How to catch wasp nest with net?

[Juliangeckowasp]

I found a small wasp nest under the roof of my neighbors apartment, and I wanted to catch it for myself. I have a butterfly net and an enclosure too.

Here is the nest, may have to zoom in to see.


The net and enclosure I’m using

Ok so my problem is that I have NO IDEA how to catch a wasps nest with a butterfly net. How do I do it? Especially without being really nervous?

 

[viper69]

Wasps- they are just so docile- good luck

 

[kingshockey]

i would first get an accurate count of how many wasps there are then wait until late in the middle of the night go with a partner to hold a flash light to see with then use an amac box or some other clear box then use a step ladder and cup the entire nest like catching a t for rehouse then use stiff card board or somthing to seal the box off with at the same time knocking the nest off into the catch box have your partner shine light into the box to do a count to be sure you got all the wasps.pretty sure that nest will die since i have no idea if the wasps will still use it much less how you can attache into your cage for them or how you plan on getting them into your cage good luck

 

[BoyFromLA]

But first, are you trying to keep wasps as pets or trying to release them else where?

 

[Juliangeckowasp]

But first, are you trying to keep wasps as pets or trying to release them else where?

I’m trying to keep them as pets.

 

[NMTs]

I'm not sure if you're familiar with wasps, but they'll sting the crap out of you just for getting near their nest, let alone screwing with it. IF you manage somehow to get them and the nest into the box, how do you plan on feeding or watering them? Each time you disturb the enclosure to open it and put some kind of food in there, you'll literally be holding a box full of angry wasps. I've read some pretty bad ideas on these boards, and this one is right up there with the worst. I once tried to help a drowning wasp out of a swimming pool, thinking it would appreciate not dying. Guess what it did? Stung me 3 times then flew away. Thankless little turds... I've also been stung on the neck for unsuspectingly walking by a block wall that had a nest inside it. Not screwing with their nest, mind you - just walking by. I've also been stung on the wrist and forearm 4 times for reaching down to unplug a cord that was 6 feet below a nest I didn't even know was there... I also almost fell off my roof one year when I was working on the swamp cooler because I opened the electrical box to replace a fuse, and guess what was inside? A nest of about 40 really pissed off wasps that tried to kill me in unison. Have I mentioned this is a bad idea? As you can see, wasps and I do not have the best relationship. Save yourself the heartache and enjoy them from about 50 feet away...

 

[The Snark]

I'm not sure if you're familiar with wasps, but they'll sting the crap out of you just for getting near their nest,

I lost a half km of my favorite bike route to them making a nest in a low hanging tree. One day riding through there as usual I got hit about six times. Chased me about 20 feet from that tree.

 

[A cave cricket]

It copied lol.

 

[A cave cricket]

Wait for her to fly off into your front yard, make sure you're wearing gardening gloves as soon as it lands in the yard pounce on it with the net, it will immediately fly to the top of the net and then close off the top section in the net.
¶
You just caught yourself a wasp.

 

[Atabby]

I'm not sure if you're familiar with wasps, but they'll sting the crap out of you just for getting near their nest, let alone screwing with it. IF you manage somehow to get them and the nest into the box, how do you plan on feeding or watering them? Each time you disturb the enclosure to open it and put some kind of food in there, you'll literally be holding a box full of angry wasps.

There is some guy on YouTube or Instagram that has a channel showcasing his, uh,, obsession with wasps. He has tried to actually "live with them" and has several colonies he relocated to his bedroom. lol. He has been stung a lot. I think it's his shtick. Shaking my head. ok..
Of all the insects out there, wasps and yellow jackets come in dead last on my list of critters to even think about keeping. I don't care much for scorpions or centipedes but I'd keep some of those over wasps any day,

 

[A cave cricket]

There is some guy on YouTube or Instagram that has a channel showcasing his, uh,, obsession with wasps.

Just joshing.

