| How to Play Table Football Posted: 31 Aug 2020 01:00 AM PDT Table football, more commonly known as foosball or table soccer, is a popular table game played at bars and other establishments. This game is pretty straightforward, but there are a few simple rules you should keep in mind before diving into a new game or tournament. Take a few minutes to review the game or refresh your memory so you can impress both friends and acquaintances during your next match! [Edit]Understanding the Rules and Gameplay - Review the different parts of the table. Note that the table looks like a mini soccer field, with 8 rods going across the field. These are labeled based on the number of mini "players" on each rod. Each team has 2 offensive rods, known as a 5-rod and a 3-rod, along with 2 defensive rods, known as the 2-rod and goalie-rod. Along the sides of the table, you can find a serving hole where the ball goes to start the game.[1]
- Once the ball enters the goal, it rolls into the table's cabinet. There are slots or openings along the sides of the table where you can find and reuse the scored balls.
- Plan to score 5 goals before your opponent does. As the game name suggests, table football is very similar to a real game of football, or soccer. You use both hands to maneuver the rods and control your "players," which kick and pass the ball along the table. Like in a real game of football, your goal is to kick the ball past the goalie and score a point for your team. Once you score 5 goals, you've won the game![2]
- You can set your own custom game terms, too. If you're playing a quick match, the first person to 1-2 goals can be the winner.
- Decide if you want to play solo or with a team. You control all 4 rods if you play by yourself, or you can divide your team's rods up among other players. In this format, 1 player will control the offensive 3-rod and 5-rod, while the other player will control the defensive 2-rod and goalie-rod. You can also divide up the rods between 3 or 4 people, depending on how you want to play.[3]
- When you play with multiple people, you can only control your assigned rod, as no switching is allowed during the game.[4]
- Serve the ball so gameplay can begin. Block off the serving hole with your left hand, then slide the ball into the hole. Lift your left hand away from the covering and move it to the handle of the 5-rod offensive pole. At this point, spin the hand holding the ball so the ball lands on your side of the table.[5]
- You can flip a coin to decide who gets to serve first.[6]
- Make your plays within 10-15 seconds of getting the ball. Keep a mental clock going in your head as you play the game. Countdown from 10 as soon as 5-rod receives the ball. If your 3-rod, 2-rod, or goalie rod gets the ball, you have 15 seconds to make a play.[7]
- If you don't play the ball within 10 seconds, the play is reset and your opponent gets to serve.
- Reset the ball when it's "dead." Grab the ball if it flies off the table. Place the ball near the server's 2-rod so they can restart the game again. If the ball rolls into a dead zone near the goalie, move it to the nearest corner. If the ball becomes dead on another part of the table, you can place the ball in front of the original server for the round.[8]
- The ball goes to the opponent of whoever kicked the ball off the table or forced it into a dead zone.
- If the ball is spinning, it isn't dead.
- Switch sides after each game if you're playing multiple games. Play through your first match of foosball until 1 team scores 5 points. At this point, switch sides so that you're using the bars and players on the opposite side of the table. You have 60 seconds to make the switch, or else you'll be penalized for slowing the game down.[9]
- You can penalize someone by letting the other team serve first, or by choosing another similar punishment.
[Edit]Playing Offense - Wrap your hand around the handle without your thumb and fingers touching. Try not to squeeze or grip the handle too much—instead, wrap your hand around gently, with your palm on top of the handle and your thumb and fingers on opposite sides of 1 another. Grip the handles in this fashion so you can make sturdy, stable plays.[10]
- Try not to keep your thumb on top of the handle, or else you won't have a lot of control over your swings.[11]
- You don't want to have white knuckles while you play.
- Space out your playing bars so you can make clearer shots. Keep your 2 offensive playing rods spaced out, leaving an ample gap for passing and serving successfully. Keep your players lined up so you can pass the ball cleanly and neatly, which lets you make more effective shots on the goal.[12]
- Try to stagger your offensive players so they're spaced between your opponent's defensive players.
