Removing an azalea bush with yellowjackets

Posted by Jason Carlton on October 2, 2009, 4:53 pm

My front yard has (had) 2 azalea bushes beside of a Juniper tree, and
while they looked good when I first moved here, they've grown into a
mess. So, I thought it would be good to remove the azalea bushes and
replace them with something smaller.

What I did NOT know, though, was that one of them has a yellow jackets
nest, either in the bush, or in a hole beneath it! I found this out
the hard way.

So, I have a 2-part question:

1. How can I get rid of yellow jackets without actually seeing the
next? I know that I can wait until winter for them to die out on their
own, but if I wait then I won't be able to put in other plants to
replace the bush. And of course, I don't exactly want to be working on
getting rid of this bush when it's 30 degrees outside! LOL

2. Is there an easier / better way to remove an azalea bush, other
than hitting each limb with a saw and then digging out the root? I've
already removed one, but that took about 4 hours!

TIA,

Jason

Posted by Oren on October 2, 2009, 5:12 pm

On Fri, 2 Oct 2009 13:53:16 -0700 (PDT), Jason Carlton

>My front yard has (had) 2 azalea bushes beside of a Juniper tree, and
>while they looked good when I first moved here, they've grown into a
>mess. So, I thought it would be good to remove the azalea bushes and
>replace them with something smaller.
>What I did NOT know, though, was that one of them has a yellow jackets
>nest, either in the bush, or in a hole beneath it! I found this out
>the hard way.
>So, I have a 2-part question:
>1. How can I get rid of yellow jackets without actually seeing the
>next? I know that I can wait until winter for them to die out on their
>own, but if I wait then I won't be able to put in other plants to
>replace the bush. And of course, I don't exactly want to be working on
>getting rid of this bush when it's 30 degrees outside! LOL
>2. Is there an easier / better way to remove an azalea bush, other
>than hitting each limb with a saw and then digging out the root? I've
>already removed one, but that took about 4 hours!
>TIA,
>Jason

A truck, using a chain/tow-strap wrapped around the base of the bush.
Rip is out of the ground. Beats 4 hours work.

Posted by benick on October 2, 2009, 10:13 pm

> On Fri, 2 Oct 2009 13:53:16 -0700 (PDT), Jason Carlton

>>My front yard has (had) 2 azalea bushes beside of a Juniper tree, and
>>while they looked good when I first moved here, they've grown into a
>>mess. So, I thought it would be good to remove the azalea bushes and
>>replace them with something smaller.
>>What I did NOT know, though, was that one of them has a yellow jackets
>>nest, either in the bush, or in a hole beneath it! I found this out
>>the hard way.
>>So, I have a 2-part question:
>>1. How can I get rid of yellow jackets without actually seeing the
>>next? I know that I can wait until winter for them to die out on their
>>own, but if I wait then I won't be able to put in other plants to
>>replace the bush. And of course, I don't exactly want to be working on
>>getting rid of this bush when it's 30 degrees outside! LOL
>>2. Is there an easier / better way to remove an azalea bush, other
>>than hitting each limb with a saw and then digging out the root? I've
>>already removed one, but that took about 4 hours!
>>TIA,
>>Jason

> A truck, using a chain/tow-strap wrapped around the base of the bush.
> Rip is out of the ground. Beats 4 hours work.

I have moved a Japaneses Lilac and MANY shrubs this way with great
results..Not one died...As far as the Yellow Jackets go use the Sevin
dust....

Posted by Ed Pawlowski on October 2, 2009, 11:39 pm

> A truck, using a chain/tow-strap wrapped around the base of the bush.
> Rip is out of the ground. Beats 4 hours work.

I asked my neighbor to remove some bushes that way. I paid him a few buck,
but I think he'd have paid me just for the fun of doing it.

Posted by mike on October 2, 2009, 5:17 pm

> My front yard has (had) 2 azalea bushes beside of a Juniper tree, and
> while they looked good when I first moved here, they've grown into a
> mess. So, I thought it would be good to remove the azalea bushes and
> replace them with something smaller.
> What I did NOT know, though, was that one of them has a yellow jackets
> nest, either in the bush, or in a hole beneath it! I found this out
> the hard way.
> So, I have a 2-part question:
> 1. How can I get rid of yellow jackets without actually seeing the
> next? I know that I can wait until winter for them to die out on their
> own, but if I wait then I won't be able to put in other plants to
> replace the bush. And of course, I don't exactly want to be working on
> getting rid of this bush when it's 30 degrees outside! LOL
> 2. Is there an easier / better way to remove an azalea bush, other
> than hitting each limb with a saw and then digging out the root? I've
> already removed one, but that took about 4 hours!
> TIA,
> Jason

Look for a while and see if you can locate the nest. Apply Sevin
dust.

If you really can't figure out where they are, you can set out a
number of bait stations in the vicinity that are dusted or mixed with
Sevin. I'd try different bait types, including solid and liquid food
stuffs, but if you can get them to walk over dry Sevin, they'll be
more likely to bring it back to their nest and spread it.

Removing the plant just takes patience. If you don't have heavy
equipment, you can attack the roots with a digging bar or a maul.
Leave some stump so you can pull on it with a rope.

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