I've got two medium sized red oak trees in my yard and they're just swarming with all kinds of wasps, hornets, and honeybees. There's no nests or hives anywhere close - I just think that they're drawn to the leaves in this hot weather. Does anybody know of anything to spray on the leaves that would act as a repellent? Please don't say to just use wasp spray - I'd be there all day long shooting these guys down.
I have never had problems with bees in trees other than when I had to call the city of Oro Valley because of swarming killer bees at my son's bus stop. However, last week I had to use insect spray on a tree that had cocoons of silk. It worked. The spray was a broad spectrum insecticide that you hook up to a garden hose. I think the spray had pyrethrin or a derivative of it. The spray reached probably 30-40 ft high and took about 10 minutes. In any case, just go to a nursery and look for a broad spectrum insect spray. It isn't very expensive and I guarantee that it will work.
May I first suggest you go to natural or ogranic gardener or nursery before using chemicals? There is most likely a natural solution that has no side affects. If not, blast away with the chemicals. I know in Austin there is the Natural Gardener but there are others as well. Surely a quick google search can give you a host of ideas. I discovered that a dish soap and water combination in a spray bottle gets rid of wasps and bees around the exterior of the house. Also, a vinegar and dish soap mixture (little soap) kills weeds and other things but the natural ph of the soil returns in 2 days like nothing ever happened.
They are beneficial insects. Wasps eat worms. Do you have a lot of worms in the trees? The Honey Bees are confusing, either they have a nest there or they don't. I don't think they would be getting nectar or pollen from those trees. Are your trees leaking sap?
I have all kinds of wasps and hornets flying around outside my home. The only time I do anything to them is when a nest appears on my front porch or close to any doors. If I look up into my oak trees I can see a bunch flying around but if they don't bother me I don't bother them.
We had a dog that used to eat bees. Every once in awhile he would get stung on the snout. After the first sting, I'm not sure that he could smell fear anymore.
Probably just swarming. Happens every year. I would bet they will be gone in a day or two. With the bee shortage, it is important not to kill them unless they are putting your family in danger.