 

[Juliangeckowasp]

I'm not sure if you're familiar with wasps, but they'll sting the crap out of you just for getting near their nest, let alone screwing with it. IF you manage somehow to get them and the nest into the box, how do you plan on feeding or watering them? Each time you disturb the enclosure to open it and put some kind of food in there, you'll literally be holding a box full of angry wasps. I've read some pretty bad ideas on these boards, and this one is right up there with the worst. I once tried to help a drowning wasp out of a swimming pool, thinking it would appreciate not dying. Guess what it did? Stung me 3 times then flew away. Thankless little turds... I've also been stung on the neck for unsuspectingly walking by a block wall that had a nest inside it. Not screwing with their nest, mind you - just walking by. I've also been stung on the wrist and forearm 4 times for reaching down to unplug a cord that was 6 feet below a nest I didn't even know was there... I also almost fell off my roof one year when I was working on the swamp cooler because I opened the electrical box to replace a fuse, and guess what was inside? A nest of about 40 really pissed off wasps that tried to kill me in unison. Have I mentioned this is a bad idea? As you can see, wasps and I do not have the best relationship. Save yourself the heartache and enjoy them from about 50 feet away...

My plan to feed and water them would be to tame them by putting some honey on my finger and feeding it to each individual. Basically, paper wasps (species Im catching) can actually learn to associate your finger with food, and once they do that, they’ll leave you alone so you can refill the food and water. And paper wasps are one of the most docile wasp species that will only sting either if you disturb the nest or try to kill them.

 

[NMTs]

My plan to feed and water them would be to tame them by putting some honey on my finger and feeding it to each individual. Basically, paper wasps (species Im catching) can actually learn to associate your finger with food, and once they do that, they’ll leave you alone so you can refill the food and water. And paper wasps are one of the most docile wasp species that will only sting either if you disturb the nest or try to kill them.

Good luck with that. I'm very familiar with paper wasps - they're the ones that I've had all my wonderful encounters with. If their nest is in an enclosure that you have to open each time you try to feed them (which, by the way, would need to take place about hourly), do you not think that would qualify as disturbing their nest? If you're dead-set on trying this, I would suggest you attempt it with one individual wasp, not an entire nest. You will never "tame" a wasp that is defending it's nest, let alone multiple wasps of the same mindset.

Your profile says you're 13. Make sure your parents are on board with this plan before you bring a box of wasps into your house! Also, tell your parents they need to limit the amount of time you spend watching youtube...

 

[Atabby]

Just joshing.

Lol, At first I thought,, "what do they mean? Just joshing?" Yes that is the guy.. I forgot his name, until I just googled. Keeping wasps as pets..

 

[CanebrakeRattlesnake]

I'm not sure if the OP is still active but I joined Arachnoboards because of this thread where someone was keeping paper wasps as pets, I definitely recommend checking it out.

Also... The fear of wasps "aggression" is insanely overblown. I have a wasp nest in my yard inside of an old wood stove, and I can turn the lid to open it and look at the nest... Not once have any of the wasps come out and stung me, including when I shove my macro lens right up to it for photos.

I regularly chase wasps (Polistes sp., Vespula sp., Dolichovespula maculata, etc.) around my yard with my macro lens, even picking them up or putting my hands near them, and they literally could not care less. Paper wasps are also adept at recognizing faces, so it's not a stretch to say that they can learn to recognize you and learn that you're not a threat to them or their nest.

I don't suggest just whacking away at the nest with a net. Wait until night when it cools off and all the wasps are inside, and then insert it into a bag or container. You can fasten it to the lid of the enclosure with thread or fishing line. Make sure that the enclosure is large enough for the wasps to fly around without injuring themselves by hitting into the walls of the container. It would be best if you had small holes in the container that you can open to insert food, nest building materials, etc. without a large gap that wasps can fly out of.

Wasps are severely misunderstood and misaligned animals, so I'm really happy to see other people interested in them! It's really sad seeing people getting upset at the idea of owning pet wasps, when most "normal" people would be equally upset and horrified at the fact that they own spiders.

I really wanted to build an aviary outside to keep paper wasps inside of, but my parents hated that idea so I haven't done it yet. Maybe some day!

 

[Juliangeckowasp]

I'm not sure if the OP is still active but I joined Arachnoboards because of this thread where someone was keeping paper wasps as pets, I definitely recommend checking it out.

Also... The fear of wasps "aggression" is insanely overblown. I have a wasp nest in my yard inside of an old wood stove, and I can turn the lid to open it and look at the nest... Not once have any of the wasps come out and stung me, including when I shove my macro lens right up to it for photos.

