First of all, the wasp family is large. As with any large family in biology, the common name used to talk about a particular species often is confusing. For the purposes of this article, I am using the common name "yellow jacket" to represent any of the species of ground nesting social wasps that pretty much are characterized as aggressive with a bad attitude.
| There is nothing funny about yellow jackets, especially when their nests are disturbed. (They particularly don't like their nest run over by a mulching mower!) They are known for their aggressive behavior and can be dangerous, even deadly. While they do eat other insects and are, indeed, a part of the ecosystem, the danger they pose to humans far out weighs any benefit provided by a nest in area frequently used by people. | |
Ground dwelling wasps build nests that, if dug up, look much like a hornets nest. The opening, however, is on the top and the nest extends into the ground. In the early spring, queens who have survived the winter begin a new nest and over the course of the summer they lay eggs and tend to the young, with the help of the workers which hatch. By the end of the summer, the colony has produced a number of new queens who will create their on nest the next year. The workers don't live though the winter.
While they are busy tending to the young, yellow jackets are notably less aggressive, but they will still fiercely defend their nest from any disturbance. Once the summer's end approaches and the young have matured, yellow jackets tend to become very aggressive and workers are known to be particularly dangerous at this time (Maybe it is because they are ticked off by the fact that they did all the work, but they don't get to live through the winter!)
If you come upon a yellow jacket nest, the environmentally considerate thing to do is to stay completely away from it. However, if it is in your yard, this is not possible. Unless you are willing to give up your yard to these guys, something must be done. If you have small children or pets, destroying the nest seems to be the only real option.
To destroy a yellow jacket nest, extreme precautions must be taken. First, you must locate the nest. It will be evident by the yellow jackets going in and out, will be a hole about the size of a nickel with slightly raised edges, and may be among the roots of a tree or bush. Often, they will be located among debris such as leaves, or in isolated areas of a bed covered with mulch.
After locating the nest, prepare your weapons. Forget about all the old timer's use of gasoline and other petroleum products. Better, safer, and legal means are available. Here are a few products that can be used effectively on yellow jackets, but check with your state/local regulations before using any product. Always read and follow label directions....
My pick is the 20 + foot stream propelled wasp and hornet killers!
After locating the nest and picking the weapon, you must next plan your attack. Determine the direction from which you will spray and the direction in which you will run (like mad) should something go wrong. As you plan your attack (which will come at dusk or later) consider if you will be able to see the hole. If not, locate a place to prop a flashlight that will shine on the hole.
Now, here is a point worthy of a paragraph unto itself. Don't hold the flashlight. IF THEY ATTACK, they will fly to the light. Put the light away from your escape route over to one side.
After dusk get your weapons, prop up the light if necessary, and blast away. Don't spare the ammo. The nest is, perhaps as large as a basketball.
| Once you see no signs of the enemy, apply a layer of Sevin dust to the hole. Any survivors will crawl through this and die later. If you don't have Sevin, fill the hole with a cup of diazinon or Dursban® pellets/power.
The next day, armed with another canister of the 20+ foot stream propelled spray, inspect the hole. IF you see any signs of stinging insects, repeat the process. It is advisable to wear protective clothing when dealing with yellow jackets. If you are allergic to bees, then, perhaps, you should have someone deal with them for you. |
 This is the end of the yellow jacket you DON"T want to see! |
On-line Sources
Terminix -- http://www.terminix.com/cgi-bin/pest/text.cgi?yellowjacket&pestlib
CSU -- http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/IPM/ento/j525d.html
http://www.frognet.net/~health/yellowja.htm
http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/yellowja.html
http://cabarrus.ces.state.nc.us/staff/dgoforth/newsart/yellowjacket.html
http://www.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/modc1/82694007.html
http://www0.delphi.com/garden/pests/home/yellowjackets.html