Wasps going into the hive

[kazmcc]

I noticed that when they are after getting inside to the honey, they sniff about the OMF. When they were just nicking tired bees, they didn't do that.

When one attempts the hive entrance, it usually can't get a look in with the amount of traffic, but if it does have a go, a load of bees tumble with it to the floor where the melee ensues. Last time I looked ( I've been ill again....hmph ) there were a few of these brawls happening on the floor just outside the hive, so I suppose they are doing their jobs quite well.
Now that nest has gone properly. It was removed, as last time it was just poisoned and left in situ. I think some wasps survived because they were soon back in business, but as you all know, I am terrified of the things.......still......so it was left to someone else to do the deed.

I hate this time of year. I hate wasps

 

[The Riviera Kid]

We went through all today and in three hives found b..... wasps flying in and diving into a comb to feed. We cut them in half with the hive tool where they were feeding.

Yes I saw the same too... the moment the crown board came off a few were diving in. i think that they were reluctant for the fight at the hive entrance. saw lots of bar brawling at the entrance too.

Now that nest has gone properly. It was removed, as last time it was just poisoned and left in situ. I think some wasps survived because they were soon back in business, but as you all know, I am terrified of the things.......still......so it was left to someone else to do the deed.

I hate this time of year. I hate wasps

yes, they can be resistant little beggars!! I have had requests from a couple of householers near my bees to come deal with wasp nests which I will do today and hopefully that will reduce their impact on the colonies.

 

[Cazza]

I started the season this year determined that for once I was going to adopt a zen like no kill policy to wasps as they are such useful creatures.
I would be very careful with syrup feed and not spill a drop, feed early or late and reduce entrances as soon as I saw a wasp near the apiary. Inspections would be mega-rapid and I would use cloths to cover supers off the hive.

I currently have a very active wasps nest in my eaves. It's amazing to sit under it and watch the darlings zoom in and out.

My zen like behaviour is holding but for how long...........?

Cazza

 

[The Riviera Kid]

Im afraid to say that there has been nothing so laid back as you about my approach to wasps this summer!

I have been far less "zen" and far more "dalek" in my dealings with them

 

[darren64]

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how do I tansfer pictures from my albums gallery to the forum?

 

[Monsieur Abeille]

One of the forum members designed a guard that works on the same principles I think. I've tried to search for it, but I'm rubbish at searching. Someone else with a better memory than me may be able to tell you who it is and where to find it

Kaz - it was Victor Meldrew, and this is the thread I think

http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6773&highlight=wasp+trap

 

[beehive1234]

A friend in my Bee Keeping Association told me how to destroy a wasps nest in my lawn. You get a watering can with about a mug of petrol in it and pour it down the hole and immediately cover entrance with a stone. They die from the fumes. Fairly cheap, although getting more expensive by the day. No pesticides left in the ground, too.

 

[Frisbee]

I had a very bad wasp problem a couple of years ago when they discovered a small hole in a roof and proceeded to scoff the contents of the super and then trash the wax. As soon as I discovered it.....on the next inspection when droves of wasps emerged from the super......I blocked the hole, but of course it didn't stop the persistent visitors. I put out lots of squash bottle traps, with a jam mix, they weren't interested, so in desperation I put sugar syrup in against all book advice because bees are also attracted to the syrup whereas they won't touch jam. Anyway Bingo. Within a day the traps were full of wasps and I had to change them. I had to change them about 4 times that week, then the flow slowed to not a lot. There was the odd bee in there, but that loss was worth the greater loss of wasps.

Wasps also send out scouts. If you get the scouts then not many others follow. Many years ago I used to sell cider and apple juice at shows. As soon as the apple juice was poured into the chiller wasps would be around. I would kill the early visitors and then have a relatively wasp free day, if I left the early ones I would be plagued all day.

Frisbee

 

[kazmcc]

Kaz - it was Victor Meldrew, and this is the thread I think

http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6773&highlight=wasp+trap

That's the one! Thanks MA

 

[Moggs]

Here's a simple wasp guard. Bees quickly figure it out, wasps not quite so sharp! Note totally bewildered wasp in front of screen!

 

[kazmcc]

LOL, bewildered wasp!

Simple, effective idea for those of us who have no money or craft skills

 

[drstitson]

last year i was shown an interesting wasp proof entrance - bit like the entrance to a castle.

three layer sandwich - inside layer: solid wall which bees go over and down into a couple of V shaped channels - wide at top. point to bottom at which point the outer wall has a hole to outside. outer surface has numerous shallow dummy holes to fool wasps.

so 1. wasps waste time looking for correct entrances and 2. once found the bees have an easily guarded funnel.

 

[drstitson]

an even cheaper deterrent is just to tell your brood not to hang around the hives with their melting ice lollies.

 

[victor meldrew]

last year i was shown an interesting wasp proof entrance - bit like the entrance to a castle.

three layer sandwich - inside layer: solid wall which bees go over and down into a couple of V shaped channels - wide at top. point to bottom at which point the outer wall has a hole to outside. outer surface has numerous shallow dummy holes to fool wasps.

so 1. wasps waste time looking for correct entrances and 2. once found the bees have an easily guarded funnel.

This year have swapped my floors for Dartingtons !
Wasp population depleted in this area(hope I haven't spoken too soon )
So far I haven't deployed any wasp traps .If/when I do they will be situated well clear of my apiary (I wish to attract away from rather than towards)
VM

 

[greatbritishhoney]

I'm sure I will regret bragging about this but....I haven't seen a single wasp in my apiary this year.
The only real difference compared to previous years (last year I was plagued with wasps) is that I have left narrow entrances all year and I have not put any wasp traps out.
Although, I do know that one of my neighbours killed off at least 4 wasp nests that he found on his property, so that could have had an effect.

 

[Monsieur Abeille]

They seem to have just started appearing in our area the past week or so. Not seen too many as yet, but others in the neighbourhood have been plagued by them.

 

[user 3204]

Waspies are only just getting their sweet tooth around here. No problems so far but 3 years ago it was a pitifull battle on all hives. Had to reduce to 2or 3 Bee spaces! Better get some traps made up now I've said that!