Dear Sun Spots: I would like to know how to get rid of hornets. They go into an unused light socket. It might damage the wires if I try to spray inside the socket.

There’s a lot of them on the opposite side of that sunroom under the door. I’ve tried all kinds of spray, but the next day they start all over again. I’m afraid they’ll come into the house next. — No Name, Lewiston

Answer: Sun Spots spoke to Ken at Bug Beaters, who offered a thorough explanation of hornets, their life cycle and how to get rid of them. He said that your hornets might be yellow jackets, whose stings are very painful and to which some people are allergic, so proceed with caution.

He said they are probably not nesting in the socket, but just using it for additional access. Ken said yellow jackets often build nests in walls, under eaves and in any cavity they can find, preferring walls with good sun exposure. They will raise their young in the nest, using your doorway as an exit to
go and find food. After the young are raised in the fall, they burrow
into the ground, where they spend the winter. Then the next summer they build another nest. He said they never use
the same nest, but will return to the same location if it
provides warmth and adequate food.

So, the good news is that winter will bring an end to your infestation. With fall descending, you could wait until they leave for the winter
and then close up the entry point so they can’t come back next year.

Ken recommends not spraying their exit, because if they can’t get out that way because of the spray, they may then head into your house. 

If you want to rid yourself of these pests and don’t want to tackle this job yourself, you may call Ken at 786-7622. He charges $150 if they are in the wall, $75 if exposed.

Dear Sun Spots:
I would like to pass on information to Lewiston Crafter as well as anyone else who might be interested in participating in craft fairs.

On Sept. 26 there will be a craft fair at Point Sebago Resort in Casco. This is held in conjunction with the Bridgton Chamber’s Brew Fest. The cost is $40, and the fair runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more info on this fair, call 449-3286 or e-mail debskitchen1@hotmail.com.

There is also a book published each year that lists lots of craft fairs in Maine and New Hampshire. This is available from Craftah Inc., P.O. Box 11, Pittsfield, ME 04967 and costs $18. Usually this will be published and shipped around the middle of January, and updates are sent out quarterly throughout the year.
Hope this helps Lewiston Crafter. — Fellow Crafter, Brunswick 

Dear Sun Spots: I’m cleaning out after raising four kids. Is there
an organization — or family — out there who may be interested in some
old sports-related stuff (cross country skis, fishing gear, bikes,
etc.)? Some of it needs some work, such as cleaning and oiling. We’d
even deliver if necessary. Call 562-7095. — L. Skibitsky, Dixfield

Dear Readers: Lisa Brown, the director of Health Inspection, called about yesterday’s Sun Spots’ column. It appears that Sun Spots had one critical word wrong. Sun Spots wrote: “… if gloves aren’t used, the employee must use a barrier ….” What she should have written is “the employee should use a barrier ….” That one word makes the difference between Health Inspection being able to enforce the use of a barrier, such as tongs or deli wrap when handling ready-to-eat food. Sun Spots hopes that most food preparers will use those barriers.

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