How to kill yellow jackets
Above is a photo taken of a bee hive found under a home in Salem. This crawlspace provided the perfect living conditions: a drippy faucet for a water supply and a crack in the siding for easy access under the home.
How to kill yellow jackets:
Yellow jacket nests are typically found underground or in this case the crawlspace under a home. Here are some things to consider before running out with a can of wasp/hornet spray, dressed in your cut-off jeans and t-shirt.
Do:
Do wear thick clothing which will help make it harder for the yellow jackets to sting you. It's best to treat a yellow jacket nest in the early summer before they build a larger colony. Wait for a cool evening as yellow jackets have a harder time flying in temperatures below 50 degrees. Treat with either a dust insecticide, like Sevin, or an aerosol spray (as long as it is able to reach the nest). Once you are certain that all of the yellow jackets are dead, you should fill the hole with rocks, then pack it with dirt. Remember in the winter to kill the queen bees that hide in your outdoor furniture, storage areas, etc.
Don't:
Don't treat or remove yellow jacket nests that are in confined spaces, such as a crawlspace. Yellow jacket nests that are discovered in the late summer/early fall should be left to professionals as the colonies will be large and active.
And always remember....
BE SAFE!!