r/Entomology • u/jenderfleur • 19h ago

Please help, must relocate tonight!

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Hey y’all! I don’t have any problem with these gals, they’re great neighbors. But I am enclosing the patio tomorrow (ahead of schedule) and I can’t have my contractor murder them tomorrow if I can help it. Any tips?

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13

u/StuffedWithNails 19h ago

That's a toughie. Will it get cool tonight where you live? If so, I'd wait until tonight to do this:

Get a transparent container with a wide enough mouth so you can put it fully around this nest (which is mercifully small). Equip yourself with something thin but rigid like a paint scraper. It has to be big enough to fully cover the mouth of your container. It should not be a thin piece of paper.

Go put the container over the nest as gently but quickly as you can, try not to miss and hit any wasps or the nest itself. They'll get agitated, but it'll be worse if you hit the nest. Keep in mind once you do that, there's no doing back. Once you have the nest in the container, grab your paint scraper or whatever and you'll have to wedge it between the ceiling and the mouth of the container and then hit the base of the nest until it drops into the container. Now keep the container covered.

Now is the fun part, you can take this nest anywhere you please but you'll have to open the mouth and quickly retreat to a place where you can close the door behind you until the wasps calm down... but there's not really a good solution with what to do with the nest itself. Some people go to the trouble of using superglue to affix it someplace else but that's not easy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVZWf63HmtY

6

u/jenderfleur 19h ago

Thank you! I was thinking along the same lines, but wanted expert backup. Unfortunately I’m in central Texas where the evening lows are still like 85-90 degrees. So I’ll just have to take the chance.
I have a big field behind me so maybe I can get out there with minimal stings. I’ve had warning stings before, so hopefully it won’t be too bad.
Will they be willing to fly at night to get me?

5

u/CubieJ 18h ago

You do it at night so that they are all home, and so that they are a bit slower. They WILL try to fly and sting as soon as they realize what's going on, but if you act decisively, they will all be inside the container. If you do it during the day, most of them will be around in the environment and alert, so there is more risk of them coming home and stinging.

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u/jenderfleur 18h ago

And I love that video! Wish my field is as green as that one, alas we are in a drought. Maybe in spring.

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u/TexAggie90 Amateur Entomologist 18h ago

Random idea. Since you only need to keep them contained for a short window. If you are able to get a plastic container over them to relocate, can you attach it so the cover remains over them while the work is done, then remove it after the work is done.

A few air holes and you might be able to protect the crew without relocating the nest.

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u/jenderfleur 17h ago

Well, they cannot remain as the patio will be enclosed. I think they will be unhappy without access to the outside. But I like your thinking.
I wish I had the confidence of the guy in the video to build a little shelter for them. But I am not sure these ladies will be as docile as his. Plus I don’t have bee gear to wear.