Annual problem

[davidmcg]

Well folks its springtime/summer depending on where you are and once again I am faced with my annual problem and looking for some help. The problem is wasps, hornets and mud daubers making their nests in my smokers. I use at least one of my smokers once a week. Sometimes more often, sometimes all of them at once. Never fails when I open them up, bees go everywhere and at me. Heck today I wasn't even using them, I was just moving them so I could mow in that area and out the wasps came and away I went. I don't leave the water pan in them anymore. Somebody mentioned that might be the problem with residuals left in there and all. All of the smokers are clean inside, nothing sweet left. But the aroma you can't get rid of, of course. Any suggestions?

 

[seboke]

Mah that sucks!!! I get wasps all around, no bees, but never in my smoker. Main problems are in the holes behind the electric boxes for my A/C unit and pool pump, the outdoor ceiling fan motor, and in the enormous vine mass that has absorbed a big section of my privacy fence. An obvious question - do you cover up all the gaps and holes that they can get into?

 

[smokin out the neighbors]

With wasps, I don't think it has anything to do with water, residue, sweets, etc. It is just a sheltered place to hide. Try covering, capping, and sealing everything to keep them out.

 

[davidmcg]

As near as I can tell. I even thought at first it was just the cover I put over them, but the critters are getting inside the vertical smoker somehow. Can't cover the ECB though with that open bottom. I put aluminum foil on the bottom and top today and held it in place with ratchet straps after they dispersed. We'll see how that goes. Yup had that problem with the pool also. Found a cure for them there. The pool went bye-bye last year after costs to operate it went way to high for my benefit. Wife didn't like that decision.

 

[waysideranch]

Darn bugs like that smell of Smoke. Good luck.

 

[kookie]

All I can think of is see if they make some kind of spray that you can treat your yard with to get rid of the bees and wasps, also maybe put up abounch of those wasp/bee traps around your yard/smoker area.....They might atleast cut down on the bees and such..............

 

[mcp9]

im gonna say that the best solution to this problem is to KNOW that the wasps are going to be in the smoker and allow extra time to get them out. that is what im planning. i can foresee this being a problem of mine. u definitely dont want to spray your smoker, unless its with a water hose. just know that it is a problem and allow a little extra time.

 

[bertjo44]

Yikes, this will be my first summer with my smoker. Hope I don't have that problem. Never had it with my grill though, you guys?

 

[travcoman45]

Fire it up before ya move it or use it, that'll give'em a welcome they won't soon ferget!

 

[jerrykr]

I learned this from my daddy.

If you spot a wasp nest, leave it alone until after dark. Go back with a flashlight and wasp spray. They will all be on the nest and unless you stir them up, they won't fly or attack you. Hit 'em with the wasp spray, and that nest is done, they are all dead.

If you attack them during daylight, some of them will not be there and you will not get them, also they might fly up behind you and find you attacking their nest, and attack you.

We have yellow jackets around here and they are wicked! You usually don't find their nest until they have already attacked you. They don't mess around, they go for your head. nasty boogers!

 

[oillogger]

In addition to spraying insect killer around your smokers you may want to put a wasp/bee trap near your smokers. Maybe also try draping mosquito netting over your smokers.

 

[funh2o]

David,
Here is a trap that I use around the house. It is simple to make and it really works great. I usually use a can of Mountain Dew or 7-up and even add a little sugar just to make it sweeter. Once they get in there, they can't get out again.

Give it a try and let me know how it works for you.

http://www.pestcontrolcanada.com/INSECTS/wasp_traps.htm

Hope this helps

Happy Smokin

Steve

 

[fred420]

want to use something safer to spray around kids and pets??hairspray kills the rotten little suckers well..stiffens wings so they cannot fly and suffocates them--they breathe through their skin....works wonders and is a lot cheaper than pesticides..smells crappy but less scary i think...

 

[fred420]

harbor freight sells plastic flower head looking things you put in a 2 liter bottle..they tell you a recipe for attractant that is all natural..works great--i put up several in my yard..uses pop, water, sugar, a piece of meat..not at all harmful, and cheap..

 

[ajthepoolman]

I would recommend waiting until 11 o'clock at night and firing up the smoker with as much heat as you can bring. They will be dormant at that time and those that don't die from the heat can be shot down with some bug spray.

 

[bb53chevpro]

WD-40 works great on yellow jackets and wasps.
Andy.