http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/ ... 010016.jpg
Yep yellow jackets. They are in my back yard. My first thought was to wipe them out and I did pour some water down the hole but it did not kill them. Then I realized that I can stand right on top of the hole and yellow jackets would fly around me coming and going. I have walked over the hole several times forgetting they were there and have not been stung, yet. They have not bothered the bee hives that I have seen, so we live in peace. I am careful not to run over the hole with the lawn mower that may make them a bit ill. What do you think?
Yellow Jackets
I have a system in place. 1st--locate yellow jackets with finding tool/lawn mower, 2nd--tend to the fruits of my discovery, 3rd--mark the location with bricks so that I don't rediscover the nest.
Yellow jackets are now harvesting crawling honey bees in front of my hives and I have not had any problems with them trying to raid an active hive and I have not had problems with them once I know where they are.
Yellow jackets are now harvesting crawling honey bees in front of my hives and I have not had any problems with them trying to raid an active hive and I have not had problems with them once I know where they are.
Wally,
I have holes in other places as well but they don't have any yellow jackets.
Jacobs,
Sounds like a good system, I have thought about putting bricks out as well but was concerned about hitting them with the mower.
May not have to worry about the yellow jackets. Looks like a skunk or something has been busy digging around the hole. I wonder if yellow jackets are as tasty as honey bees.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/ ... ackets.jpg
I have holes in other places as well but they don't have any yellow jackets.
Jacobs,
Sounds like a good system, I have thought about putting bricks out as well but was concerned about hitting them with the mower.
May not have to worry about the yellow jackets. Looks like a skunk or something has been busy digging around the hole. I wonder if yellow jackets are as tasty as honey bees.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/ ... ackets.jpg
Well it looks like the skunk or whatever came back and had a meal. The hole is much larger and there are bits of comb visible.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/ ... d002-1.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/ ... d001-1.jpg
Edited Nov 3rd
Well the skunk came back last night and finished off the yellow jackets nest. Just need to fill the hole in with some dirt, thats the end of that story.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/ ... d002-1.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/ ... d001-1.jpg
Edited Nov 3rd
Well the skunk came back last night and finished off the yellow jackets nest. Just need to fill the hole in with some dirt, thats the end of that story.