Defending the homeland against intruders

[dave77]

I definitely get rid of paper wasp's nests if they are close by and where I'm likely to get stung but paper wasps are not nearly as aggressive as ground hornets which don't seem to be that common around here.

According to Wiki they are beneficial "Most wasps are beneficial in their natural habitat and are critically important in natural biocontrol.[3] Paper wasps feed on nectar and other insects, including caterpillars, flies, and beetle larvae. Because they are a known pollinator and feed on known garden pests, paper wasps are often considered to be beneficial by gardeners.[10]"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_wasp

[bandit1250]

I am having problems at a home my wife's niece owns and I keep the grass mowed. My wife and I both got stung by the ground nesting yellow jackets. I marked the spot with a piece of wood where the hole was and went back after dark and poured some gas in the hole and lit it off. The grass hasn't fully recovered but at least the bees are not there. My wife and I both have bad reactions to bee stings. There is a bee problem at most yards on the street where this home is. I am going to mow the rest of the mowing season just before dark.

[Mags]

We haven't been able to go outside with any kind of food without being pestered by yellow jackets. I finally put out fresh baited traps. Here are pictures of the traps after one days catch. Both yellow jackets and hornets. We ate dinner last night outside without bother.

[Redthies]

Vacuum contained 2 to 3 " of the yellow jackets. Hate those useless critters.

Yellow jackets are actually very effective pollinators. That said, I kill every nest of them I see. I hate them too.

[Redthies]

Well planned counter offensive sir.
I discovered a large hornet nest in a tree about seven feet above ground. I have been able to coexist with them. If I had those ground dwelling terrorists I would have gone scorched earth.

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I once had a hornet nest of similar size in a bush right at face level on the tractor. I found it as I mowed as far under the bush as I could, and saw the nest when it was about 12” from my face! I squealed like a six year old girl and had that tractor in reverse so fast it’d make your head spin! That evening it met with the death in a can. It was way too close to the pool and patio door for comfort.

[Mags]

I ran over an in-ground nest once with the tractor and rear mower deck. Got stung multiple times. Could not get the tractor to go fast enough to get away. Later that evening the nest got the flaming diesel dose of death.