Adelle wrote:
Hi!

We have a wasp/yellowjacket hive in the ground next to our deck. Not sure
which category the bugs fall into wasp or yellowjacket or what. They are
really aggressive and consider our deck as getting too close to the hive.
After two years of not being able to use the deck, I think its time to get
rid of them.

I hate to use insecticides, but feel that's the only choice I've got.

Which pesticide, and how do I do treat the nest? We are zone 5
(Massachusetts) and the ground is currently still frozen.

If I do this treatment, how long should I wait before planting edibles in
that area (I've coveted the spot for a kitchen herb garden).

Thanks!

There was a similar thread last year, and many folks offered up some
nice solutions. One was to take a 5 gallon bucket, fill it about 4" with
very dry sand. Put a sheet of cardboard on top, then flip it over,
centered on the nest, and slide the cardboard out. Supposedly the bees
come up the ground hole, climb up thru the dry sand, only to find
themselves trapped in the bucket & unable to climb back down thru the
sand. On a hot sunny day, it gets too warm in the bucket they die.

Another, along the same lines but more interesting to watch, is to
simply place a very large clear glass bowl over the hole. Basically the
same result happens, only you can actually see if it is working.

Both methods should be done when the bees are nice & active, probably
several months from now in your area.