Wasps or Yellow Jacket (can't tell the difference by sight, other than unlike bees, they can each sting multiple times) have invaded my backyard under a rock this summer and three cans of wasp insectide later, I think they are now officially dead. Meanwhile, my dog, who has been their main target for attack, will NOT go out anymore, unless forced too, and that is becoming a problem... he is totally traumatized. Don't laugh... it is a sad sight.

They are pretty darn resilient - and whatever anyone intends to do, I would do it after dark, once they are all in and dormant, and shy away from gasoline, as it is a climbing area afterall...

Maybe we should just pour in some crude oil since it is more natural.

If you mean those spray cans used for paper wasp nests, these are pretty ineffective on Yellow Jacket nests in the ground. The best things are powders you squirt in the openings at night, which will blow sideways through the underground passages and which will be further distributed by the insects themselves.

Have a look at

http://www.pestproducts.com/yellow_jacket_elimination.htm

Same thing could be done at the top of Layback. But the public-spirited individual who takes on this task would first have to walk up there during the day and observe the workers flying in and out of the nest openings, which in some cases can be small and hidden by rocks or leaves. The nest openings would then have to be marked so they could be found at night.

As usual, RG presents the rational approach. Still, I feel the fun of the adventure is lessened for the lack of potential explosive carnage.

Great. Just what you want – really pissed off yellow jackets and yellow jacket parts traveling at high velocity along random vectors.

Well, if its adventure you're after, go up there at noon in a bathing suit armed with a flyswatter and jump up and down at the top of Layback.

Explosives are so direct aid.

Maybe two flyswatters.

I'll get the Jackass guys on the case ASAP.

You mean the authors of the new Trapps guide? Cool!