Wasps, And Other Related Events..

We( my wife!) noticed our yard had two active "digger" wasp holes... She found this out, by running the lawn mower over one of them and getting stung about five times, while a swarm of them chased her into the house... I hate stinging insects, but I knew I had to do something.. I got on trusty Google, and read up on the little demons! I found out there can be far more nests in a small area of ground, if not controlled. I found out they like sandy soil- and that's what I have here. This time of year is the best time to do something about it- after summer, but before winter. Cool weather and night or darkness is when most are in the nest. Numerous ways to kill them, but as I have a dog, so poison or insecticide was what I wanted to avoid... The solution I went with was cheap, and many reports said that it works great- ammonia! I bought two one gallon jugs, waited until dawn, jammed an open jug into each hole, effectively preventing possible exit of pissed off wasps- blocking it as the ammonia glubbed out. I also stabbed a hole into the bottom of the upturned jug, to allow faster flow... ran for cover and watched.. nothing came out, which is a good sign!
Oddly enough, both nests had been dug out a bit by some critter(possum or skunk)as bits of the internal nest were lying outside the hole... I Googled both animal's diets, and either one could have done it, looking for larvae.. I'll let you know how this worked!
Our Mulberry trees are huge, with a bumper crop of berries this year...It is better than a bird feeder, as it has attracted many birds, other wildife, and little neighbor kids! I'd love to hear their moms chewing the kids out for the stains that don't come out very easily!
Food post will be in a couple of days- much cooking this week-end!