Ian Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 I removed our wood burning stove a couple of months ago, to repair it. At the time, I sealed off the flue with a plastic bag, to keep dust and draughts down.Today, I noticed there were at least 4 wasps in the bag. Suspecting the worst, I went outside and looked at the top of the chimney with a pair of binoculars. Yup - wasps flying around.So, what do I do? I can't get up there to spray them. I was going to have the chimney swept before I put the stove back, but I don't think the ramoneur would be too pleased to find he'd disturbed a wasp's nest. Or, I could re-install the stove without having the chimney swept (it should be reasonably clear) but that won't be for a couple of weeks. Will they have built a big nest and blocked the chimney by then? IS it possible/advised to smoke them out like that?Any ideas/advice?Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomoss Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 I would suggest lighting a small fire to smoke the blighters out before sweeping the chimney, as it is quite possible that it is completely blocked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardian Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 That sounds like good advice.If however that doesn't work, maybe a chat with the ramoneur? Agreed, he probably wouldn't be keen on attempting a sweep, but he'll have encountered the problem before and would probably have a better solution than any of us could come up with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted August 22, 2017 Author Share Posted August 22, 2017 Thanks, nomoss, but since I posted, my french neighbour phoned the local (volunteer) pompiers.Yes, they'll deal with it.We'll have to wait for a few days till it's convenient, and it'll cost €80, but it'll be done. And, I'm more than happy to pay them - they're all volunteers.In the meantime, I may look for some form of smoking poison - there's a very good draught in the chimney, so I could place it in the horizontal t-piece, where the stove slots in, and let it smoulder away. On the other hand, I may just leave well alone......Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericd Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Burn them ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loiseau Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 If your pompiers aren't interested in coming out, like mine weren't, turn to "pages jaunes" for things like "hygiene, dératisation, désinsectisation, désinfection" in your department, and some suitable enterprise will come up in the area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alittlebitfrench Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Be careful, they may be Asian Hornets (frelons asiatique) and they have a nasty temper if you pîss them off.Pay your 80 euros. We paid 85 euros to get rid of our Asian Hornets nest. Took 15 mins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mogs Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Last week I found a wasp nest in our pool shed. I bought some stuff, which cost 30 odd euros but could be sprayed from a distance of 10 metres. It killed them instantly. Very strong product. Perhaps you could spray up your chimney, wear a mask though. It was an "Actif" brand.Good luck with the annoying creatures, do they have a useful purpose?... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Zoff Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 If you Google the subject, you can find quite a lot of information on the pros and cons of wasps, with some surprising pros - but not enough perhaps to justify leaving a nest of them inside the house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted August 26, 2017 Author Share Posted August 26, 2017 Well, the Pompiers (two of them) came yesterday evening.They erected ladders to the top of the chimney, then one climbed up for a look. "No more wasps, but perhaps the start of a small nest" was what I think he said. Anyway, he sent the younger guy up (in full isolation suit) to spray in and around the chimney.Then we settled down with a beer, while he completed the paperwork. €80 in total, to be paid to the local Tresorie. Perhaps, it was unnecessary, but I'd rather be certain.Thanks for all the help and advice. Our magazines Most Read Quiz: How French are you? 21 traditional villages in Provence you should stroll through 11 things you need to know about French pharmacies The most desirable places to buy a second home in France What French things do you miss most when you’re not in France? Regions of France Enter our competitionsWin books, DVDs, travel and even holidays in France in our great competitions! Take a look at our latest competitions…Enter now Join us on social media France magazine Living France magazine French Property News magazine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyaudeman Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Quotes Be careful, they may be Asian Hornets (frelons asiatique) and they have a nasty temper if you pîss them off. Good luck with the annoying creatures, do they have a useful purpose?...My 21 years of knowing Asian Hornets are they are not hot tempered and probably less aggressive than the European species and they do not fly at nightAs for a purpose yes many garden pests are whipped away and eatenPaper Wasps are the worst Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Zoff Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 I used to tolerate the paper wasps that regularly built their "umbrella" nests on our shutters. They didn't trouble us as long as we left them alone and they tended to avoid coming into the house, even if the windows were wide open. They are however very protective of the nest, which I discovered when I tried to reposition a shutter to keep a nest out of the full sun. At some critical point I was regarded as a threat and was chased across the bedroom by the whole swarm. I received several stings on my arms but am apparently very fortunate in not being very susceptible to their poison so it felt little worse than nettle stings. I later discovered that they can be very serious - even fatal - for some people; so, somewhat reluctantly, I now discourage their nest building in the interests of family and other guests who might not be so lucky. Shame, really, as I used to be fascinated by the nests and, as has been mentioned, they are useful for pollination and controlling other pests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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