I don't see these folks hanging around very long. It's almost the size of a basketball & is hanging over my driveway. I think a couple strategically placed garbage bags in February should do the trick.

Glen,

I've bagged a few of those nests and it's pretty dangerous. In the fall those hornets become more aggressive and there's always a sentry or two at the entrance who is not shy about sounding the ALERT!! I've never been stung but my knees are usually shaking when I've done the deed when live hornets were on board. Know that they can chew through a single Hefty lawn/leaf bag in time so DO NOT store it in your garage, and double bagging is a good idea. However, they'll be leaving the nest soon (if they haven't already) to hibernate in the ground. Unfortunately as soon as they evacuate the nest it very quickly gets in disrepair with no workers there to patch it up from rain, etc. so getting it down soon after they leave is important if your wanting to save it.

Thanks for the tips!! I'll just have to do it sooner than expected I guess. I'll be careful while Diane is holding the bag open.

A burning oil soaked rag on the end of a long stick will work also.
Another idea get some cheep carb cleaner and spray the nest start
at the hole and work from there or use two cans one at the hole and
the other on the nest, and you can always burn it then for the efect.
Just don't get close if you do burn it carb cleaner goes fast.
On another note if you find a ground nest you can't dump gas on try a
vacume cleaner put the hose close to the hole and leave it for a while
every bee in or out will go into the hose, then just as you are shuting
it off spray into the hose a time or two that will kill all inside. All of these
have worked for me.
Dave

i got rid of my neighbors empty nest with a trap load of #7 1/2s through the twelve guage. nothing in it but fun to watch it come down.

Thanks for the tips idoc. I had thought about smoking them like we used to do honey bees in their box. I'll keep an eye on it for a while & see what becomes of it. It's supposed to warm up here on Monday.

ho91-- I'll bet it did come apart!!

Has anyone ever shot one of those nests with a .17 HMR?

I wonder if the little 17gr. bullet would tear up the inside and not exit.

from what ive heard that 17HMR will probably blow the Hell out of it. mao

yeah i just wait for it to freeze and then i use two cans of hornet killer on it then i knock it down and double wrap it in a trash bag take it out in a field (with owners permission) and light it up but i have wondered what my little 17 hummer with some 17gr. v-max's would do to one

Well I waited til mid January ~08~ to take this down. I double wrapped it in garbage bags & taped them tight around the main branch. I waited til 2 weeks ago ~mid January 09~ to open it up. I sprayed 1/2 a can of clear gloss poly in thru the 2 holes & let it set. I put the rest of the can on it a couple days later. It's not real shiny. These things really soak up the poly. I didn't want it shiny anyway. I'm really hoping that 6lb test Fireline will hold it up.

That does it, I'm writing to Jeff Foxworthy...

"If you have a hornet's nest hanging in your den.... YOU MIGHT BE A REDNECK !

Might be heck!!!

Very cool Glen

A buddy of mine collects them. He goes at night with a trash bag. Ties it up around the branch where its hung from, then cuts it loose. Takes it home and puts it in the freezer. Next day takes it out, opens the bag and shakes the wasps out on the floor and stomps em. Doesn't hurt the nest and kills all the wasps. Course you gotta move quick before they thaw out. Good luck.

I would rather deal with wasps than hornets any day. Not that I want to. But if I had my choices.

When I was a kid I shot a nest about the size of a basketball. What a mess it made of the nest, I would have never imagend them coming out so fast. The hornet have an effective way of knowing where the danger come's from. Then let me know not to do that sh!!. I wish I could find the pic. of me I was around 12 and got stung 23 time's. Have never messed with a nest since.