This is a message from the Museumpests List. To post to this list send it as an email to pestlist@museumpests.net To unsubscribe please look at the footer of this email. ----------------------------------------------------------- I sent your question to one of the scientists here at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Dr. John Wenzel. His main area of study is wasps, and so has years of experience dealing with the little darlings and their nests. This is his recommendation.
Yes, pesticide, but use the "wasp freeze" stuff in the hardware store because it has a refrigerant that cools down the wasps and they can't fly out and sting you. Usually they shoot a jet that goes several feet so you can stand back a bit, which is also good. Standard bug sprays will kill them, but they may sting you before they die so you will be unhappy with that solution in the long run. Also, use the entire can, then you will be sure you really got them. Anyway, you aren't going to put it on the shelf and save it for years, right (you better not, it is a poison). If you can decipher the label, it would be best to get one whose active agent is pyrethrin, a natural compound found in chrysanthemums, lethal to insects and apparently harmless to vertebrates. It is unstable in air, so it decays rapidly, which is good. In a few days, there is no toxin at all, not even bugs will mind. This is very good. More commonly you see permethrin, which is synthetic. It is also good, but very toxic for cats and fish (harmless to humans in ordinary usage). As for actually removing the nest itself (not the wasps), that will have to be done physically when the wasps are dead. The protein they use to attach the nest is tough stuff, it is kind of laminar silk (rather than threadlike). You will have to grab the nest and pull it out. You should do this because if you don't, sometime later another wasp will come along and say, "hey, check this out, a great place to nest!" and you are back where you started. As always make sure that you look at what the chemicals are in the product to ensure that nothing will damage the metal sculpture. Good Luck! Gretchen Anderson Conservator Carnegie Museum of Natural History 5800 Baum Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15202 Phone (412)665-2607 anders...@carnegiemnh.org<mailto:anders...@carnegiemnh.org> http://www.carnegiemnh.org From: ad...@museumpests.net [mailto:ad...@museumpests.net] On Behalf Of Cutler, Scott Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2013 6:12 PM To: pestlist@museumpests.net Subject: Re: [pestlist] wasp nest in sculpture This is a message from the Museumpests List. To post to this list send it as an email to pestlist@museumpests.net<mailto:pestlist@museumpests.net> To unsubscribe please look at the footer of this email. ----------------------------------------------------------- You might consider freezing the nest with one of the following, assuming you could get in to remove the frozen nest once the treatment is complete. Note, I am not recommending any of these products, just suggesting the process. Scott Scott Cutler Curator of Collections & Exhibits Centennial Museum The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, Texas 79968-0533 (79902 shipping zip) 915-747-6668 scut...@utep.edu<mailto:scut...@utep.edu> Bee & Wasp Spray: Professional Freeze http://www.amazon.com/Bee-Wasp-Spray-Professional-Freeze/dp/B0001LE2D4 There are also a number of freeze sprays that are sold for use on electronics, for example: http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/PTR-7400/FREEZE-SPRAY-10-OZ-CAN/1.html http://www.alliedelec.com/chemicals/freeze-sprays/ Also, some fire extinguishers will create a chill/freeze when used. It might cool things down enough for you to get in and remove the nest without getting stung. From: "Morris, Bernice" <bernice.mor...@philamuseum.org<mailto:bernice.mor...@philamuseum.org>> Reply-To: "pestlist@museumpests.net<mailto:pestlist@museumpests.net>" <pestlist@museumpests.net<mailto:pestlist@museumpests.net>> Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 12:17:29 -0600 To: "pestlist@museumpests.Net<mailto:pestlist@museumpests.Net>" <pestlist@museumpests.Net<mailto:pestlist@museumpests.Net>> Subject: [pestlist] wasp nest in sculpture This is a message from the Museumpests List. To post to this list send it as an email to pestlist@museumpests.net<mailto:pestlist@museumpests.net> To unsubscribe please look at the footer of this email. ----------------------------------------------------------- Does anyone have any recommendations on how to remove a wasps nest from a steel and bronze outdoor sculpture? It seems that the nest is embedded somewhat within the sculpture so there is limited physical access. I'm starting to think a pesticide will be necessary... Thank you all, Bernice Bernice Morris Assistant Conservator of Costume and Textiles Philadelphia Museum of Art 215-684-7579 bernice.mor...@philamuseum.org<mailto:bernice.mor...@philamuseum.org> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To send an email to the list, send your msg to pestlist@museumpests.Net<mailto:pestlist@museumpests.Net> To unsubscribe from this list send an email to pestlist@museumpests.net<mailto:pestlist@museumpests.net> and in the subject put: "unsubscribe" - no quotes please. You are receiving the Pestlist emails in standard mode. 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