May I have some yellowjacket help, please?
There is a nest of yellowjackets underground in my yard. Normally I live and let live, but this is very near the house, and the critters seem to be looking at my dogs with too much interest.
I got a big can of wasp/hornet/yellowjacket spray killer and a couple of traps. I figured that I would put the traps out first, thereby reducing the population somewhat, then spray into the nest to get the rest. But they show no interest in the traps. I baited them as the instructions said, with some stinky liquid on cotton balls, hung them up, but since yesterday mid-afternoon they have caught only one sorry-looking yellowjacket. The instructions say to hang the traps at least 20 feet from the nearest nest; why is that?
I also thought of waiting until night when they're all asleep, then pouring a bottle of cheap dishwashing soap down the burrow; I know this kills bugs faster than spray poison does. Would this be ... unwise?