Getting rid of wasps/hornets/yellow jackets

[skuttle]

My crepe myrtle became infected with bugs that ended up leaving some sort of residue on the leaves that attracted hornets/wasps/yellow jackets...not sure exactly which kind I have. I don't think it's yellow jackets because when they came out of the bush, they came from the top/middle and not the ground. Don't yellow jackets usually build their house in the ground?

I know my first step is to kill whatever bugs are infecting my crepe myrtle.

However, I also have a ton of the wasps/hornets/yellow jackets in my bush...found out when I tried to prune my bushes. I can't see a nest and do NOT want to dig around in there to find it. Any advice on how to get rid of them other than spraying the whole bush with wasp spray? My flower bed is so out of control, but I'm terrified of getting in there like I normally do! I've already been stung once on the foot and once on the hand it hurts!!

 

[S. C.]

Giving this a bump for you.

 

[MrsPete]

I can't help much, but I do agree with your assessment: It probably IS NOT yellow jackets. They do live in the ground . . . and their stings hurt so badly! They're mean creatures too -- other insects sting in self-defense, but yellow jackets are aggressive. They seem to LIKE attacking people. You're lucky that's what you don't have!

 

[maelstrom]

Hornets, bees, & yellow jackets have yellow on their bodies; wasps do not. Do you see any yellow on the bodies of your insects? Hornets also make HUGE "paper" nests; we had one over our front door for ages.

I work at a lumber yard / hardware store / garden store. We sell insect spray in addition to "foggers". I'm not sure if they're meant for inside or outside use, or both. Send me a PM to remind me to reply to you; I'm about to head off to work and I'll check the boxes on the foggers we sell (I hope we have some left!) and report back with the results.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Those are aphids and they are a pain already to get rid of. Go to your local nursery and get some help. I am sure others are having the same issue you are.

Crape myrtle aphid (Tinocallis kahawaluokalani Kirkaldy) has a narrow host range and is the only aphid species that feeds on crape myrtles. Crape myrtle aphids are found from May through September, with peak populations during July and early August. Crape myrtle aphid adults and nymphs are pale yellow-green with black spots on their abdomens. They range from 1/16- to 1/8-inch in length. These aphids generally feed on the undersides of crape myrtle leaves. They feed by inserting their needle-like mouthparts into the soft tissues and extracting plant sap. As aphids feed, they inject saliva into the leaf tissues, which, in turn, causes yellow leaf spots to develop. Heavy infestations can deform leaves and stunt new growth. Buds, branch tips and flowers can also be damaged by the feeding injury.

In addition to direct damage, aphids can damage plants indirectly by secreting honeydew, a sugary bi-product of their feeding. Honeydew is a perfect substrate for the growth of sooty mold fungi and a source of food for other insects such as ants, wasps and flies. Although unsightly, sooty mold itself does not directly harm the crape myrtle. Instead, it shades the leaves and interferes with photosynthesis. Under heavy infestations, sooty-mold-covered leaves may drop many weeks prematurely. Even the twigs and stems of the plants may be coated in the black sooty mold. That becomes more evident as the plants defoliate.

http://www.crapemyrtletrails.org/pest

 

[maelstrom]

I looked in our catalogue at work. RAID makes an outdoor fogger that you could use in your bush and tree.

 

[skuttle]

Thanks everyone. I figured it all started with the aphids. I have something that should kill them (I hope!!).

As for whatever stinging bugs I have (I don't think the bugs in my bush are wasps, but I do have wasps up by more door. ). I found a wasp catcher type of thing at home depot, so I'll try that before I start killing everything!