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Free Yellow Jacket and Hornet Removal
By Norman and Debbie Patterson
Yes, it is that time of year again. It's time when people run screaming from a band of angry yellow jackets and hornets. Poor unsuspecting folks will be terrorized while innocently mowing the lawn or trimming the hedges. Gallons of toxic pesticides will be sprayed into the environment trying to eliminate these pests.
Here's the good news. My wife and I are collecting yellow jackets and hornets for free. Their venom is extracted and used for sting-allergic patients. We are able to collect them for free because we will sell them to a laboratory. They will extract the venom and send it to your local doctor, who gives the venom in small amounts to those who are highly allergic. Tiny amounts of venom given this way can help desensitize people to the potential lethal effect of a sting. This is the only effective means to help people overcome this life-threatening problem.
Our work is very interesting. We have to collect the yellow jackets and hornets alive. They cannot be contaminated by any pesticides per order of the USDA. If you've sprayed the nest, please wait two weeks before you call us. Be honest if you've sprayed them—someone's life may depend on it. If you want to spray them, that is your choice. However, many people can't see the nest and wastefully unload a can of spray into the ground or a crack. This is a colossal waste; the nest is tucked away in safety and the yellow jackets hunker down and wait until the spray evaporates. These are the times when people realize spraying did no good and call me. Here is a word of advice: Call me first.
When you call please leave your name, number and address; we will contact you for a collection date. We will need access to power, and if the nest is up high, a ladder will be very helpful. If you put out a sign where the nest is located, that would help too. Many times I've gotten to a home and had a description where the nest was supposed to be, but I was unable to find it. A sign or lawn chair with a note can help.
We do not collect wasps. There is a yellow and black wasp that is new to the area that drives us crazy. We get hundreds of calls about this wasp. Here's the key: if you can see a nest with many holes in a "honeycomb" pattern, they are wasps. Yellow jackets are small and very numerous. By numerous, you will not see four or five, but literally hundreds coming and going.
People ask if we accept tips. Tips are always welcome because we have no guarantee of selling the insects. Don't feel you have to tip, but it's appreciated if you want to. This service is completely free if you have the variety of yellow jacket or hornet that we need. If we don't need it, we will instruct you on how you can get rid of the nest yourself. If you don't want to do it yourself, we will remove it for a fee. You can call us at 860-379-6078; if this is a toll call, you are probably outside of our collection area (we do collect in Avon, however).
One last note: before you mow or trim, take a moment and survey the area and look for consistent insect traffic. It only takes a moment and can save you lots of painful stings. We look forward to hearing from you.
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