- Pass the ball to your 3-rod row of players. Secure the ball beneath your 5-rod pole after your serve. Rotate the pole so the player's foot is at a 90-degree angle behind the ball. Move the player forward to "kick" the ball, but continue to swing the player upwards to follow through with the kick. With your 3-rod row, "receive" the pass by holding your 3-rod player at a 30 to 45-degree angle behind the ball.[13]
- Similar to real football or soccer, passing is a valuable strategy that can help you keep the ball moving.
- Try an open-handed grip when making offensive shots. Loosen your grip, leaving the bottom of your palm and the top of your wrist touching the handle. Slide your wrist and hand up to create a powerful offensive kick. Try to flick your wrist as you do this, so your movements can be as fluid as possible.[14]
- Avoid spinning the rod in a full circle, as this is illegal.
[Edit]Playing Defense - Combine your defensive rods to make more effective plays. Slide your defensive bar so your goalie and 1 of your defenders are shoulder-to-shoulder. Keep these players close together so your opponent doesn't have as many clear opportunities to shoot on your goal.[15]
- The ball shouldn't be able to pass through your goalie or your defender.
- Block your opponent's plays with your 2 defensive rods. Slide and rotate your 2 rods that are closest to your goal, which will help you block and defend your goal. Keep an eye on the ball and slide your defenders and goalie accordingly so the ball stays away from your goal.[16]
- While the goalie and defending bars can be used to score, they're usually used to defend and clear out the ball.
- Clear the ball from your goal with 1 of your defensive bars. Put a lot of power into your "kick" when the ball ends up in your defensive area. Pause the ball with your player before passing or kicking it forward. If you send a rolling ball towards your opponent, you may give them a free shot on your goal.[17]
- The main focus of clearing the ball is keeping your goal safe, not collecting points.
- Deflect bad shots from your opponent into their goal. Keep your eyes peeled for weak shots leveled by your opponent, which leaves the ball rolling toward your players. Take these opportunities to kick the ball with your own players. Depending on the set-up, you may be able to turn your opponent's bad play into an unlikely goal![18]
- Try not to make any drastic movements with your players. Instead, keep them close to the ball at all times.[19]
- Create unique, unpredictable patterns throughout the game so your opponent can't guess your next move.[20]
- Stay focused during all aspects of the game, even when your players aren't in control of the ball.[21]
- You can play a 1v1 match of foosball, or you can play with several players. If you're playing with multiple team members, the players can't switch rods in the middle of the game.[22]
[Edit]Warnings - Don't be rude or unsportsmanlike to your opponent during a game.[23]
- Avoid spinning the rods at all costs! This is illegal and makes you look like a bad player.[24]
- Don't jostle or shift the table while you play.[25]
- Refrain from distracting your opponent to your own advantage.[26]
- Don't touch the ball unless you're resetting it for a serve.[27]
[Edit]References |
| How to Open a Bottle of Wine Posted: 30 Aug 2020 05:00 PM PDT The first step to enjoying an elegant glass of wine is opening the bottle, and there are many ways to remove the cork intact. Whether you have a wing corkscrew or a sommelier knife (waiter's corkscrew), or are using a DIY alternative, it's fairly easy to master opening most wine bottles. You can try a screw and pliers–or even a shoe–if you're in a pinch, or skip the corks and buy screw-top wine bottles instead! [Edit]Opening with a Wing Corkscrew - Score the cork foil with a knife and peel it away. Most wing corkscrews don't come with knife attachments, so use a sharp kitchen knife to score the foil just under the lip of the wine bottle. Pull off the foil cap and discard it.[1]
- Set the corkscrew in place on top of the cork. Place the tip of the corkscrew in the center of the cork and push down gently. The metal cap surrounding the screw should rest against the top of the bottle, while the wings should be lowered against the neck of the wine bottle.[2]
- Simply indent the top of the cork with the tip of the screw–it doesn't need to be deeply embedded at this point.
