Pest Nests

[Lora, Archer, & Kira]

It's about 80 degrees in Everett today... pretty warm for this area, and very sunny. Since I have the day off again (oh how lucky I got this week), I put the birds on the porch again. I've noticed what appears to be the same bee/wasp/whatever (it's black and yellow, with wings and a stinger is all I know!) hanging around the wooden slats on the balcony.

Most of the time it goes up underneath the top part where I can't see it and doesn't come out for awhile. I didn't think much of it, 'cause it was only one. Well, the little bugger is back again today, and I noticed it was hanging around the wood near the bottom. So I looked down to see what it was up to, and sure enough, it is building some small nest-looking things.

I don't want to call the apartment manager 'cause they'll use insecticide I'm sure. I want to have a place where my birds can be safe outdoors, which is my back porch. Is there anyway I can either get rid of the nests, or make the bee/wasp thing no longer interested in them without using products that are harmful to my babies?

I've never had this problem before, and any advice is appreciated. :)

[skyrat]

I know that Jeepers Cheepers in Lynden carries these things - the only way to describe them is that it's all plastic, with a strip of yellow inside a white lattice work. We bought one for the house to keep moths and flies out. They do seem to work real well. I'll bet one around the area where that bee is would help tremendously. Also, might want to definitely keep an eye on it. I don't know about in WA, but in MO where I moved up here from, there are "wood bees". They will make perfectly round holes in wood - but they also tunnel in there. Can destroy good woodwork pretty quick.

[Lora, Archer, & Kira]

I have never heard of wood bees, but I'm not concerned about the woodwork... that would be my apartment complex's problem. I just don't want a bunch of what is probably wasps hanging around my back door. :?

I snapped a quick picture of them with my camera...

[BrianKing]

Just knock the nest down. When the bees are gone of course.

[Joel]

Look like wasps nests to me and they will get bigger & bigger in time. I suggest simply to just knock them down as soon as they start building them and I'm sure in time they will become discouraged and move away. Otherwise, if possible, I would put up some screening or wire around the area to keep them from getting in or under there.......You know me, I hate to see anything killed if it can be shooed away.

[TooLover]

I agree - they ARE wasp nests and the best thing is to knock them down - they will move on.

[Lora, Archer, & Kira]

Thanks :)

I looked in on it earlier, and the wasp was kind of "snuggled" around the base of it. Should I wait until it rains before I knock it down? that should be by Monday...

[Lora, Archer, & Kira]

Originally Posted by Joel

Look like wasps nests to me and they will get bigger & bigger in time. I suggest simply to just knock them down as soon as they start building them and I'm sure in time they will become discouraged and move away. Otherwise, if possible, I would put up some screening or wire around the area to keep them from getting in or under there.......You know me, I hate to see anything killed if it can be shooed away.

I could do that, but like I said, I only rent this place. I am hoping to move soon, but I don't want to have wasps in the meantime. :?

[The Outlaw]

Generally, bees and wasps have trouble flying when the weather is cold. In fact, for the very brave types, you can plastic bag the nest and freeze them to kill the bees. Frankly, I suggest you wait until its nighttime and knock it down, then run like hell!