Macho wasps reluctant to give up

I've been dealing for several weeks with a wasp problem in a very large compost-filled but no longer planted plastic trough on my patio. Far too close to seating to be allowed to stay. I've never even until now seen a wasps nest, never mind dealt with one. In hindsight I've probably been rather foolish, and terribly lucky under the circumstances not to have been stung... (yet!)


I tried chemicals - firstly the foam type you spray on the entrance. Did that three times over that many weeks to no effect at all. Wasps still came and went out of the entrance as normal. Then tried the powder puffer thing. Again, no positive result whatsoever.


Old remedies... washing-up liquid and peppermint essential oil in various concentrations. This was by far the most successful, so after a couple of days of relative non-activity, I felt brave enough to upturn the whole trough onto a bare border.


The chap putting up the fence for me said with some alarm (from the other end of the garden) that the sort of misshapen-basketball-sized nest was a bit ... large. And still fairly active inside. I've been spending the last couple of days dousing it with more solution not really knowing what else to do and wondering why on earth all these efforts on my part haven't been more effective, more quickly. Reasons given for why the washing up liquid works sounded so convincing - and fast - I'm puzzled why it isn't.


Does anyone have any experience akin to mine, or ideas why it's such a challenge?

 

Last one I had of that size I used my flame gun on it.
Having said that, the foam stuff has always worked for me in the past. Perhaps they have changed the formula and it is not as effective now?

 

I've (unfortunately) become a bit of an unwilling expert on wasps. Basic wasp/fly spray works if it's the old formula including cypermethrine. It's very quick, knock-down stuff. Cypermethrine concentrate is available on t'internet. It's effective as a barrier spray ( preventative) and 'cure'. Very small quantity required. Treat the nest at night when the little darlings are asleep! Have vinegar and anti- histamine handy just in case. Soaking a wasp sting in vinegar for 30 mins is best neutraliser known to man, but multiple stings can provoke anaphylactic shock. Not funny!

 

Flame gun does sound excellent - have only a blow-torch myself (at the moment!) and there's definitely not enough of a reach for me with that to feel brave enough, it'd probably be worth getting the gun, they don't look too expensive...

Found cypermethrine on "that" site online and so will give that a go, sounds useful as a preventative possibility too, as what wasps which are still floating around looking to re-home themselves are paying way too much attention to the bottom of some stoneware planters I have on the patio.... I imagine that spraying onto a cloth and then wiping onto the ceramic surface would work?

I used to hate using chemicals on anything, but it's interesting what you are prepared to resort to when feeling really threatened!

It does seem as if they've 'dumbed-down' so many of the products these days, for safety's sake I guess. Not sure if it's helped, or hindered.

My warm thanks to you both for your sensible advice.

 

Not really! The dilution is so weak it's best to spray directly any and all surfaces that they might best on or under. And renew after heavy rain.

 

Ah OK! Is it likely to damage natural stone paving do you think?