Posted by Heather in GA on August 03, 2008 at 21:29:13:
Just wanted to post some info about a yellow jacket nest that I just destroyed.
No one, especially me, wants to get stung in the process of eliminating a yellow jacket nest. I have 4 kids and hate killing anything, however I have no qualms about killing wasps that could potentially harm my 4 small kids in my backyard.
The yellow jackets (which I have learned are a wasp and an invasive pest that was introduced)were all over my back lawn. They behaved fairly passively, as I mowed over top of them without incidence.... yet I did not know where the nest was located. My husband pinpointed an area for me, as he was attacked by several while weed-whacking near a pine island in our yard.
At dusk, I approached observed them for a bit and finally found the hole in the ground, as they all congregate as nightfall approaches. Make sure you are only dealing with one entrance, as I hear there can be two or three and you should cover those before you treat the main thoroughfare. Um.. good luck with that if there is more than one, but I hear topping them with a bowl works nicely. ;)
I was a bit wary, as there were many yellow jackets hovering above and near the hole.... and I hear there is always a "warrior jacket" on watch if the hive is threatened.
I used a can of Spectracide Wasp and Hornet Killer... I am only posting to let you know this was wonderful! When you first spray it, it produces kind of a *cloud* of spray and then it becomes more direct and finally foams to fill the hole. The initial cloud knocks down all the hovering yellow jackets (included the dreaded warrior *alarm the hive* bee)... then the rest eventually foams and fills the entire nest.
I waited about 10 minutes (because it foamed up so much I could not even see the hole in the ground) and returned. There were no yellow jackets investigating (which impressed me) and then I followed up my attack with a very heavy dose of Sevin Concentrate straight down the hole... just for good measure.
In closing.. I am a wimp. I had no desire to be tough about this whole experience and was terrified of the prospect of having to rid my yard of this nest. I read and read and read on the Internet and finally decided on my method. I decided against gasoline because of the environmental implications (i.e.. killing trees, getting into the water table, etc.) and I have to say this method was ROCK ON!!! Never got stung.. never got approached.. despite the nine layers of sweatpants and turtles necks in August in GA... I'm certain the neighbors still think I am CRAZY!!!!
So anyway.. just wanted to post my success for anyone researching how to take out a large, underground yellow jacket nest. This method was spot on and I will not hesitate to use it again, should I find another nest.
Good Luck!
Heather