- Twist the handle clockwise to drill the screw into the cork. Hold the metal cap in place over the bottle's top, keeping your hand below the "wings" that are lowered against the neck of the wine bottle. Use your other hand to turn the handle and screw the corkscrew into the cork. Each time you twist, the wings will extend a bit further upward and outward.[3]
- Continue turning the handle until the wings are fully extended—that is, perpendicular to the wine bottle and parallel with the table.
- With the wings fully extended, the screw should be at the ideal depth. Don't continue twisting, or you might drive the screw through the bottom of the cork, which could leave cork bits in your wine!
- Push down on the wings to pull the cork upward. Set the bottle on a table and use both hands to push down the wings of the corkscrew. As you push them down, the screw will retract and lift the cork. Once the wings are fully down and against the neck of the bottle, the cork will likely be fully removed.[4]
- If the cork isn't quite free of the bottle yet, give the corkscrew a few wiggles and twists, then pull upward to finish removing the cork. If it still isn't free, twist the screw back down into the cork until the wings are halfway extended, then repeat the process.
[Edit]Using a Sommelier Knife - Cut off the cork foil with the folded knife. The sommelier knife (also known as a waiter's corkscrew or a wine key) is constructed with a folded knife on one end and a folded corkscrew on the other. Open the knife and use it to score the foil just below the lip at the top of the wine bottle. Remove the foil cap and discard it, then close the knife into its recess.[5]
- Some sommelier knives have a sharp disc, rather than a knife, for cutting the foil.
- The foil should always be cut just below the lip of the wine bottle in order to prevent any wine from touching it when poured. Coming into contact with the foil can change the taste of the wine.
- Unfold the corkscrew and insert it in the cork. Position the tip of the corkscrew in the center of the wine bottle's cork, push it in slightly, then begin twisting it clockwise. Keep twisting the corkscrew until you have only one spiral of the screw still visible. This usually takes about 6½ twists.[6]
- Don't twist too far into the cork, or pieces from the bottom of the cork may end up in the wine.
- If you don't twist far enough, the cork may break in two when you try to extract it.
- Dislodge the cork slightly by using the lever arm's ridges for leverage. Bend the lever arm down toward the neck of the bottle. There are typically 2 indentations or ridges along the inside of the lever arm. Set the ridge closest to the lever arm's hinge over the lip of the bottle, then squeeze inward and downward on the lever arm—the leverage this creates will nudge the cork upward.[7]
- If the cork hasn't fully released yet, set the ridge that's furthest from the lever arm's hinge on the bottle's lip and repeat the process to continue dislodging the cork.
- If the cork won't budge, you may not have twisted the corkscrew in far enough. Twist it until there is only one spiral remaining before using the lever.
- Pull up on the handle to remove the cork. Lift the lever arm back up so that the device is once again in a T-shape, then pull up firmly on the handle (created in part by the lever arm). The cork should easily lift from the bottle with a slight pop. Wiggle and twist the cork a bit as you pull upward if it's giving slight resistance.[8]
- If the cork doesn't lift out of the bottle, screw the corkscrew in deeper, lift the cork using the lever arm, and try pulling on the handle again.
- In fine restaurants, sommeliers often remove the corkscrew while the cork is still about halfway in the bottle, then finish removing the cork by hand. The cork is set on the table for the patron to examine for signs of freshness.
[Edit]Trying a Screw and Pliers - Cut off the foil that covers the cork. Use a kitchen knife to score the foil just below the lip of the wine bottle. Take off the foil cap and discard it.[9]
- Work very carefully with the knife. Nothing ruins a nice evening and a great bottle of wine like a deep gash in your hand!
- Grab a clean screw and a set of pliers. The average wine cork is about in length, and you need the screw to be long enough to drive deeply into the cork and yet protrude out of the top of it by about . Even though the screw should never actually contact the wine, wash it off with soap and water.[10]
- If you want to clean the screw more completely after washing it off, disinfect it by soaking it in a dish of rubbing alcohol for 1-2 minutes. Even better, sterilize it by placing it in boiling water for at least 5 minutes, or ideally 15 minutes, then letting the water cool.
