell you 410 bird shot will not get rid of them, only make them really, really mad...

Please tell me you used a 410 handgun and emptied the mag into a hornets nest. 

This sounds like a western comedy scene

I'm not an entomologist, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Those could be one of the yellowjacket species, but unlikely up north.  Most common flavors would bee (see what I did there?) paper wasp or bald-faced hornets.  The paper wasp carries a nasty sting, but they're not overly aggressive.  The bald-faced hornet on the other hand will kill you just for throwing a gang symbol.  Ok, not really, but they're far more aggressive.

You did well calling a pro.  I have done a few by waiting until dark.  Some went well, others needed a lot of benadryl.

johndej said:

Shotgun?

Probably want a four bore and trap shot. :-).  

johndej said:

Shotgun?

Those are for lug nuts.  For wasps you want a torque wrench, I guess?

In reply to codrus (Forum Supporter) :

Oh I remember but someone had to suggest it! Didn't someone on here make a video taking one out with a flame thrower or something?