Indiscriminant killing of bees and wasps should be avoided since they are important pollinators.
Control measures should be conducted at dusk or dawn since wasps are active during the day. Try not to use a flashlight since they are attracted to the light, but if you must use a flashlight make sure to cover the lens with red plastic to reduce their attaction to the light.
Use a chemical control sprays containing mint oil, permethrin, tetramethrin, or tralomethrin. Be sure to read and follow all label directions. Underground nests can be controlled with permethrin. Immediately after application shovel some soil down the hole and then run fast, run far.
Above ground nests can be dusted with cabaryl (Sevin) pesticide to coat the opening. Read and follow all label directions. The insecticide should not clog the nest. The dust can also be placed on a small piece of steel wool or cotton to surround the hole. As the wasps go in and out they get the pesticide on their bodies. As they groom, they ingest the pesticide. The nests should be killed in about five days; remove and destroy.