- A slightly shorter screw may work, but don't go any shorter than in length.
- Twist the screw clockwise into the cork with a screwdriver. Press the tip of the screw into the center of the top of the cork to make a starting indentation. Then, turn the screw into the center of the cork until there is about sticking out. You may be able to do this with only your fingers, but using a screwdriver makes it that much easier.[11]
- Remember that you need to twist clockwise to drive a screw into a cork, a piece of wood, or anything else.
- Work carefully to ensure that the cork does not break apart into smaller pieces.
- Do not allow the screw to pierce the bottom of the cork and potentially touch the wine. If you're using a screw that's long, leave protruding from the top of the cork.
- Grip the neck of the screw with the pliers and pull upward. Clasp the jaws of the pliers firmly around the neck of the screw, just below the screw head. Grab the bottle securely with your other hand, and pull upward with the pliers. Wiggle the pliers back and forth a bit if the cork is giving some resistance.[12]
- Alternatively, you can use the claw (nail-pulling side) of a hammer, or even a sturdy fork.
- If the screw pulls out of the cork and leaves it in the bottle, you probably didn't drive the screw deep enough into the cork to begin with. Repeat the process, and try to drive the screw as far into the cork as you can without piercing the bottom of the cork.
- Use a clean screw-in hook instead of a traditional screw. Any screw-in hook with a screw portion that's at least long will work. Twist it in clockwise by hand, so that the screw portion penetrates about , then pull on the hook portion to remove the cork.[13]
- Bicycle hooks, which you use to hang a bike from a wall or ceiling, work well for this. The hook portion is usually vinyl coated, which makes them more comfortable to grip and pull on.
- Before using it, clean the screw-in hook in the same manner as described for a regular screw.
[Edit]Banging the Bottle with a Shoe - Cut the cork foil with a knife tip and peel it away. Use a kitchen knife to score the foil just below the lip of the wine bottle, then remove the foil cap and throw it away.[14]
- Hold the bottle securely with your free hand, but keep it well clear of the knife tip and blade.
- Place the wine bottle upside down between your thighs. Sit down on a steady chair and hold the wine bottle in a secure position between your legs. The top of the bottle should be pointing downward, while the base of the bottle should be pointing up.[15]
- Grasp the bottle near its bottom (which is now facing upward) with one hand to hold it steady.
- Rap the bottle firmly but carefully with the sole of a shoe. Make sure you hold the bottle steady with your legs and one hand, and use the other to rap the base of the bottle with the sole of a flat shoe. Hit it 2-3 times to start out. With each strike, the cork should dislodge a little.[16]
- Strike the bottle firmly and evenly across the base. Don't hit it as hard as you can, and don't graze the edge, or the bottle may break. However, if it doesn't seem to be making progress, you may need to hit it harder.
- Make sure the bottle is in a stable position. Don't just hold it between your thighs; use your free hand to grasp it, too.
- Check the cork and pull it out by hand when you can firmly grasp it. Take a look at the cork's progress, then continue striking the bottle until the cork has dislodged enough that you can grasp it with your hand and pull it out of the bottle.[17]
- If you try pulling out the cork and it's still firmly inside the bottle, turn it upside down and strike it a few more times before trying again.
- Don't strike the bottle until the cork pops out on its own, or you may lose a few glasses of wine!
[Edit]Removing a Screw-Top Cap - Twist the bottom of the bottle and the cap in opposite directions. Grasp the bottom of the bottle firmly in one hand, with your palm flat against the bottom. Wrap your other hand around the neck and cap. Your index finger and thumb should be wrapped tightly around the cap, while the rest of your hand should be loosely wrapped around the neck. Rotate your hands in opposite directions until you hear the "crack" that indicates that the seal has broken.[18]
- Some people prefer to grab the bottom of the bottle by wrapping their palm and fingers around the base. Use whichever grip is easier for you.
