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Removing a Wasp Nest From a Crack

Original Post
Joel May · · Denver, CO · Joined Apr 2019 · Points: 20

There is a route that I want to project, but on my first time rigging a top rope on it (yesterday), I discovered a nest of at least 6 wasps in the crack right at the crux. They didn’t sting me as I lowered down, but two came out of the crack and were flexing on me (I ended up having to jug back up to clean all the directionals, much to my partner’s amusement). 

My plan is to get some wasp spray with one of those long, thin plastic noses, lower down into the route and spray the shit out of them, then spray that section of the crack with water to try to wash the wasp spray out.

Does anyone have any experience/recommendations as to how to go about doing this? Is there a better/safer way? Am I an idiot?

Also, the rock is Eldo sandstone. 

Joel May · · Denver, CO · Joined Apr 2019 · Points: 20
R K wrote:

9/10 

Haha this is a legitimate question. 

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
Joel May wrote:

There is a route that I want to project, but on my first time rigging a top rope on it (yesterday), I discovered a nest of at least 6 wasps in the crack right at the crux. They didn’t sting me as I lowered down, but two came out of the crack and were flexing on me (I ended up having to jug back up to clean all the directionals, much to my partner’s amusement). 

My plan is to get some wasp spray with one of those long, thin plastic noses, lower down into the route and spray the shit out of them, then spray that section of the crack with water to try to wash the spray out.

Does anyone have any experience/recommendations as to how to go about doing this? Is there a better/safer way? Am I an idiot?

Also, the rock is Eldo sandstone. 

Exactly what I've done BITD at the Gunks.

Joel May · · Denver, CO · Joined Apr 2019 · Points: 20
Marc801 C wrote:

Exactly what I've done BITD at the Gunks.

Thanks! Did you find that they more or less died on contact with the spray? 

TaylorP · · Pump Haus, Sonora · Joined Oct 2016 · Points: 0

Wait until night time, they will be sleeping and not swarm out (I'm serious). Then hit the hive with the spray 

Brandt Allen · · Joshua Tree, Cal · Joined Jan 2004 · Points: 220

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

Peter Underwood · · Tucson · Joined Sep 2018 · Points: 211

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.

M A · · CA · Joined Jun 2015 · Points: 22

I did this once for yellow jackets because yellow jackets are dicks. I bought some peppermint oil based "natural" spray and rapped in and housed them down. 

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
Joel May wrote:

Thanks! Did you find that they more or less died on contact with the spray? 

Maybe not on contact, but within seconds. They start dying immediately and can still sting randomly, so don't be under them when they're falling out of the nest.

Ney Grant · · Pollock Pines, CA · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 1,390

Thank you Peter, great information. My wife just got stung by wasps reaching in a pocket at Clark Canyon CA and I posted a comment on the route. I'll repost what you wrote - that basically next year will be fine.

James Frost · · Prescott, AZ · Joined Jun 2019 · Points: 684

Send it with the wasps still there, then spray about how rad it was.

dindolino32 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 25

Consider it like a rainy day and wait it out. Your project isn’t that important. You started projecting it yesterday!!!

Mike · · Phoenix · Joined May 2006 · Points: 2,615

Peter Underwood just got my first ever 'Like' here for an excellent post. I agree with him, let it wait. However if you don't want to wait, you could always practice climbing around wasps on this: The Wasp Factory   I was surrounded by a couple hundred wasps when climbing it. After this, your route won't feel so bad!

Jim Titt · · Germany · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 490

I'd have though insects are having a hard enough time already with the fires and smoke. Incidentally here in Germany killing them would be up to €50,000 fine.

Mark Pilate · · MN · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 25

Unless they’re murder hornets, I’d chill.  

Joel May · · Denver, CO · Joined Apr 2019 · Points: 20

Thank you to everyone for the input, and for your concern for these 6 wasps. I have contacted the park and am going to figure out what type of wasp this is and what role it plays in the ecosystem there. If they are pollinators or have any other significant role, I will leave them alone. 

Erroneous Publicus · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 60

Ground up on lead with a bic lighter and a can of WD 40 would be the purest style.  

Parachute Adams · · At the end of the line · Joined Mar 2019 · Points: 0
Peter Underwood wrote:

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.

Beekeeper here as well and agree completely. Leave them alone.

Good idea to let those who run the park know about them but at that point leave it up to them to handle it. It's only a climb that isn't going anywhere. The wasp will soon be gone. 

Jay Goodwin · · OR-NV-CA-ID-WY · Joined May 2016 · Points: 13

Agree with bee keepers and Brandt -  wait. It's their home/nursery and our playground. Priorities.....

Carolina · · Front Range NC · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 20
Jim Titt wrote:

I'd have though insects are having a hard enough time already with the fires and smoke. Incidentally here in Germany killing them would be up to €50,000 fine.

And if anyone was wondering why Americans love their freedom.  

Early morning or evening they will be calmed down and a good time to mechanically knock the nest down.  Dish soap also works well for economical spray solution.  

Seriously Moderate Climber · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2017 · Points: 0

What route in Eldo?

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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