Bob Vila Radio: Bee & Wasp Control

By Sarah Monzon and Bob Vila | Updated Aug 21, 2012 12:21 AM

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Late summer’s when you see ‘em, but now’s not  actually the best time to mess with a bee or wasp nest. The queen establishes her colony in june, but you don’t always know a nest exists until it gets bigger and you see insects coming and going into holes in the ground, in trees or in your house.  

Photo: shutterstock.com

CM_BVNOTES-1232-2 Bee and Wasp Control

Listen to BOB VILA ON BEE & WASP CONTROL, or read text below:

“Late summer’s when you see ‘em, but now’s not  actually the best time to mess with a bee or wasp nest. The queen establishes her colony in june, but you don’t always know a nest exists until it gets bigger and you see insects coming and going into holes in the ground, in trees or in your house.

If the nest isn’t near where people hang out, you can probably let it be, at least until the temperatures get lower. Below 50 degrees, wasps can’t fly well, and when it freezes the colony will die.

Nests that are hidden in walls or attics are hardest to control. Insecticidal dusts generally work better here than aerosol sprays. For yellowjacket nests in the ground, try pouring in a soap and water solution. Whatever you use, do it at night when they’re not active.

It’s interesting that porch ceilings were traditionally painted sky blue to keep bees and wasps, who prefer to nest under cover, from feeling at home. Some old-timers say the same trick works on the backs of attic louvers and shutters. If you’ve had bee problems, it’s certainly worth a try!

Get more info at BobVila.com… and right here at home with me, Bob Vila!”

Bob Vila Radio is a newly launched daily radio spot carried on more than 60 stations around the country (and growing). You can get your daily dose here, by listening to—or reading—Bob’s 60-second home improvement radio tip of the day. 

For more on pest control, consider:

Top 10 Ways to Deal with Bees
How To: Rodent-Proof Your Home
How To: Fight Off Termites