- You can grip your entire top hand around just the bottle cap, but this may make it more difficult to get a good grip, especially if you have arthritis or a similar condition.
- Twist the bottle's sleeve (or skirt) instead of the cap if it will rotate. Screw-top wine bottles have a sleeve (or skirt) on the neck of the bottle that connects to the sealed cap. In some cases, this sleeve will rotate independently of the bottle. Try gripping just the sleeve (not the cap) in one hand, and the bottom of the bottle in the other. Rotate your hands in opposite directions and see if you hear the "crack" of the seal breaking.[19]
- Many people find gripping the sleeve instead of the cap easier. However, not all sleeves will rotate independently of the bottle. In this case, you'll have to grip the cap instead.
- Try a dish towel, pliers, or various bottle-opener gadgets. If you can't get a good grip on the cap, try placing a dish towel between your hand and the cap. If that doesn't work, grip the cap firmly (but not too forcefully) between the jaws of a set of pliers, then twist the cap and the bottle in opposite directions.[20]
- You can also look in stores and online for bottle and jar opener gadgets. Some are textured silicone mats, while others wrap around the cap or lid like a belt. Try out different models until you find the type that works best for you.
- If you squeeze too hard with the pliers, you might crush the cap and the top of the bottle. This will make a mess, ruin the wine, and possibly cause injuries from broken glass.
- If you've got an older wine that's thrown a lot of sediment, you should keep it stored on its side, undisturbed, until ready to drink. When service time comes, carefully put it in a cradle that will hold it at an angle. Remove the cork with the bottle still at that angle (taking care not to spill the wine), and carefully decant it.
- If you don't want to mess around with knives and manual openers, you can buy an electric wine opener which removes the cork all by itself.
[Edit]Warnings - Be careful when using sharp knives to remove the foil. It can be tricky to cut off.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Keep Hornets Away Posted: 30 Aug 2020 09:00 AM PDT Bald-faced hornets are a common and helpful species of wasp that dine on garden insects.[1] They have dark bodies with a white-patterned face and resemble yellowjackets, another type of wasp. Their ability to sting while looking for food can make them dangerous to humans. The best way to keep hornets away is to prevent and reduce food sources around your home. However, if they make a nest nearby and you can't tolerate them, the only solution is to remove the nest. [Edit]Using Traps and Repellents - Make a hornet trap out of a 2-liter soda bottle and jam. Cut a 2-liter bottle just below the neck and invert the top portion to create a funnel. Tape the 2 pieces together with masking tape, poke 2 holes on opposite sides of the rim, and attach some string through the holes. Fill the base with water and add a few drops of dish soap to break the surface tension. Then, add a spoonful of jam into the water and hang the trap from a tree. When a hornet enters it, it'll be trapped and eventually die.[2]
- The dish soap breaks the surface tension, which helps drown the hornet.
- When the trap is full of hornets or when the water level is low, empty it out and refill it.
- You could also purchase a pre-made wasp trap and add jam to it to keep hornets from the area.
- Spray wasp repellent in areas where hornets like to build nests. Spray wasp repellents are an effective way to keep hornets from building nests in your area. Apply the repellent in high corners in sheds and on porches, as well as any nooks and crannies in any exterior walls.[3]
- Apply the repellent to areas where hornets like to build nests at the beginning of spring and at the beginning of fall.
- Popular wasp repellents include Raid Wasp & Hornet Killer, Ortho Wasp Hornet Killer, and Black Flag Killer.
- You can find wasp repellent at hardware stores, department stores, and by ordering it online.
- Mix clove, geranium, and lemongrass oil to make a natural repellent. Fill a spray bottle with water and add a few drops of each essential oil into the bottle. Shake it up well to mix it and spray the areas outside your home where hornets like to build nests such as under your eaves, porch roof, and any other ledges.[4]
- Spray the natural repellent in the spring and fall to keep hornets from building nests.
- If you've had hornet nests in the past, spray the deterrent where the former nests were to keep hornets from coming back.
