Removal of paper wasps

[starbuckozzie]

We have a nest of paper wasps on the inside of our front gate. Ideally I would like to live and let live, however, it's at kid height, is growing and the wasps are getting more active.

I've checked online for safe methods of removal and there isn't much information (apart from the old blowtorch or jet spray and run methods). Does anyone have any experience with this?

[Julianne]

We get paper wasps (which thankfully, aren't particularly aggressive), and we remove the nests with the gerney. Thing is, when we do, they seem to build another nest within a few weeks.

[starbuckozzie]

What's a gerney? I found "gurney" under high pressure cleaners; is that it?

I read that you can discourage wasps from settling in by removing food and water sources (e.g. pick up fallen fruit under trees, don't leave pet food out).

[Julianne]

Yes that's it, a high pressure cleaner, we just call them all gerney's, wasn't sure of the spelling.

[learnermum]

We had one on the clothes line, so Dh dealt with it. He managed to catch the wasp in a take away container with the nest. Not sure what he did with it then, but this was the only way it didn't return.
I had been knocking the nest off when the wasp wasn't in it but it would just rebuild!

[hanabi]

We torch them with an aerosol can and a lighter. Don't let kids see you do it!

[~sequoia~]

We do that as well Do it at night as they are less aggressive then.

[marniehau]

Early morning when it is cooler, I knock down the nest and squash thoroughly with the heel of my boot. I recommend removing the nests while they are small. The wasps may rebuild, but consistency of removal is the key :-)