I have one hell of a yellow jacket hive in my yard
 

I was out front and I saw a bunch of yellow jackets swarming around today. I go over to check it out. They have holes in the ground that go no fewer than 25 feet in length and 10 width. :ugh: It's kind of strange that I didn't see them last fall. I killed what I thought was a small nest though.

I'm really interested to see how the exterminators handle this. Has anyone ever had to deal with this? I wonder what the cost is going to be.

Well after doing some research it seems that it can't possibly be yellow jackets. It's too early for them. I have a bunch of holes like this picture though...
http://www.vernalpools.org/Thorp/images/Thorp_18.jpg

I'll have to see what the exterminator says.

bumble bees.....

We call them mud dobbers. I've never been stung by one (they seem pretty docile). Not sure what their technical name is. They just kind of hover around and dig holes. I think they might be beneficial (like they eat grub worms or something?) but I'm not sure. Like I said, I've never had a problem with them so I don't go out and kill them.

Yellow jackets on the other hand, are aggressive. And, about 30 or so of the fuckers built a nest underneath my roof just inside one of the vents where I can't get to the nest itself. I did however notch 26 confirmed kills (two cans of hornet spray) last fall before they disappeared for the winter. Yellow jackets are not to be screwed with - if they are back this year I will hire an exterminator (two little kids would not mix well with these guys).

:run:

Not mud daubers - they build nests of mud above ground. And they are damn ugly looking.

This could be any one of many different solitary bees, which are generally unaggressive. In the yard sounds like a nuisance spot, though, and I'd have an exterminator take care of them.

:google: for solitary bees or mining bees - pretty good information out there.

Mike

Mud Wasps/

I got attacked by these once when I was little. I was push mowing and I mowed over their nest and got swarmed (but only got stung like 3 times)

I don't know how good of an idea this was but my dad just dumped some gas down in the hole :shrug: They never came back...

They're called Cicada Wasps. One of my friends had them (lives in NY) and they are a bitch to get rid of. They tried so many different things, and they just keep coming back. This will be their 3rd summer with them. I asked her about them... and this was her reply...


She also said....
Hope that helps some...

I've never thought of using Sevan dust. We use that on our garden. Works pretty good for bugs, but I've never tried it on bees or wasps.

I also saw websites mentioning what your friend said about them liking bare spots. My yard is such a wasteland, no wonder they love it. I don't think the previous owner did any lawn care. Every time I dig in the dirt I barely find signs of life and when I do find a worm he looks sick. I'm sure this will be the first season in a hell of a long time that the lawn receives fertilizer.

I also read stuff confirming what your friend said about them being hard to get rid of :(.

5 gallon can of gas and a match! :thumbsup:

Just found this website.

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2143.html

So where can I get this Sevin pesticide? HomeDepot?

I'll confirm for ya...

I think HD or Lowes has it. I think I've pick up some from HD. Sevin is NASTY stuff. Wear gloves, a mask and anything else to protect yourself.

Yup, just confirmed... they pick it up at Home Depot when they need it.

And yes, it's quite strong stuff, so be sure to protect yourself.