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During the busy season, I get several hundred calls from all over Connecticut. I've traveled to Old Saybrook for a nest of Germanica yellow jackets that were nice and cozy in a woman's chimney. I made a trip to Cape Cod as well and had a wonderful time collecting there. Most of my calls come from Litchfield County. Typically, a person is out mowing or up on a ladder painting when they discover a nest. I'm always glad when a person discovers a nest the easy way; without getting stung. People usually don't see a nest until it is very large and very nasty. All too often nests are found the hard way. Last year, a little boy found he was playing on a yellow jacket nest. He suffered over 50 stings but was okay. I know the feeling because when I was little, I jumped on a nest. I remember running with what seemed like thousands of yellow jackets on me. I survived only to take revenge as an adult by collecting them for a Medical Lab. If the nest is a paper ball type, I will set up a vacuum and suck up as many as possible as they come and go. There is something weirdly satisfying in capturing hornets in a container. Generally, they don't even bother me as I stand at the opening to their nest. It's when I accidentally bump the nest that chaos reigns supreme. The hard part is not losing my nerve when standing 25 feet up on a ladder with a swarm of angry bald-faced hornets dive-bombing me. Some people jump out of airplanes, some drive fast cars, some bungee jump. Me? I stand at the opening of a hornet nest on top of a ladder. After I've sucked up most of the hornets, I will scrape the paper nest into a bag. This is the hard part. In any nest or hive of insects, some will not leave the young no matter what. They will fight to the end. If I do it right, the nest and all the left over hornets land in the bag. If I don't, I have some really angry nursemaids fiercely protecting their young. Ground nests are the easiest to collect. I take my specially designed vacuum and place the hose at the entrance. I get them coming and going. After about a half an hour, I begin to bang on the ground. This gets the ones in the ground really mad and they come piling out. It almost looks like they are boiling over they are so hot. Last year, I would sit and read a book while the vacuum hummed on and the yellow jackets got sucked up. It was quite peaceful. This year I am equipped with 3 vacuums. My hope is to set one up and let it run while I go to other houses. This way I can service as many people as possible and not leave anyone out for lack of time. I enjoy the appreciation people give for getting rid of their yellow jackets or hornets. I have a great sense of satisfaction that I've helped someone. If you find a nest of these creatures on your land or in your house please call me. I will remove them for FREE. I am not an exterminator. I will not use pesticides. If you choose to use some after I leave, I will instruct you to the best way to apply it. Often I will get most, if not all the adult workers and the nest will die. If it doesn't, I will come back and one more collection should finish the job. Have an extension cord or power source available. If the nest is up high, I will need a ladder. The only payment I want is that you will tell others about this free service. |
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