bugs!

beagle · 07-25-2014, 05:25 PM

For some reason this year we have several bug issues that I dont know what the best way is to deal with.
First, we have wasps which have built a nest in our swim dock. They have strategically placed it underneath the planking yet on top of the float.
Secondly, we have two types of wasps/hornets flying low over our pearched beach. One type is a hornet with black & white stripes. The other likes to dig holes in the sand and then bring other dead bugs to bury. I have been stung by not sure which.
Lastly, for the first time ever, I am being bitten by what I think are no see ums. They are leaving blood blister like bites by my ears and along my hairline even when I am on the screen porch.
Arrgh!

Any advice appreciated!

SAMIAM · 07-26-2014, 08:23 AM

We pretty much ignore the common hornets....they hang out under our decks and look menacing but build small nests and don't really bother us.....the striped ones are wasps and a little more aggressive if disturbed......I'd spray those buggers with Raid. A little Deep Woods Off will keep noseeums, mosquitos and black flies away.

nhcatrider · 07-26-2014, 08:29 AM

Being allergic to most flying stinging insects, I take an aggressive approach to prevent nests etc. When I built my deck on my house I screened in the framing to prevent nests in the joists. I also buy a bunch of raid every spring and spray them at the beginning. While at a friends a few weeks ago we discovered a nest in a swim platform and took a unique approach to it. Both of us are divers, so we went from underneath and pulled the floats out of the raft. Took care of that problem. Now the next project is screening the bottom of the raft, that might work for you as well.

tis · 07-26-2014, 09:31 AM

For the second year in a row we have had a huge nest underneath the plastic box which serves as a "toy box" on the beach. Whatever kind they are they are very agressive. I sprayed it and the second day thought they were all gone so tipped it up and guess what. They weren't all gone. They attacked me. I got stung twice. The stings still itch. I have also sprayed or knocked down several in various places in and around the dock and in a few days they build them right back. I think they are particularly bad this year.

camp guy · 07-26-2014, 09:50 AM

Because of the potential for an allergic reaction, and because of the problems an allergic reaction can create, hornets, wasps, and bees are not to be taken lightly. Even in the face of horticultural concerns, or DES regulations, or nature itself, it is wisest to get rid of these bugs as soon as possible. The negative results that can occur to humans and animals are not worth the risk of "playing nice" with them.

Bmcgov78 · 07-26-2014, 10:42 AM

its been a bad year for horse flies IMO

nhcatrider · 07-26-2014, 10:55 AM

I just discovered a huge nest in the tongue of my snowmobile trailer. They seem to love the surge brake assembly every year, but this by far is the largest one I've had to exterminate yet. Plus, they are building higher than usual on my house, is this a sign for winter? Or is it that they are getting smarter and realize that I have to get the ladder out to spray them?

beagle · 07-26-2014, 01:30 PM

I will have my husband spray

I don't like using chemicals near the water, but the stings can be dangerous. FWIW, a friend once taught me to use a paste of Adolph's meat tenderizer and water to cover the sting. If you do it right away it works pretty well; the enzymes break down the venom.
Thsnks again

SIKSUKR · 07-28-2014, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beagle

, a friend once taught me to use a paste of Adolph's meat tenderizer and water to cover the sting. If you do it right away it works pretty well; the enzymes break down the venom.
Thsnks again

Take an aspirin and wet it. Rub it on the sting while it turns into a muddy mess. Works great to take the stinging away. Also, spray nests at night when they will all be back in their nest.

tis · 07-28-2014, 01:36 PM

When we were kids, mud was another home remedy. This time I grabbed some sand, the closest thing, and I don't think it worked very well.

I then went in and put some lavender oil on it which had worked great on another past sting. One of them was driving me crazy itching last night-still!!

07-25-2014, 05:25 PM	#1
beagle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 176 Thanks: 184 Thanked 25 Times in 21 Posts	bugs! For some reason this year we have several bug issues that I dont know what the best way is to deal with. First, we have wasps which have built a nest in our swim dock. They have strategically placed it underneath the planking yet on top of the float. Secondly, we have two types of wasps/hornets flying low over our pearched beach. One type is a hornet with black & white stripes. The other likes to dig holes in the sand and then bring other dead bugs to bury. I have been stung by not sure which. Lastly, for the first time ever, I am being bitten by what I think are no see ums. They are leaving blood blister like bites by my ears and along my hairline even when I am on the screen porch. Arrgh! Any advice appreciated!

07-26-2014, 09:50 AM	#5
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,182 Thanks: 299 Thanked 525 Times in 293 Posts	bugs! Because of the potential for an allergic reaction, and because of the problems an allergic reaction can create, hornets, wasps, and bees are not to be taken lightly. Even in the face of horticultural concerns, or DES regulations, or nature itself, it is wisest to get rid of these bugs as soon as possible. The negative results that can occur to humans and animals are not worth the risk of "playing nice" with them.

07-26-2014, 01:30 PM	#8
beagle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 176 Thanks: 184 Thanked 25 Times in 21 Posts	Thanks everyone I will have my husband spray I don't like using chemicals near the water, but the stings can be dangerous. FWIW, a friend once taught me to use a paste of Adolph's meat tenderizer and water to cover the sting. If you do it right away it works pretty well; the enzymes break down the venom. Thsnks again

07-26-2014, 08:23 AM	#2
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,893 Thanks: 334 Thanked 1,675 Times in 585 Posts	We pretty much ignore the common hornets....they hang out under our decks and look menacing but build small nests and don't really bother us.....the striped ones are wasps and a little more aggressive if disturbed......I'd spray those buggers with Raid. A little Deep Woods Off will keep noseeums, mosquitos and black flies away.

07-26-2014, 08:29 AM	#3
nhcatrider Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 167 Thanks: 19 Thanked 29 Times in 27 Posts	Being allergic to most flying stinging insects, I take an aggressive approach to prevent nests etc. When I built my deck on my house I screened in the framing to prevent nests in the joists. I also buy a bunch of raid every spring and spray them at the beginning. While at a friends a few weeks ago we discovered a nest in a swim platform and took a unique approach to it. Both of us are divers, so we went from underneath and pulled the floats out of the raft. Took care of that problem. Now the next project is screening the bottom of the raft, that might work for you as well.

07-26-2014, 09:31 AM	#4
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,715 Thanks: 752 Thanked 1,457 Times in 1,014 Posts	For the second year in a row we have had a huge nest underneath the plastic box which serves as a "toy box" on the beach. Whatever kind they are they are very agressive. I sprayed it and the second day thought they were all gone so tipped it up and guess what. They weren't all gone. They attacked me. I got stung twice. The stings still itch. I have also sprayed or knocked down several in various places in and around the dock and in a few days they build them right back. I think they are particularly bad this year.

07-26-2014, 10:42 AM	#6
Bmcgov78 Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 24 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	its been a bad year for horse flies IMO

07-26-2014, 10:55 AM	#7
nhcatrider Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 167 Thanks: 19 Thanked 29 Times in 27 Posts	I just discovered a huge nest in the tongue of my snowmobile trailer. They seem to love the surge brake assembly every year, but this by far is the largest one I've had to exterminate yet. Plus, they are building higher than usual on my house, is this a sign for winter? Or is it that they are getting smarter and realize that I have to get the ladder out to spray them?

07-28-2014, 01:36 PM	#10
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,715 Thanks: 752 Thanked 1,457 Times in 1,014 Posts	When we were kids, mud was another home remedy. This time I grabbed some sand, the closest thing, and I don't think it worked very well. I then went in and put some lavender oil on it which had worked great on another past sting. One of them was driving me crazy itching last night-still!!