Mexican Wasps

MEXICAN WASP NEST

Hello, Lali.

You must be referring to the Mexican Honey Wasp (Brachygastra mellifica). Correct? If this is the case, then you are obviously either in extreme south Texas or in Arizona near the Mexican border. I am an avid nest collector and I happen to have a large B. mellifica nest in my personal collection. I've contributed photos of my nest to BugGuide. They can be found here:

http://bugguide.net/node/view/110228

and

http://bugguide.net/node/view/110253

and

http://bugguide.net/node/view/110254

Anyway, I am highly interested in obtaining your nest from you during the late fall/early winter if you don't want to keep it for yourself. I think it would make a WONDERFUL addition to my collection of nests! Of course, I would pay for the postage to have it shipped to me. Please let me know one way or the other. Thank you very much in advance! I am looking forward to your reply.

Sincerely,
Terry Prouty

… Terry Prouty, 29 May, 2007 - 5:38pm

Mexican Wasps

Oh my. . .I had to call the health inspector to exterminate the wasps. He was the one that informed me they were Mexican Wasps. He will be here in the morning. He told me to purchase the over-the-counter wasp spray that he will use to exterminate the wasps. Then I will have to remove the nest. What is the best way to preserve the nest for you. And yes, I live in South Texas.

… Lali Betancourt, 29 May, 2007 - 5:44pm

NEST

Hmmmmm... There is no special way to preserve the nest. However, I am concerned about the poison which will be sprayed on it. I don't want to be contaminated with this lethal stuff! Oh, well... :o( There are other alternatives where insecticide DOESN'T have to be used such as smoking out the wasps OR approaching the nest at night, quickly slipping a durable plastic bag over it, seal it, cut the nest from its support, and then putting it in a freezer overnight. Bring up these suggestions to the inspector. Please let me know how it goes for you.

Sincerely,
Terry Prouty

… Terry Prouty, 29 May, 2007 - 5:55pm

Mexican Wasps

I'm a little concerned about their sting, if I take your approach. Plz advise. Thx

… Lali Betancourt, 29 May, 2007 - 5:58pm

I think the dish detergent me

I think the dish detergent method would work better than the other two methods because the wasps WON'T be able to fly when the mixture hits them. Let me know what you think of this plan.

… Terry Prouty, 29 May, 2007 - 6:08pm

Another idea...

Here is another alternative which you can use without using insectide:

When control is necessary, dish detergent (such as Lemon Joy) mixed at 4 ounces per quart in a pump up sprayer will kill them. Please do this in the early morning or late evening.

… Terry Prouty, 29 May, 2007 - 6:01pm

Mexican Wasps

Will spraying them with regular water help?

… Lali Betancourt, 29 May, 2007 - 6:09pm

No, spraying with regular wat

No, spraying with regular water will not work. It needs to be soapy water because the mixture will prevent the wasps from flying once it hits them. Remember to do this when it is dark outside. After the treatment, wait 24 hours to make sure there is no signs of life. If the wasps are dead, then you can remove the nest from the hedge by clipping the branches and letting the nest dry out in a safe place.

By the way, I would love to see photos of this nest! :o)

… Terry Prouty, 29 May, 2007 - 6:15pm

Mexican Wasps

Just sprayed them with detergent and water. Hope it worked. We'll see in the morning. Thx for your help. I don't have a camera so I'm not able to take a pic. I'll try to borrow one tomorrow. By the way, I wasn't able to open your pics.

… Lali Betancourt, 29 May, 2007 - 9:30pm

If the first treatment wasn't

If the first treatment wasn't enough, then go for a second treatment using the soapy water solution. However, the first treatment should have been enough.

Yes, I am looking forward to the photos of the nest. You can send them to my email address:

hornetboy1970@yahoo.com

By the way, it is strange that you couldn't access my photos. Actually, look in this BugGuide website under Brachygastra mellifica and you will see my nest photos there.

Please keep me posted on what is happening with the nest. Thanks!

Take care,
Terry

… Terry Prouty, 29 May, 2007 - 10:16pm

Eradication of the Mexican Honey Wasp

Terry. . . the nest didn't survive. I was so sad about that. I doused the nest last night with soapy water. This morning the bees were still there so I did it again in the early morning. Well the nest fell in the middle of the hedges. At that point I had to use some wasp spray and then had to break the nest even more to get it out of the bushes.

But I did use soapy water before I used any pesticide stuff.

I'm just so, so sorry I wasn't able to get a pic for you and for myself.

Should there be any more interesting sightings in this area, I will let you know.

Thank you for all your help and guidance.

… Lali Betancourt, 30 May, 2007 - 4:08pm

Oh, well... :o(

Oh, well... :o(

Better luck next time! Hopefully, you won't feel the need to kill a wasp colony the next time you see an active nest on your property (that's IF it is built in a location where the wasps aren't a real danger to people). Mexican honey wasps are VERY RARE in this country, Lali. Thank you in advance for keeping your eyes open for any future sightings of Mexican honey wasp nests. I could always use more nests for my collection. Thanks again for keeping me in mind.

… Terry Prouty, 30 May, 2007 - 5:12pm