Hornet nest removal between roof and solar panel

[SMR]

My friend has a hornets nest between the roof and solar panel. She isn't sure what kind of roof.
Any recommendations on how to get rid of them and not ruin the roof or solar panel?
Thanks

 

[UTTransplant]

Wait until early at night, then spray with a foam-style insecticide made for hornets. They go to the nest at night, and the foam traps them inside. Be a bit careful with the foam, but I know it doesn’t bother house paint or the vinyl coating on our gutters.

 

[tlmgcamp1]

I have a power washer. I would wait until after sunset when they are relatively dormant and blast them out, avoiding wires.

 

[woof-n]

If the nest completely exposed everything mentioned above will work. Best thing I have found wasp hornets and yellow jackets is to sprinkle some Seven dust in and around the hornet's entrance. The hornets walk through it and track it back to the nest. They will all be dead in 24 hour's I have never been disappointed. As others have said it is best to apply it in the evening. Good luck

 

[SMR]

Thanks I will pass this on to her. She's in Minnesota and I'm in Michigan so we can't help.

 

[Seilerbird]

I had a nest of hornets a few years ago. I had it removed by a professional and they were gone in less than a day.

 

[tlmgcamp1]

If the nest completely exposed everything mentioned above will work. Best thing I have found wasp hornets and yellow jackets is to sprinkle some Seven dust in and around the hornet's entrance. The hornets walk through it and track it back to the nest. They will all be dead in 24 hour's I have never been disappointed. As others have said it is best to apply it in the evening. Good luck

Be careful with Sevin. It is listed as a moderately to highly toxic neurotoxin.

 

[Seilerbird]

Be careful with Sevin. It is listed as a moderately to highly toxic neurotoxin.

Which is why I paid a pro to do the job.

 

[DutchmenSport]

High pressure hose will just blast the nest and scatter the hornets, even at night. You'll want to be 100 feet away if you do that. They WILL get you.

Your best option is a Hornet killer spray. When I camp hosted at Pilot Mountain State Park in North Carolina, we had on-going problems with under ground bees and hornets nesting right beside the tent pads, under ground. The solution was to shoot the location with the spray. It killed out the nest very quickly every time.

Once the critters are all dead, get on the roof the camper and remove the nest itself being careful that there may be some (literally) ... die hards ... still kicking.

 

[SMR]

She is waiting to hear back from a pro. I'll keep ya posted.

 

[Arch Hoagland]

I know two people who were killed by Bee stings. Hiring a professional is the best thing she can do so i was glad to hear SMR's reply.

 

[montenido]

This may be over-simplifying it, but why not just take a drive on the freeway? Wouldn't the road speed and wind get them out?


Cheers, Bill

 

[gwinger]

I know two people who were killed by Bee stings. Hiring a professional is the best thing she can do so i was glad to hear SMR's reply.

They are eperts and are going to be dressed properly.
I know exactly what can happen. I had a bald face hornet come after me when I accidentally disturbed a nest in a garage at work. One hornet, 7 stings. Spent 5 hours in the ER.

 

[bigbAZ]

I agree hornets are not something to mess with. They got me twice, once I went to drag a heavy planter across a patio and stuck my hands right into a hornets nest that was hidden. I got several stings on my fingertips, if felt like someone put needles under my fingernails.

The second time I was up on a parapet roof and opened a hinged cover on a disconnect, there was a nest inside. I ran across the roof but they chased me over to the corner of the parapet where I was trapped and got me in the knees.

 

[SMR]

Haven't heard back from her yet.

 

[gwinger]

Haven't heard back from her yet.

Hopefully she contracts with the exterminator to keep checking.
Even if they do get rid of the original nest, those buggers will be determined to rebuild.
We use a local company to control termites and ants.They also spray areas of our building with a "safe" organic liquid to deter them every 3 months.
I've seen hornets, wasps and bumble bees (wood borers) fly around our eaves and deck, but they don't land.

 

[permitwriter]

I've killed many hornet nests on our property over the years. Using foam and spraying at night are good ideas. In fact, spraying at night is required. I'm not so sure about the pressure washer. It might remove the nest but then you might have dozens of angry hornets flying around the next day. I don't know, I've never done that. If it still at the honeycomb stage, they are pretty easy to kill. Once they are enclosed in paper, it is harder. The spray doesn't seem to penetrate the paper so you have to find the opening and direct the spray in there. But in the confines of the space between the roof & panel, the foam could circle the nest and work pretty well.

The roof is a big problem because if things don't go well, you can't get away quickly. Unlike honey bees who sting once and die, one wasp can sting several times and not die. Even if you are not allergic, multiple stings can trigger a bad reaction so have one or more other people present in case things go badly. I would hire a pro. Let them get stung. If that's not feasible, a wasp proof outfit would be a good idea. A quick look on Amazon & I see outfits for $30 & up with good ratings and some that say it's wasp resistant. I'd make my own, starting with insulated coveralls. Good head covering is important. While they will sting anywhere, they like to go for the eyes. I've had them bounce off my glasses. Risky business.

 

[gwinger]

I've killed many hornet nests on our property over the years. Using foam and spraying at night are good ideas. In fact, spraying at night is required. I'm not so sure about the pressure washer. It might remove the nest but then you might have dozens of angry hornets flying around the next day. I don't know, I've never done that. If it still at the honeycomb stage, they are pretty easy to kill. Once they are enclosed in paper, it is harder. The spray doesn't seem to penetrate the paper so you have to find the opening and direct the spray in there. But in the confines of the space between the roof & panel, the foam could circle the nest and work pretty well.

The roof is a big problem because if things don't go well, you can't get away quickly. Unlike honey bees who sting once and die, one wasp can sting several times and not die. Even if you are not allergic, multiple stings can trigger a bad reaction so have one or more other people present in case things go badly. I would hire a pro. Let them get stung. If that's not feasible, a wasp proof outfit would be a good idea. A quick look on Amazon & I see outfits for $30 & up with good ratings and some that say it's wasp resistant. I'd make my own, starting with insulated coveralls. Good head covering is important. While they will sting anywhere, they like to go for the eyes. I've had them bounce off my glasses. Risky business.

Plus, the spray you buy at the local store only kills on contact. Once dry, they will return.
And when using any spray, wear a respirator and face shield.

 

[permitwriter]

Good suggestions for the safety equipment. Impervious gloves would be a good idea also.

 

[garyr1]

Park in a different location, even parking it in the opposite direction will work. When bees first emerge they create a mental map, they return to the same place. If it's not there they're not capable of finding it.