Central Texas Paper Wasps

[dkode]

Pool is in Austin, TX and every year around this time my pool has frequent visitors of paper wasps.

Yesterday I disposed of 5 nests from my soffits and I assume they're also nesting on all my neighbors houses. I also see them flying out of gutters so I assume they're in there too.

Routinely there's 2-3 flying around my pool for the water. A couple of weeks ago a friend got stung on the back by one.

Is there any mitigation to apply or something I can do to get them to go away?

Thanks.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

There is lots of anecdotal evidence that SKILL-IT works. My neighbor even asked me about and gave it try. She's a finance person and understands data analysis very well and we joked about how her one-off success with it qualified as 100% Accurate Anecdotal Evidence

Skill-It is just a standard linear quat algaecide. While not anything great to add to a pool, it will really do no harm and it goes away with time and chlorination ... so maybe give it a try and then we'll have exactly two data points from which to extrapolate infinite success!!

 

[Texas Splash]

Yellow Jackets land on our water to fill-up as I suspect they go back to make the nests all over. I received my annual Yellow Jacket vaccine just over a week ago. If you figure out how to keep them away please let me know.

 

[Orion7319]

We treat our squadron of dragonflies as pets. We let them land on us all day long. No wasp, Yellowjacket or hornet seems to want anything to do with those suckers. They are my favorite type of bug. I think they come to our pool from the creek in our neighborhood.

Do Dragonflies Eat Wasps? Here's Why It Is A Predator Of Insects

Do dragonflies eat wasps? Find out everything you need to know about these predators of insects and more interesting dragonflies facts!

kidadl.com

 

[nwardoh]

They make traps for them. Check a farm supply store.

 

[Andy49]

Will adding borates to the pool discourage them?

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Will adding borates to the pool discourage them?

I have not noticed any significant effect on wasps with borates, even at the higher levels I typically use (60-80ppm).

 

[AquaCurious]

With this recent stretch of hot temps and no rain we have seen an increase in wasps which is annoying. So far this year each swimmer swims armed with one of these, usually multiple at the same time. They have been most effective at dispatching these aggressive pool water drinkers and a great satisfaction after doing so As soon as they land on the water or pool deck....SMACK and flick into the landscaping. The most in one swim was around 8. These particular ones are sold at Target.

 

[mgtfp]

So far this year each swimmer swims armed with one of these, usually multiple at the same time.

I guess they double up as hand paddles, so a double work out effect: Swim and SMACK, you just set a new trend.

 

[Bperry]

Hardware stores sell traps. My traps seem to fill up ok so they must work. Best to find the nest and get rid of it though.

 

[Darin]

You can follow them back to the nest and then spray it when the sun goes down if you are afraid of them. There is not magic poison to blanket your backyard, they have wings to fly in. Besides why spread insecticide around when you don't need to.