Forum home› Talkback

bay-tree-is-covered-in-wasps-

Joolz3Joolz3 Posts: 1
in Talkback

HI, I have a bay tree in a huge pot & about 5ft tall, its has lots of new leaves which I havent trimmed back yet as its now the size I want it (ive grown it this big from less than a foot tall). Over the last few days i have noticed it is covered in wasps & what look like blue bottles.  Can anybody tell me why as I am allergic to wasp stings & a bit scared to go out in the garden at the moment.  Thanks in advance

«13

Posts

  • addictaddict Posts: 659

    The wasps will be after any insects on your bay. It may well have aphids on it and wasps eat them....Blue bottles...no idea.

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391

    Joolz, are you sure they are wasps and not harmless hoverflies?

    http://syrphidae.3644.co.uk/

    They may be after aphids, so check that the young leaves aren't being attacked by greenfly.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Lou FLou F Posts: 2

    I have the same problem, is there something I can spray the bay tree with that wont harm it but will gwithin of the wasps?

     

  • flowering roseflowering rose Posts: 1,632

    sure they are not hover flies or small bees?

     

  • Lou FLou F Posts: 2

    Definitely wasps

     

  • Jo HallettJo Hallett Posts: 1

    I also have the same problem, wasps and fly's!! Odd!!! Anything that can be sprayed to clear them?

  • ladybutternutladybutternut Posts: 20

    Find the nest by watching them fly home and get a guy in to destroy it! I disturbed a nest a few weeks ago and got 15 was stings up my t-shirt!

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,102

    I'd give the baytree a good hosing down with water - should remove aphids or honeydew or whatever the wasps and flies are after and won't harm the tree.

    I wouldn't fancy using bayleaves in my soup if they'd been sprayed with insecticide.

    image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Philip HodsonPhilip Hodson Posts: 1

    My bay tree is also attracting wasps here in Devon and also my son inlaw's in Bath. My answer to get rid of them is to  use your vacuum cleaner (cylinder type) and just suck them up! It really works a treat and kills them quick and - you don't get stung in the process. Try it!

     

     

    Phil 

     

  • Charlie RickardCharlie Rickard Posts: 2

    I have the same problem in my garden near Cambridge. I suspect some form of aphid on the bay leaves but there are no obvious visible signs.

    In the past I have used the vacuum cleaner techniqe to remove the wasps, wirh a squirt of insecticide into the suction hose every so often. This makes sure that the wasps are killed and don't fly back out again when the vac is turned off!

Sign In or Register to comment.