Insecticide for Red Wasps - Koi Forum - Koi-Bito Magazine

FrPhotoChef · 03-23-2008

Does anyone know of an insecticide that will kill wasps and hornets and is safe for use around koi? Or can anyone suggest another method to remove them?

We have been plagued with Red Wasps since installing a koi pond last year. I just found that the nest is in the hollow underbelly of an ornamental heron in the middle of the pond. Obviously, moving the heron runs the risk of nasty stings; using a soap film fogger isn't good for the pond or fish, and most insecticides are harmful.

Any ideas?

Also, I noticed one of the wasps had fallen into the water the other day and was so waterlogged could not dry its wings and fly. The koi were interested in the movement but none made a move to eat it. I'm new to koi, and want to know if they are instinctively programmed not to eat something potentially harmful like that. I'm assuming eating a living hornet would produce some nasty stings in the mouth and gullet.

luke frisbee · 03-23-2008

well where do you live?
The best thing is to do it at night with a strong flashlight... the colder the night the better. they don't move much in the cold. as long as you are not in the beam of light they do not see or fear you...you can get quite close and spray a small amount on the nest and adults while staying behind the beam of light.
More fun is using fire at night.

if they are over the pond and you are concerned about them falling in and poisoning the fish you can use an aerosol glue.

FrPhotoChef · 03-23-2008

Alas, cold is past us. I'm in San Antonio, TX and spring sprung weeks and weeks ago.

Wouldn't the arasol glue be damaging to the fish as well?

luke frisbee · 03-23-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrPhotoChef

Alas, cold is past us. I'm in San Antonio, TX and spring sprung weeks and weeks ago.

Wouldn't the arasol glue be damaging to the fish as well?

Nope you will have cold nights..at least the wasps will think they are too cold to fly...
Um th eglue..yeah do not spray it on your koi....just on the nest and occupants..it is glue.
if one or two fall in the pond when you do it (AT NIGHT or early morning before light would be coolest) the koi are not going to be real keen on going after it...you do have a net?

Ok maybe i better draw a picture.....

PapaBear · 03-23-2008

I gotta ask. Other than providing a great nest for the Red Wasps, why do you have a plastic heron in the pond??? Hint #1 Duck hunters don't put out decoy ducks to scare real ducks away. It is the signal to the flock to "come on in, the water is fine and there's plenty to eat!" Ornamental herons send pretty much the same signal to their hungry friends with an appetite for your entire koi collection.
BTW, Luke's spray glue idea is pretty good for the waspers. Cheap hairspray works too, but the glue would probably be more fish friendly if you are slow with the net...

luke frisbee · 03-23-2008

Hair spray and a Lighter..
now we are cooking

Nancy M. · 03-23-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapaBear

I gotta ask. Other than providing a great nest for the Red Wasps, why do you have a plastic heron in the pond??? Hint #1 Duck hunters don't put out decoy ducks to scare real ducks away. It is the signal to the flock to "come on in, the water is fine and there's plenty to eat!" Ornamental herons send pretty much the same signal to their hungry friends with an appetite for your entire koi collection.
BTW, Luke's spray glue idea is pretty good for the waspers. Cheap hairspray works too, but the glue would probably be more fish friendly if you are slow with the net...

Sushi bar anyone

carolyn swanson · 03-23-2008

I would be tempted just to wrap it up quickly with plastic wrap and let them die on their own or move the heron somewhere else to spray them.

luke frisbee · 03-23-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by carolyn swanson

I would be tempted just to wrap it up quickly with plastic wrap and let them die on their own or move the heron somewhere else to spray them.

I was thinking "great Stuff" it full

FrPhotoChef · 03-23-2008

Actually, in San Antonio it would be Pink PLastic Flamingos, but they would be in the front yard. The herons I have are metalic, and, since you din't seem to know, are solitary feeders. A pair might work in proximity to one another but that sends the message to others to stay away.

03-23-2008	#1 (permalink)
FrPhotoChef Fry Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3	Insecticide for Red Wasps Does anyone know of an insecticide that will kill wasps and hornets and is safe for use around koi? Or can anyone suggest another method to remove them? We have been plagued with Red Wasps since installing a koi pond last year. I just found that the nest is in the hollow underbelly of an ornamental heron in the middle of the pond. Obviously, moving the heron runs the risk of nasty stings; using a soap film fogger isn't good for the pond or fish, and most insecticides are harmful. Any ideas? Also, I noticed one of the wasps had fallen into the water the other day and was so waterlogged could not dry its wings and fly. The koi were interested in the movement but none made a move to eat it. I'm new to koi, and want to know if they are instinctively programmed not to eat something potentially harmful like that. I'm assuming eating a living hornet would produce some nasty stings in the mouth and gullet.

03-23-2008	#3 (permalink)
FrPhotoChef Fry Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3	reply Alas, cold is past us. I'm in San Antonio, TX and spring sprung weeks and weeks ago. Wouldn't the arasol glue be damaging to the fish as well?

03-23-2008	#5 (permalink)
PapaBear Oyagoi Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Davenport, Oklahoma Posts: 1,770	I gotta ask. Other than providing a great nest for the Red Wasps, why do you have a plastic heron in the pond??? Hint #1 Duck hunters don't put out decoy ducks to scare real ducks away. It is the signal to the flock to "come on in, the water is fine and there's plenty to eat!" Ornamental herons send pretty much the same signal to their hungry friends with an appetite for your entire koi collection. BTW, Luke's spray glue idea is pretty good for the waspers. Cheap hairspray works too, but the glue would probably be more fish friendly if you are slow with the net... __________________ Larry Iles Oklahoma

03-23-2008	#10 (permalink)
FrPhotoChef Fry Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3	Herons Actually, in San Antonio it would be Pink PLastic Flamingos, but they would be in the front yard. The herons I have are metalic, and, since you din't seem to know, are solitary feeders. A pair might work in proximity to one another but that sends the message to others to stay away.

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03-23-2008	#2 (permalink)
luke frisbee Oyagoi Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,451	well where do you live? The best thing is to do it at night with a strong flashlight... the colder the night the better. they don't move much in the cold. as long as you are not in the beam of light they do not see or fear you...you can get quite close and spray a small amount on the nest and adults while staying behind the beam of light. More fun is using fire at night. if they are over the pond and you are concerned about them falling in and poisoning the fish you can use an aerosol glue.

03-23-2008	#6 (permalink)
luke frisbee Oyagoi Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,451	Hair spray and a Lighter.. now we are cooking

03-23-2008	#8 (permalink)
carolyn swanson Sansai Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 222	I would be tempted just to wrap it up quickly with plastic wrap and let them die on their own or move the heron somewhere else to spray them.