I have been researching on this subject for the last two days because I have found it very intriguing. I have learned hornet is a subspecies of wasp. I also have learned that hornets build nests up high (aerial) while wasps build nests in the dirt or sub ground.

In the last 3 summers, I have noticed nests built under my eave which is about 7 feet from the ground. This is possibly due to the bougainvillea that have been growing strong. In the recent weeks, some have been following me and I have been hearing an increase in buzz sounds. So the other day, I located one nest and decided to spray RAID on it. Obviously, that was a mistake. The moment I sprayed, they came swarming at me, with me taking off and running into my garage (down). Second attempt was yesterday where I took my water hose with a concentrated nozzle. That did the trick, blasted the comb down. But shockingly, when I looked up, I saw 2 bigger nests and at least 20-30 on each nest. There were also 3 smaller nests as I inspected the entire eave. I blasted all of them into the ground.

Anyway, looks like I will be blasting them each summer moving forward.

Do wasps build nest under eaves? Or are these hornets? I was too scare to take pictures because concern they might be "Asian Murder Hornets". They look yellow when they fly around but when on comb nest, they look creepy black. I cannot believe the amount of nests under the eave. There are still two more but too high up for the nozzle to hit.

 

LOL, saw this at the bottom of this thread:

https://www.doityourself.com/stry/wh...murder-hornets

 

Yep, looks exactly like this nest.

https://youtu.be/KTjBxC9g-Zo?t=44

This guy referred it as wasp so I guess wasp can also have aerial nests.

 

Paper wasps build nests underneath cover as their nests are exposed. So, if you can see the wasps on the nest, then it is wasps. Hornets have the same type of comb/chambers, but they cover it with chewed up wood, in other words, paper. Since they cover their nests with the "paper" they can build them exposed, such as on tree branches though sometimes they do build them under soffits. The hornet nests take on the shape of a football because of the paper covering.

 

Although the garden hose knocked down the nests, the wasps have regrouped and building new nests. Tomorrow, will use my car wash sprayer with detergents to put an end to these parties.

 

Why not spray them with an approved wasp/hornet spray when they are clustered together? It is nest building time for them. That is a biological urge that we can't change in them.

Go out when it is still light enough that you can see and hit them. Pick out your approach and escape path prior.

 

Ok, if that is what you recommend, then I will go and pickup a few cans of sprays. I have used some about 10 years ago. I was just going to use whatever is around the house this time. Thanks

 

I am glad that you advice on the spray. It helped for longer term effect although the garden hose is more powerful. I bought two cans and realized still not enough as I found more nests.

I did accidentally breathed in some. How dangerous is this stuff?

 

I have several face shields similar to the cheaper versions on this site. Doesn't have to be these brands, just posted for example. I may upgrade to a more impact style shield for chain sawing, table sawing, etc.

Breathing a little won't harm us, except for those of us that are allergic but by adulthood we would know if we are allergic. The solvents, propellants though will cause skin irritations, especially on the more moist skin areas such as lips, nasal area, and eyes. Not good for eyes. Rinse with cool water at first, no soap, as soap and warm water opens up pores to allow absorption which we don't want.

If this amount of nest activity keeps up annually, you may want to consider getting a compressed air sprayer, such as the typical garden pump up sprayer, and have insecticide concentrate on hand to mix with water. You will get more volume, greater distance, and much cheaper than aerosols.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Safety-E...shield%7D%3Aqu

 

Thank You PABugMan.

I just spoke to my sister and she said same thing happened to her house. Wasps kept coming back each summer. When they got it painted, it finally took care of the problem. I am not going to have my house paint but interesting how they got rid of it.

 

OK PABugMan, I think your advice of getting the pesticide worked out. When I sprayed with water, they came back the next day at the very same spot. When I sprayed with the pesticide the other day, including all surrounds under the eave and seem like they are not coming back

One thing I do want to share is that wasp sprays are not all created equal. The Raid brand was a $1 cheaper than Spectracide but it did not kill on contact and did not spray as far.