We have hornets!

[lipskidder]

Well, my mom does.

We cleared some failed sod from the backyard and made a pile by the trash cans. Dirt, grass all mixed together we were planning on slowing dumping in our can when space allowed. That was a few months ago. Now we go to start shoveling only to find hornets (we have a bee expert stop by to identify them) living inside. Vicious ones too. We can't find an exterminator to come out to get rid of them. Anyone ever have a problem like this where we need to uncover and remove their mound without killing ourselves in the process?

A neighbor said to cover the mound in gasoline and let it soak in. Sounds dangerous and unsafe to the ground (even though there is no plant growth in that area of the yard and we were thinking of xeriscaping). The mound backs up to an alley and we thought of spraying hornet spray (with 25 ft reach) from the window then rolling up the window and driving away but the expert says they will get to you before you can start rolling it up.

[graylocks]

google is your friend. especially the hits where the National Park Service deals with this. basically, you need to observe their entrance holes and spray poison into it. covering your bods as much as possible helps. burning is a NPS option though i was too chicken to try it myself. i had them lodged in a railroad tie retaining wall this year. i have to nuke all openings and then seal with expanding foam. looks ugly but over the course of a few weeks it did work. i didn't wear any gear beyond long pants but i did make sure to have a clear exit path back to my patio door!

[AllGold]

Observe the entrance(s) during the day. Once you have found the entrance, wait till dark, because the majority of them are out of the nest during the day foraging for food but will return by dark. Go out with a flashlight and a spray can of wasp killer. Spray the entire can into the hole. Problem solved. In my experience, no need to be frightened during the after-dark spraying; they are unable to do anything (except die).

[michaelb]

You need a better expert. Are they yellow jackets or hornets? I didn't think of hornets living underground, so those are likely yellow jackets. Generally, spraying the nest/holes at dusk or night with Wasp and hornet spray works fine with little or no risk to you (ok, wear long sleeves and pants, gloves and a hat and keep an eye out.

[Trouble]

Fuck em. Gas and a flare is what I would do. Hornets aren't anything to screw around with.

[blooz]

I've never been stung while spraying a hornet or yellow jacket nest. Before that, when i stepped on the damn nest, yes.

[Michael]

Lowe's has Ultra Kill Wasp and Hornet Killer on sale for $1 right now. I'd buy a couple of extras just in case.

[DaviDC.]

AllGold got it right.

There's usually one hornet guarding the entrance, but it's easy to see 'em come & go. I prefer the wasp killer that shoots a stream of liquid rather than the foam, but both are effective.