Wasps in bush threatens landscapers in Bridgewater, NJ

I was sent to home in Bridgewater, NJ, a township in Somerset County, to deal with a yellowjacket infestation. Landscapers were trying to trim some bushes at the residence and came across a tricky situation: Yellowjackets decided to make a nest in the ground deep in the middle of the bush. Some wasps like paper wasps and baldfaced hornets like to build there nests above ground. Yellowjackets, on the other hand, prefer to dig their nests in hidden locations such as in a wall cavity, under or behind siding, or even, like here, a hole in the ground. The problem with yellowjacket nests is that you can easily disrupt them without realizing it. Also, of all the wasps. most would agree that yellowjackets are the nastiest and most aggressive of the bunch. Most wasps will only sting you if they feel you are intruding on your nest. I get the feeling that yellowjackets will sting you just for the fun of it, and their stings are especially painful. Whenever we see their distinctive bold yellow and black markings, we instinctively move as far away as possible. They are not an insect to mess with.

As i cautiously approached the nest hiding underneath the bush, i realized that I would have to get up close and personal to treat this nest. Because of its location in the bushes, a telescopic extension pole was not an option. I put on my protective bee suit because I knew that these wasps would not appreciate my presence there, especially once I started treatment. With the protective suit, I walked right up to the nest entrance where I could safely apply the residual dust right into the nest cavity housing dozens of ornery yellowjackets just itching to sting me. 

The homeowners were appreciative that I could get out there so quickly to take care of the problem. No one had yet been stung by these yellowjackets. These types of jobs are especially satisfying for me. I’m glad that I was able to keep the property safe and yellow-jacket free for both the family and the landscapers.