I've ID'd these as follows (but may be wrong?):
Family Vespidae - Yellowjackets and Hornets, Paper Wasps; Potter, Mason and Pollen Wasps
Subfamily Vespinae - Hornets and Yellowjackets
Genus Vespula
Species squamosa - Southern Yellowjacket
They are fairly aggressive and have managed to upset the customer on several occasions, one sending him to the ER. They reside in a drain system that takes their nesting area underground and out of sight. I was called because they assumed they were honey bees. Obviously they are not, but need to be removed all the same.
I've dealt with plenty of the paper wasp (also called "Yellowjackets" around here), and removed many honey bee colonies, but this is my first encounter with these ground dwelling hot tempered rascals.
The customer obviously wants them gone and don't really care how that happens. I am not in the habit of killing anything, but this may become an exception if there's no reasonable alternative.
I thought of maybe attempting a trap out cage of some sort, not like the traditionally bee trap-out, but more like a crab trap, mainly to simply get them out and gone. But I have no idea how long that may take since I don't have a clue about the life cycle of these girls. Not to mention, if they live underground, chances are they are diggers and may figure out an escape from a trap - even if I were able to get it sealed up around their entrance area somehow. (was thinking of a 1/8 hardware cloth box with cement / mortar around the base.)
However, plan B may be to use a fogger type pesticide to get the ones that are inside the cavity. But then how often will this process need to be repeated as hatch-lings emerge?
Any one with experience with these guys have any suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
GD