- Hang a fake hornet nest to ward off hornets. Though the science is mixed, because hornets are highly territorial, hanging a decoy hornet nest made of a material such as thread, brown paper, or papier-mâché may help keep hornets from setting up a nest in your area. Search online for decoy hornet nests you can purchase and choose a spot such as a high corner or another prominent location to hang it.[5]
- Look for a spot that is covered from wind and rain so it won't get knocked down.
- Put up bird feeders in the area to attract birds. Birds will eat and scare off any hornets and keep them from coming to your area. Put bird feeders up in your yard and keep it filled with bird seed so you can attract a steady stream of birds.[6]
- Set up bird baths as well to bring even more birds to your area.
- Plant citronella, thyme, or eucalyptus to deter hornets. Wasp-repelling plants will naturally keep hornets away from the area. Plant them in your garden to add beauty and a pleasant scent to your yard.[7]
- You can also trim off pieces of thyme to add to your food.
- Citronella also works to keep mosquitos away as well.
[Edit]Removing Potential Lures - Pick up dropped fruit immediately to keep from attracting hornets. Hornets love fruit and will be drawn to the scent, so don't leave peels or pieces lying around. If a hornet discovers fruit in the area, they may try to build a nest nearby. Pick up any fruit that may be on the ground in your area.[8]
- If you have a compost pile, bury any fruit peels or pieces at least down so the hornets don't see or smell it.
- Bananas are especially attractive to hornets, so be sure to discard of their peels in a sealed garbage can.
- Make sure your garbage and recycling cans are closed. Open containers of food and garbage can attract hornets in search of food. Keep garbage cans and waste bins closed shut at all times. If hornets discover a new food source, they may establish a new nest in the area, so keeping them sealed is an effective way to deter them.[9]
- Tie any bags of garbage shut as well so hornets can't access them.
- Seal any cracks in your walls with caulk to prevent nesting. Hornets can enter the walls of your home through any cracks or crevices and build a nest inside that can be really difficult to eradicate. They can also damage the structure of the wall, so to keep yourself and your home protected, apply caulk to any cracks that you see so they're sealed shut.[10]
- Cover your food and watch your drinks when you're dining outside. Hornets will roam around an area in search of food for their nest, which includes any food or drink you're enjoying outside. Keep your plates covered and serve your drinks in wide-mouthed cups so you can easily see inside and won't accidentally take a drink if a hornet is in it. Whenever you're finished eating outside, put away your dirty dishes as soon as possible.[11]
- If hornets think they've found a new food source, more of them may return and they could potentially set up a nest in the area.
- Avoid using sweet-smelling scents that may attract hornets. Hornets have a highly developed sense of smell and sweet-smelling chemicals in cologne, perfume, and soap can attract them and make them think that you may be a food source. Use unscented soaps, shampoos, and deodorants. Wash your clothes with unscented detergents if there are hornets in the area.[12]
- Sweat that collects in your clothing can attract nearby hornets, so wear clean clothing if hornets have been in the area.
- Remove any brightly colored items from the area. Hornets can get excited by bright colors and potentially attack you. Pick up any brightly colored objects from your yard such as lawn chairs, garden decorations, or even frisbees that could attract hornets.[13]
- Avoid wearing brightly colored clothes when you're outside as well.
- Clean up piles of leaves and wood from your yard. Mated female hornets can bury themselves down in leaf litter and eventually emerge to start a new nest. Rake up piles of leaves and gather any wood and remove it from your yard to help prevent future nests.[14]
- Female hornets will try to hibernate in piles of leaves, so make sure you keep your yard clean during winter.
- Hang raw meat away from your pool or deck to draw the hornets to it. Hornets can be attracted to water, making swimming in an outdoor pool risky. Hanging out on your deck can leave you exposed to hornets in the area. Draw the hornets away from you by hanging a cheap cut of steak or some ground beef in an area far away from your pool or deck. The hornets will be attracted to the meat and stay away from your area.[15]
- You could also place some cat food or fish remains out in your yard away from your pool or deck to keep the hornets away.
