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Wasp expert???
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<blockquote data-quote="Star*" data-source="post: 116340" data-attributes="member: 4964"><p>D3</p><p></p><p>I would guess that what you have is possibly one of three things - you didn't say what color they were. But I'm guessing possibly yellow and black, or a reddish brown with yellow markings.</p><p></p><p>It's not unusual for any wasp to build a subterranian nest because in florida the ground is sand - and many animals dig burrows which can become awesome safe havens for nurseries. </p><p></p><p>Look around the areas - there is a nest close by and they are actually attracted to shades of white and black (no win on painting the beautiful new mailbox)</p><p></p><p>My guess would be that they have found an old gopher tortise hole or are up high in a tree. There are also wasps called saw wasps that have little round mounds of sand - that most people think are ants or ant-killers. They are actually Saw wasps. Reddish in color. Then there is Polistes or Paper wasps - very nasty disposition and will build honey comb type nests. You could also be dealing with Vespula or Yellow jackets - they are meat eaters - that's why you see them hanging around trash cans and are the #1 predator of a picnic - the meat smell drives them mad. It's true they like fruity things but throw a couple of chicken thighs out by the mail box if you want to get a good look at them. </p><p></p><p>The fact that they are building or trying to build a nest in your mailbox does NOT necessarily mean they are in the post or in the ground. They may be a nomadic group looking for a covered sight to build their nest/nursery.</p><p></p><p>If you see paper like combs with larve in them - more than likely they are Paperwasps - if you see what looks like a clump of mud then they can be either yellowjackets or muddaubers - but it's been so dry lately my money is on the Polistes or Vespula.</p><p></p><p>To rid yourself of them You are going to need to get some Hot shot wasp spray and coat NOT ONLY the outside of that mail box but the inside as well. And do not disturb, but reapply the spray often. Be careful - as there are always workers that will come to the aid of the nest and they will come after the attacker. </p><p></p><p>You can call the Florida Extension office - should be in your phone book. And I'm all for the poster that talked about Africanized honey bees making their way up into the US. However - when Africanized honey bees make their stand - you can see them by the 1,000s and they don't leave - they are so aggressive that even driving by them, or a dog barking 2 houses away could motivate them to attack. Their nests are enormous.</p><p></p><p>The best thing to do would be to leave the mail box alone, spray it, set traps for the workers (all female) and let the situation calm down before using the mail box again. The traps I'm talking about are sold at Ace Hardware, come with bait, and can be hung on short shepherds crooks a short distance from the mail box. It is doubtful that you will kill the hive - because the hive will grow wherever their queen is - and she's not likely to be in the mail box. They would keep her hidden. So you are basically attacking the workers and stopping them from building a new nursery, not killing them all off. UNLESS you can SEE a huge hive and a swarm and at that point - I'd call a specialist to bag it. </p><p></p><p>Keep in mind that motion from say a weed eater can aggravate them and smells like perfume can draw them. Scent of Cedar is right about the Bounce - they don't like the smell much.</p><p></p><p>I have a tremendous specimen of a Cicada killer - they are like wasps on steroids and just HUGE but I'd bet you have the ones I mentioned. Oh and if it isn't and they are the little black ones that flit their wings alot - they are not so ill tempered, but once you make them mad they stay mad.</p><p></p><p>Whoda thunk my bug knowledge would have ever helped someone here? lol zzzzzzt zzzzzt (i know not funnY)</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Star*, post: 116340, member: 4964"] D3 I would guess that what you have is possibly one of three things - you didn't say what color they were. But I'm guessing possibly yellow and black, or a reddish brown with yellow markings. It's not unusual for any wasp to build a subterranian nest because in florida the ground is sand - and many animals dig burrows which can become awesome safe havens for nurseries. Look around the areas - there is a nest close by and they are actually attracted to shades of white and black (no win on painting the beautiful new mailbox) My guess would be that they have found an old gopher tortise hole or are up high in a tree. There are also wasps called saw wasps that have little round mounds of sand - that most people think are ants or ant-killers. They are actually Saw wasps. Reddish in color. Then there is Polistes or Paper wasps - very nasty disposition and will build honey comb type nests. You could also be dealing with Vespula or Yellow jackets - they are meat eaters - that's why you see them hanging around trash cans and are the #1 predator of a picnic - the meat smell drives them mad. It's true they like fruity things but throw a couple of chicken thighs out by the mail box if you want to get a good look at them. The fact that they are building or trying to build a nest in your mailbox does NOT necessarily mean they are in the post or in the ground. They may be a nomadic group looking for a covered sight to build their nest/nursery. If you see paper like combs with larve in them - more than likely they are Paperwasps - if you see what looks like a clump of mud then they can be either yellowjackets or muddaubers - but it's been so dry lately my money is on the Polistes or Vespula. To rid yourself of them You are going to need to get some Hot shot wasp spray and coat NOT ONLY the outside of that mail box but the inside as well. And do not disturb, but reapply the spray often. Be careful - as there are always workers that will come to the aid of the nest and they will come after the attacker. You can call the Florida Extension office - should be in your phone book. And I'm all for the poster that talked about Africanized honey bees making their way up into the US. However - when Africanized honey bees make their stand - you can see them by the 1,000s and they don't leave - they are so aggressive that even driving by them, or a dog barking 2 houses away could motivate them to attack. Their nests are enormous. The best thing to do would be to leave the mail box alone, spray it, set traps for the workers (all female) and let the situation calm down before using the mail box again. The traps I'm talking about are sold at Ace Hardware, come with bait, and can be hung on short shepherds crooks a short distance from the mail box. It is doubtful that you will kill the hive - because the hive will grow wherever their queen is - and she's not likely to be in the mail box. They would keep her hidden. So you are basically attacking the workers and stopping them from building a new nursery, not killing them all off. UNLESS you can SEE a huge hive and a swarm and at that point - I'd call a specialist to bag it. Keep in mind that motion from say a weed eater can aggravate them and smells like perfume can draw them. Scent of Cedar is right about the Bounce - they don't like the smell much. I have a tremendous specimen of a Cicada killer - they are like wasps on steroids and just HUGE but I'd bet you have the ones I mentioned. Oh and if it isn't and they are the little black ones that flit their wings alot - they are not so ill tempered, but once you make them mad they stay mad. Whoda thunk my bug knowledge would have ever helped someone here? lol zzzzzzt zzzzzt (i know not funnY) [/QUOTE]
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