Removing a Wasp Nest From a Crack

Porch Henry wrote:

There are protected endangered species in the US as well... can result in a fine up to $100,000, according to the endangered species act. Doesn't include bees but probably should, imo

How would you know? I mean seriously? For all you know  from this thread they could be africanized bees, an invasive species  Probably close enough to have spread there by now. Or yellow jacket worthless shits. Maybe you have inside info, so I ask. 

Peter Underwoodwrote:

Beekeeper climber: Most wasp species colonies (& would need pics to confirm what type of wasp or bee) will die out over late fall & winter.  They won't occupy same nest site (unless honey bee, though they could occupy different section of same crack/ void space).  Consider finishing project next spring & let nature take its course.  Pollinator & most all insect species are having rather rough go of it these days.  Gave up on a crag last year I was hoping to develop when honey bee colony moved in after I placed just 1 bolt ... and these could likely be around for years.  Oddly, I was planning to name crag Apis Rock.

 What would you say if it was a honey bee, but an Africanized one? Let it chill and kill?

Porch Henry wrote:

There are protected endangered species in the US as well... can result in a fine up to $100,000, according to the endangered species act. Doesn't include bees but probably should, imo

Are you sure? I can go buy wasp killing spray at any hardware store. Any reasonable person understands removing stinging, flying, venomous insects from places where people spend a lot of time (like your house, or a playground) and I think an established, popular climbing area would be in the same category. Could you imagine; "there are tons more attacks, but thank god polar bears aren't endangered any more". Pretty silly that we draw the line at killing like six pests, but everyone's totally cool to burn gasoline to drive to the crag and use equipment made of materials that will never degrade and pollute the environment when thrown away. I'm not trying to say we shouldn't try to be conscious and reduce our impact, but it shouldn't come as a surprise when a wasp nest gets nuked because it's ruining everyone's favorite hang out spot.

I thought there were rules in place in various state parks against even picking mushrooms or berries. Surely wontonly killing something is also covered? But I'm curious what the park person says.

Rasputin,  you and Bobby are confused what he said.  He said there are (meaning other) protected species that carry fines.  He was responding to Carolina’s response to Jim.
he didn’t say yellow-jackets are protected.

Edit:  and Jonas makes a good point States/Parks, etc.  will definitely have separate rules.   Different that taking out a nest on your own deck.  

Brandt Allenwrote:

Or, you could leave them in peace in their home.

If you've bought even one piece of climbing gear, you've done more irreparable environmental damage than killing 10,000 wasps would do. Good virch though. 

Leave them 6 wasps alone! No need to poison them because you're frightened.

Ryan Bondwrote:

If you've bought even one piece of climbing gear, you've done more irreparable environmental damage than killing 10,000 wasps would do. Good virch though. 

With this logic it doesn't matter what we do the rest of our lives. 

Ryan Bondwrote:

If you've bought even one piece of climbing gear, you've done more irreparable environmental damage than killing 10,000 wasps would do. Good virch though. 

What a take 

If you want do it in style... assuming the fall is clean below,  get some good gear, 2 pieces if needed,  a few feet below. Get up to the sprain, spray it, then take the fall. If you fall a few meters below the nest I'm pretty sure you'll be fine.

Haven't tried it myself, but I'd love to see it done!

Cherokee Nuneswrote:

Leave them 6 wasps alone! No need to poison them because you're frightened.

They can kill some people. They can even kill people who think they're not allergic as it often only takes one additional bite.

Good training for The Rock Warriors Way.  They smell fear, and attack.  Stay calm, and cruise.  

You asked because you had doubts about killing creatures for sport.  If there is any doubt, there is no doubt. 

Stileswrote:

Good training for The Rock Warriors Way.  They smell fear, and attack.  Stay calm, and cruise.  

You asked because you had doubts about killing creatures for sport.  If there is any doubt, there is no doubt. 

I, too, enjoy psychedelics

Focus on your performance, not the murder 

They can kill some people.

I know a guy who was literally frightened to death by a single wasp! 

Cherokee Nuneswrote:

I know a guy who was literally frightened to death by a single wasp! 

I once had to rummage through the pack of  someone I didn’t know to find their emergency epi pen after they were stung on an adjacent climb. Please take your dismissive comments elsewhere. 

Joel Maywrote:

 I discovered a nest of at least 6 wasps in the crack right at the crux. 

Pretty sure by the season (late) & count (six-ish) that you're dealing with some variety of polistes/paper wasps, which do good by consuming caterpillars (the caterpillars have a different take on this, surely).  You might be able to put in some vision buffer so that you don't see each other?!  Otherwise, yes, winter removes them.  (This from a guy who one time long ago salvaged a knocked-down bald-faced hornets nest (early season, tiny, queen and maybe half-dozen others, captured w/net), and mounted it in a plastic gallon milk carton taped to a porch window for season-long show'n'tell.  Alas, they never expanded upon the one comb --football-sized nests can have many layers.  I still have the nest.)  (-;

I mean.. I don’t think people should be spraying insecticide in Eldo for wasps, they’ll be gone before you know it. But like.. Killing wasps is easily on the top ten most enjoyable activities list for me. Others include dodging mosquitos and laughing at them, flipping off poison ivy as I walk by it and screaming at freak storms that appear when the forecast said it was going to be perfect conditions.

Go kill a wasp. I promise you’ll sleep better tonight.

i think the wasps at the crux make a 5.11 route a 5.12, so if anything it’s a golden opportunity to climb a whole number grade higher without having to crimp any harder. i say go for it?

Some flies are pollinators and are striped like yellow jackets, enjoy landing on humans and do not sting. Be sure of what you kill.

Dan Mackwrote:

With this logic it doesn't matter what we do the rest of our lives. 

I feel so free now

MP really turned a discussion about spraying a wasp nest into 3 pages....