I regularly chase wasps (Polistes sp., Vespula sp., Dolichovespula maculata, etc.) around my yard with my macro lens, even picking them up or putting my hands near them, and they literally could not care less. Paper wasps are also adept at recognizing faces, so it's not a stretch to say that they can learn to recognize you and learn that you're not a threat to them or their nest.

I don't suggest just whacking away at the nest with a net. Wait until night when it cools off and all the wasps are inside, and then insert it into a bag or container. You can fasten it to the lid of the enclosure with thread or fishing line. Make sure that the enclosure is large enough for the wasps to fly around without injuring themselves by hitting into the walls of the container. It would be best if you had small holes in the container that you can open to insert food, nest building materials, etc. without a large gap that wasps can fly out of.

Wasps are severely misunderstood and misaligned animals, so I'm really happy to see other people interested in them! It's really sad seeing people getting upset at the idea of owning pet wasps, when most "normal" people would be equally upset and horrified at the fact that they own spiders.

I really wanted to build an aviary outside to keep paper wasps inside of, but my parents hated that idea so I haven't done it yet. Maybe some day!

Thanks for the tip! Maybe later today when it gets night, I’ll try everyone’s tips combined! I still read this thread btw…

 

[NMTs]

I'm not sure if the OP is still active but I joined Arachnoboards because of this thread where someone was keeping paper wasps as pets, I definitely recommend checking it out.

Also... The fear of wasps "aggression" is insanely overblown. I have a wasp nest in my yard inside of an old wood stove, and I can turn the lid to open it and look at the nest... Not once have any of the wasps come out and stung me, including when I shove my macro lens right up to it for photos.

I regularly chase wasps (Polistes sp., Vespula sp., Dolichovespula maculata, etc.) around my yard with my macro lens, even picking them up or putting my hands near them, and they literally could not care less. Paper wasps are also adept at recognizing faces, so it's not a stretch to say that they can learn to recognize you and learn that you're not a threat to them or their nest.

I don't suggest just whacking away at the nest with a net. Wait until night when it cools off and all the wasps are inside, and then insert it into a bag or container. You can fasten it to the lid of the enclosure with thread or fishing line. Make sure that the enclosure is large enough for the wasps to fly around without injuring themselves by hitting into the walls of the container. It would be best if you had small holes in the container that you can open to insert food, nest building materials, etc. without a large gap that wasps can fly out of.

Wasps are severely misunderstood and misaligned animals, so I'm really happy to see other people interested in them! It's really sad seeing people getting upset at the idea of owning pet wasps, when most "normal" people would be equally upset and horrified at the fact that they own spiders.

I really wanted to build an aviary outside to keep paper wasps inside of, but my parents hated that idea so I haven't done it yet. Maybe some day!

I guess the wasps where you're from just aren't as ill-tempered as the ones around here are. If you and the OP find some nice, affectionate wasps that really enjoy being kept in a jar in your bedroom, then knock yourselves out! Just out of curiosity, how long do captive wasps live?

 

[Atabby]

I will absolutely admit that although I have no fear of spiders and never have. I. am. terrified. of wasps. I have a phobia. Several very bad incidents of being stung multiple times and seeing my little sister chase my brother over a yellow jacket nest while we were camping, left me really really badly mentally traumatized. So I do have bias. But I don't think they are horrible creatures that need to be eradicated from the face of the Earth. I just have a hard time thinking about wasps as pets.. *shudders* Now.. I will say I have been entranced with Velvet ants.. Not to the point I would keep some,, but they are fascinating.

 

[CanebrakeRattlesnake]

I guess the wasps where you're from just aren't as ill-tempered as the ones around here are. If you and the OP find some nice, affectionate wasps that really enjoy being kept in a jar in your bedroom, then knock yourselves out! Just out of curiosity, how long do captive wasps live?

I've lived in plenty of different places all over the US and the only time I've ever been stung by a wasp is when I accidentally sat on one, so not sure what you guys are doing to upset them. Also no wasp would enjoy being kept in a jar, that's way too small of an enclosure.

I've never kept them before but I reckon they live as long as they do in the wild, with queens hibernating through winter.

 

[NMTs]

I've never kept them before but I reckon they live as long as they do in the wild, with queens hibernating through winter.

So you've never tried to collect an active wasp nest yourself? Wonder why that is...