Can I Outsmart a Wasp on My Window?

  • Thread starter Rach3
  • Start date
In summary, the conversation was about a person who was trying to get rid of a wasp on a hard-to-reach window without getting stung. Suggestions were made to use insecticides, a flamethrower, or a shotgun. The person eventually found and killed the wasp, but then discovered it was a different wasp and may have angered its friends. The conversation also included some humorous comments about the potential danger of using certain methods and a reveal that one of the participants was actually a swarm of wasps in human form.
  • #1
Rach3
There's a large, sinister-looking wasp on a hard-to-reach window. What to do? I don't want to risk failure, or provoke an angry wasp. So far my plans are about as sensible as Rube Goldberg machines.

Maybe I should have posted this in an engineering forum?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
I think Rach3 is penguino, both have lost their balls.

Maybe I should start a thread about how a squirrel looked at me funny and now I am afraid to go outside.

Thread Locked.
 
  • #3
Huh. What do you know, it was already dead.
 
  • #4
Aaaaahhh! It's moving!

:eek:
 
  • #5
Do either imiprothrin or cypermethrin kill wasps on contact (though they're not advertised to)? It's either that or some heavy objects. Maybe physics books.
 
  • #6
Okay, I've found me a 3kg reference. Meanwhile I turned the thermostat to 45F = 6C, maybe I can slow it down or give it hypothermia.
 
  • #7
Throw a glob of honey/golden treacle at it.
 
  • #8
It's very much alive, it was climbing down the wall. But now it's not moving again. Hmm. I hope it died.
 
  • #9
Just some guy said:
Throw a glob of honey/golden treacle at it.

(i) How do you expect me to aim that?
(ii) What will that accomplish?
 
  • #10
Does anyone know an easy, foolproof way to build an anti-insect flamethrower?
 
  • #11
Rach3 said:
(i) How do you expect me to aim that?
(ii) What will that accomplish?

1: I dunno, flick a spoon and hope for the best?

2: What harm can it do if it's coverend in honey and can't move :biggrin:
 
  • #12
Rach3 said:
Does anyone know an easy, foolproof way to build an anti-insect flamethrower?

An aerosol can and a match?

Or, if you have a lighter, place the lighter (lit) nearish the wasp, fill a water pistol with petrol or lighter fluid and squirt the fuel through the lighter at the wasp. Of course, you'd then have to deal with your house being on fire, but at least you wouldn't have to deal with the wasp.

[edit]P.S. I wonder if you could suck it up with a vacuum cleaner[/edit]
 
  • #13
Plans backfiring. Organophosphate insecticides made floor slippery. Room stinks of petroleum products - opened window. I lost the wasp - it's somewhere, not sure where. Like in the Alien movies.
 
  • #14
It's behind books on the shelf. !
 
  • #15
You should try to make friends with it. Maybe you could develop some sort of mutually beneficial relationship...maybe you could feed it, and it could guard your house. Personally, if I wanted to rob you blind and I saw a giant bloodthirsty death-wasp descending on me...I'd run. Run far away. And never come back.

So if you think about it, neither of you really has to die. It's a win-win situation.
 
  • #16
I'm removing things one by one from the shelf. If I find it still alive and vicious, that'll be bad. If I don't find anything at all, that'll be much worse.
 
  • #17
Archon - Shame on you for making fun of a very serious incident!
 
  • #18
Rach3 said:
I'm removing things one by one from the shelf. If I find it still alive and vicious, that'll be bad. If I don't find anything at all, that'll be much worse.
And you have to sleep some time. It knows that. :devil:
 
  • #19
HURRAY! VICTORY IS MINE!

Three cheers for insecticides!

How the story of my great military victory came about:
So It wasn't on the shelf after all. I decided that looking for it in one place would leave me vulnerable to attack from the [elsewhere hidden] wasp, so I searched the whole rest of the house first, to eliminate that possibility. It was in fact on anoter windowsill. And apparently the cypermethrin had hit the mark. I officially declare this wasp incapacitated!
 
  • #20
I'm free from the wasp overlords! This calls for some sort of celebration.
 
  • #21
Rach3 said:
I'm free from the wasp overlords! This calls for some sort of celebration.
His buddies saw what you did. This isn't over.
 
  • #22
I can feel the paranoia rising... muahahaha!
 
  • #23
Well...now that the battle is over...I think I should come clean. I'm really just a swarm of wasps that has temporarily taken human form in order to type these messages. I (we) just wanted to save Joe over there, and maybe foster a nice spirit of cooperation between humans and wasp-kind...but you had to go and kill him, didn't you!? So now...history will remember you as the guy who doomed humanity. Wasps forever!
 
  • #24
Rach3 said:
It was in fact on anoter windowsill.
Are you sure that it's the same wasp? :devil:

Rach3 said:
Does anyone know an easy, foolproof way to build an anti-insect flamethrower?
While I certainly don't recommend this to other people, I use a can of WD-40 and a lighter. That definitely needs to be chosen only if the surroundings aren't terribly flammable. It only takes about 1/4 second of exposure to burn the wings off, which doesn't really cause any damage to woodwork or whatnot. You probably wouldn't want to use it in the bookcase scenario. :biggrin:
 
  • #25
Rach3 said:
Aaaaahhh! It's moving!

:eek:
Okay, I've found me a 3kg reference. Meanwhile I turned the thermostat to 45F = 6C, maybe I can slow it down or give it hypothermia.
Do either imiprothrin or cypermethrin kill wasps on contact (though they're not advertised to)? It's either that or some heavy objects. Maybe physics books.
A shotgun is the easiest way to solve this.
 

1. Can wasps recognize human faces?

No, wasps do not have the cognitive ability to recognize human faces. They mainly rely on scent and visual cues to navigate and identify threats.

2. Will making sudden movements scare away the wasp?

It is not recommended to make sudden movements, as this may startle the wasp and cause it to defend itself. It is best to remain still and calm when a wasp is nearby.

3. Can I use insect repellent to keep wasps away?

No, insect repellent is not effective against wasps. They are not attracted to human scents like mosquitoes and are more likely to be attracted to sweet scents.

4. What should I do if a wasp enters my home?

If a wasp enters your home, it is best to remain calm and open a window or door to allow it to fly out. Do not attempt to swat at or harm the wasp, as this may provoke it to sting.

5. How do I prevent wasps from building nests near my home?

To prevent wasps from building nests near your home, make sure to keep your outdoor area clean and free of food and sweet scents. You can also use wasp traps or hire a professional to remove any existing nests.

Similar threads

Is this egg-laying or something else?
    • Biology and Medical
Replies
9
Views
175
Mysterious Wasp Infestation: My Home is Under Siege
    • General Discussion
Replies
32
Views
8K
How can I reformat a USB thumb drive that is not recognized by my Windows 10 PC?
    • Computing and Technology
Replies
12
Views
2K
Cubical Pressure Vessel - Maximum Pressure Computation
    • Mechanical Engineering
Replies
5
Views
1K
Misc. I want to mechanically detect when an egg-timer runs out - ideas?
    • DIY Projects
Replies
2
Views
1K
What was the impact force of a 30 mph collision on my Scion xB?
    • General Discussion
Replies
1
Views
1K
I Is the Killer Crate Paradox Resolved?
    • Special and General Relativity
2
Replies
60
Views
3K
Prolonging the Life of Poorly Accessible Rusted Steel
    • Chemistry
Replies
4
Views
803
How can I clone a USB drive to a VFD file for use in Windows?
    • Computing and Technology
Replies
14
Views
2K
Other Should I Take Extra Courses During My PhD in Cosmology for Future Careers?
    • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
3
Views
886

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top