[Edit]Getting Rid of a Hornet Nest - Wait for 2 hours after nightfall so the hornets are less active. Hornets are highly active during the day and many of the insects will be out and about gathering food and materials for the nest. Wait for the sun to go down so all of the insects return to the nest and the cooler temperature will slow down their activity.[16]
- You want to hit the nest with insecticide while all of the hornets are inside of it to get all of them at once.
- You could also wait for early dawn, just before the sun rises, when the hornets are also less active.
- Put on protective clothing to avoid getting stung. Hornets have painful stings and will swarm once they're agitated, so it's important that you cover yourself with clothing that will help guard against them. A sturdy pair of jeans, boots, leather gloves, and a hoodie will help protect you.[17]
- A beekeeping hat will also help protect your face and neck.
- Locate the hornet nest by shining a flashlight with a red filter. Hornets aren't able to see red light, so use a flashlight with a red filter or cover the light with a sheet of red cellophane and a rubber band. Shine the light in places hornets like to build their nests such as trees, sheds, or in high corners.[18]
- Look along the sides of the building as well. Some hornets like to build nests in walls.
- Hornet nests can create a loud buzzing noise that you can also use to help you locate the nest.
- Spray wasp insecticide at the entrance of the nest for 10 seconds. Look near the bottom of the nest for a wide opening that the hornets use to come and go from the nest. Hold the spray can near the entrance and blast the opening with the insecticide. Continue spraying for a full 10 seconds to make sure the nest is saturated with the insecticide. Then, get away from the area immediately.[19]
- While the wasp and hornet insecticide will effectively kill the hornets, it will take a moment or two, so you need to get out of the area as soon as you're finished.
- Look for insecticide designed for wasps and hornets such as Ultra Kill Wasp & Hornet Killer and Raid Wasp & Hornet at home improvement stores, your local department store, or by ordering it online.
- Check the nest the next day and spray it again if necessary. Leave the nest alone for a full 24 hours to allow the insecticide to do its thing and eliminate the hornets as well as any eggs or larvae in the nest. Carefully approach the nest the next day and look to see if there are still any hornets active in or around the nest. If there are, blast the nest again with the insecticide for 10 seconds.[20]
- If you're unsure of whether the nest is active, take a rake and carefully tap the nest to see if it stirs up any hornets.
- Knock down the nest with a rake once the nest is inactive. After 2-3 days, the insecticide should knock out all of the hornets living in the nest, making it safe to remove. Take a long-handled rake and strike the nest at its base, where it's attached. Put the nest in a garbage bag and seal it tight before disposing of it.[21]
- Wear gloves and protective clothing when you're knocking down the nest, just to be safe.
- Check for new nests in spring and summer and destroy them. Hornets generally like to set up a new nest in the late spring and early summer, so check under railings, awnings, eaves, overhangs, and structures in your yard such as play equipment or sheds. Listen for a loud buzzing sound coming from any trees or cracks in your walls as well. If you see a small nest of just a few egg cells, use a rake to knock it off and step on it to destroy it.[22]
- Don't step on a hornet's nest with bare feet, though!
- The best way to keep a giant hornet nest from forming and becoming a nuisance is to remove it before it gets a chance to develop.
- Keep sources of food away from the area and hornets are less likely to want to build a nest.
- If you do see a hornet around you, avoid trying to swat at it, which may agitate it and cause it to sting you. Instead, remain calm and leave the area.[23]
- If you're stung by a hornet, wash the area with soap and water and apply ice to reduce swelling. Avoid scratching the sting, which can cause swelling and potentially cause an infection.[24]
[Edit]Warning - Never try to eradicate a hornet nest if you're allergic to their sting. Instead, call a licensed exterminator.
[Edit]References |
Illustration by James Bareham / The Verge 
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Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge 
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Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge 
Left: Matt Birchler's recreation. Right: Apple's original wallpaper. | Matt Birchler, Apple 
Image: Bang & Olufsen 
