Preserving a hornets nest?

[ffparamedic]

I have a hornets nest that I recovered about 12 years ago, at the time I sprayed it with Polycrylic and hung it in the house and it did well. Over time it has started to break down and started "dusting/flaking" off. Is there a better way to preserve it or just try spraying it again?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[huntaholic123]

I would try a clear polyurethane sealant to prevent further flaking. How do you have the nest displayed? Would like to find one some day

 

[AK Troutbum]

I would try a clear polyurethane sealant to prevent further flaking. How do you have the nest displayed? Would like to find one some day

Come on up to my place in July and I'm sure I could send you home with a large cooler full of them damn things. My favorite way to address the bigger ones (like 8"-10" in diameter) is to blast them out of the trees with a 12 ga.

 

[ffparamedic]

I'll have to take a picture of this one, its really nice. I'd say about 12-14"

 

[ffparamedic]

Also I shot it down with a 12ga and it has a limb attached to it.

 

[AK Troutbum]

Years ago when my son was about 6 years old, I went out late at night (while the wasps were all inside and asleep) and cut one down out of a tree in our yard and set it up so that it would land in a large garbage bag. I tied the bag up and tossed it into the chest freezer. The next morning I pulled it out and let my son dissect out all the dead wasps and larvae. He had a great time, and it kept him busy for the better part of the morning.

 

[ethan]

My dad has done several of these over the years. He usually frames them in lexan with wood on the top, bottom, and 4 small strips on the corners. They look pretty cool. They've held up well too. In fact, I have on in my den that's been incased since I was a boy. (I'm 39!!)