Using a can of bug spray to kill a few random arthropod pests that wander into a home is a fine idea, but no amount of over-the-counter insecticides can effectively eliminate a full-blown insect infestation. This is certainly the case when it comes to infestations of structural insect pests, like termites and carpenter ants, which nest within a home’s structural wood, leaving very few DYI pest control options available to affected residents. Even nuisance insect pests, like stink bugs, Asian lady beetles, and many ant species, can be hard to eradicate from a home due to their habit of invading wall voids, floorboards, and other areas of a home that cannot be readily accessed.

There may be a few individuals in the world who have successfully eradicated stubborn insect pest infestations without the assistance of a licensed pest control professional, but just about anyone can agree that removing dangerous hornet nests from properties is a task best left to professionals. Of course, there are those who insist on handling these sorts of household issues on their own, but who would use fireworks to destroy an active hornet nest attached to a third story awning? The answer to this question is David Schmida of Sturgridge, but he has likely changed his mind, as his pyrotechnically minded DYI pest control method did not turn out as he had hoped.

Shooting fireworks at an active hornet nest that is attached to the third story of a house sounds like the most hazardous activity humanly possible, but after Schmida’s attempt to kill the nesting hornets with a can of Raid failed, he figured Roman candles were the next best option.. Schmida took aim at the hornet nest, and the first three roman candle projectiles missed the target, but the fourth made contact and caused the nest to burst into flames. Initially, Schmida felt victorious, but within seconds, he realized that the eaves and roof of his house had caught fire due to his shenanigans. Now there exists a small hole on Schmida’s roof, and the Roman candles he used to destroy the hornet nest are illegal in Massachusetts, but at least he no longer has to worry about hornet stings. Schmida’s brother, Matthew, recorded the ill conceived operation, and now the video can be viewed on Facebook and a variety of media sites

Have you ever lost your temper while struggling to kill a bothersome insect pest?