Hi guys,
I have a hornet that has been showing a particular interest in my house for the last few weeks. It hasn't attacked us, and we try to steer clear of it when when we know it's about. However, I'm finding that we tend to avoid going outside when it's around and I'm finding that this is becoming restrictive.
I have surface sprayed the area it seems to be most interested in with a mix-it-yourself concentrate surface spray from Bunnings, but it doesn't seem to have done much other than drive it closer to our front door (great ).
Just wondering if anyone has had any success killing / removing a hornet and what you did?
You need a bait. 'friend', mother in law or other relo, etc... and a big fying pan. Seriously, find out what it likes, get a plastic bottle, cut the top third out then reverse it like a funnel. Fill-in with some sugar and water and leave it outside. You'll get him eventualy (along with a bunch of other stuff). He'll fly in but not out and will drown.
What type of Hornet are you talking about? No matter what type it is, you are not on the menu, and it is safe to venture outside. If it was at my place, I would be outside with the 550D and 100mm USM Macro lens. I have taken 100s of photos inluding paper wasps, other bities (including Eastern Brown and Red Belly Black snakes) and hornets, and have never been stung or bitten to date. Macro photography requires the lens to be about 2 inches away for facial details, and the snakes, lying on my belly about 10-20 inches away. Enjoy the beauty of this creature instead, it is facinating how they build their homes. YOU ARE SAFE!!!!
Here's a couple more silly answers
If it's a .22 hornet you could try ebay
If it's the Green Hornet leave him alone he was a good guy that kept us entertained at the flicks on Saturday afternoon (circa 1940)
Hi Dean,
are you sure it's a Hornet and not a European Wasp?
The difference is:
-about an inch in size
-a painful sting or an emergency trip to the hospital.
I could be wrong, but there is no Hornet in Australia.
The European Wasp is a late entry of foreign invaders.
It can sting repeatedly (unlike bees) and have an aggressive "attitude".
Just have a BBQ, you will find out...
Could be a potter wasp looking for somewhere to make a small nest? They should leave you alone if you leave them alone. It's actually very interesting watching them make their nests. Very clever.
I have tons of all sorts of wasps where I live including the one you're talking about - probably the potter wasp. Huge suckers with a yellow abdomen that sound like a B17 when they fly by. They're not as aggressive as paper wasps but they pack a good sting. Leave them alone but if they intrude on your space I find a direct hit with Mortein surface spray knocks them down almost instantly.
You're all sillier than me (almost ). I'm glad I started this thread, I've had a good laugh reading all of the responses.
Quote:
are you sure it's a Hornet and not a European Wasp?
The difference is:
-about an inch in size
-a painful sting or an emergency trip to the hospital.
This one is about 3-4cm long, with dangling legs, and is very inquisitive. I'm not really one for killing critters that don't pose a direct threat to me (eg. a red back in my letter box has got to go before he takes the postie out of the game, but an orb spider in my front garden can live a long and orby life). This hornet / wasp is a biggie and tends not to have a very large personal space...so I'm starting to think that he has to move along before he gets near my little daughter etc.
Sounds like a potter wasp. You're lucky they're pretty solitary. We've got a paper wasp colony set up home on our front door. Yes, /on/ our front door. I don't have the heart to spray them, and it's growing and growing almost exponentially now. They're pretty timid too and allow us to walk in and out of the door. Don't think my wife will allow this to go on much longer.