Yellow Jackets
To eliminate yellow jackets under
ground, apply insecticide (Sevin Dust 5%) at night to the nest entrance.
Do not cover with soil. Wear protective clothing and a bee veil. In
the cited reference, the term "wasps" refers to hornets, yellow
jackets, paper wasps, mud daubers, digger wasps, cicada killers, and any other
wasp species that frequently are a problem around structures.
Nests can be found underground, under eaves, in wall voids, and in trees and
shrubs. Ground-nesting wasps, such as yellow jackets, often build
subterranean paper nests. Other species of wasps build aerial paper nests
in trees, under eaves, or within wall voids. These nests can contain
thousands of individuals, all with the ability to sting. Some solitary
species, such as mud daubers, construct galleries of mud where they stash
paralyzed spiders and other prey. After laying an egg in the gallery, the
female seals it shut, thus leaving a plentiful food supply for the next
generation. Solitary wasps will sting if provoked.
Due to their stinging nature, the physical removal of bees and wasps is difficult.
Yet, if you take careful action, physical removal is possible. It is
advisable to wear protective clothing or to simply ask a professional pest
control operator to physically remove the pests. The best time to
attempt removal is after dark Yellow jackets are attracted to light. So place a
flashlight on one side of the ground nest opening and spray from the opposite
side. The yellow jackets will be attracted to the light away from you.
Different chemically based management suggestions are listed below.
1. Aerosol sprays can be used
to quickly knock down and kill individual nuisance bees and wasps. Only a
small amount of spray is needed to kill the individual. Aerosols can also
be used once a nest has been removed and placed into a bag. A small amount
of the insecticide can be sprayed into the bag, providing the necessary
lethal dosage.
2. Silica aerogel dust can be applied along with aerosol sprays to
destroy underground nests. The pyrethroid acts as a quick knockdown agent
and the silica aerogel acts as a long-term insecticide. The silica aerogel
works by absorbing the outer waxy layer on insect bodies. Without the waxy
layer, insects dehydrate relatively quickly.
3. Do NOT use gasoline in any situation. Gasoline is highly flammable
and volatile. In addition, gasoline renders the treated soil infertile. Soil
often absorbs the gasoline before it contacts the nest. The resulting
fumes, instead of having the desired effect, actually irritate the wasps
and may make the problem worse. Using gasoline is a very dangerous procedure.
Reference(s):
