Re: Conundrum

**L* L* <l*@gmail.com>**

On Sun, Sep 6, 2015 at 6:45 PM, Duane Campbell <dcamp911@gmail.com> wrote:

> Probably the advice to use a dedicated wasp killer is wise, but there is
> not a can left in our small town. Tuesday we will go up to the Big City,
> Sayre PA, which ... can you imagine -- has BOTH a WalMart and Lowes. I will
> also buy a couple yards of gauze. Sorry, Larry, it is not accessible by
> pick-up. And I do mean sorry; your solution sounds like the best. Then I
> shall don Levis and canvas shirt, and coverall over that, stout gloves duck
> taped to the sleeves, a neck scarf, gauze taped around a hat, and if my
> courage holds out, attack the pile with pick and spray.
>

> If you don't hear from me by Wednesday, you'll know why. I chickened out
> and was ashamed to admit it.
>

And you might be wise to do that. Seriously, based on the description of
your protective clothing, you might need to take a little longer devising
your strategy. These fellows are not bees, they are, as you know, quite
dangerous. Noone knows the effect of more than half dozen stings other than
the obvious week long pain. Keep in mind that they will probably find the
smallest opening in your clothing and lead the pack on in after you. Could
you get beekeepers gear, particularly the hat and veil? And the smoke! That
could make or break your adventure. Could you borrow a shopsize vacuum
cleaner with long hose and pipes plus extensions, and I mean the large
diameter version. Lacking access by vehicle here's my plan:
After you are in full protective gear with all seams sealed with duct tape
(they _will_ find the smallest opening and work their way in):
1) maybe try a smoker or smouldering fire (maybe cedar bark or dry grass)
at end of long pole; dangle it over the hive opening.
or
2) hook up shop vac and place the nozzle at the hive entrance (there may be
several but more than likely not)
3) take a long lightweight pole or piece of bamboo at least 16 feet, and
poke the entrance; when they emerge turn on the vac and head for the hills;
when they quit swarming, repeat process with long stick.
4) have binoculars handy to observe progress
I'll bet this would work.
I doubt I am over doing it about the need for caution. We know what one
sting will do, think of 6 or 12.
I have had to deal with wasps, yellowjackets, bumblebees, black widow
spiders and copperheads (once inside a trailer I lived in just after I
bought my land) so I am always overly cautious and alert.
What I would not do unless you are absolutely sure your protective gear
will keep the yellowjackets out is try to find the hive opening and spray
insecticide into it. I think they could overwhelm you early on. If the hive
has been in place long enough it will be deep and have many tunnels and
chambers which could exist in the dirt below the compost pile. If your hive
is like mine was there may be a thousand or more yellowjackets in the nest.
They swarm quickly and move fast toward their target with accuracy. They
wrote the book on hive mind.

Good luck with your project. If I think of anything else useful I will post
it to the thread.
LL

-- 
Lawrence F. London
lfljvenaura@gmail.com
https://sites.google.com/site/avantgeared/
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