To prepare for removal of this structure, a bee suit, goggles and respirator were worn. The sting, of A yellow jacket burns for nearly 12 hours. Several hundred stings may result in serious injury or death.

After suiting up, the portals( entries ) were injected with a pyrethroid aerosol. Thousands of wasps rushed toward my face, clinging to my veil. I dared not to lean backward lest the protruding lance-like stingers reached my face

Alarm pheromones filled the cool evening air. Buzzing attackers clung to my protective clothing. Without goggles, some of the toxins would have irritated my eyes and nose.

After instilling the aerosol, I waited about 10 min. to allow the chemical time to affect the nervous systems of the yellow jackets. if thousands of insects had attacked simultaneously, unlucky stings would have resulted.

This is your last opportunity to admire the wonderful design of this very interesting member of hymenoptera. Were it not for their ferocious nature, yellow jackets would make an interesting exhibit in a park or home.

This photo shows the brood area. Notice that the layers of combs orientate downward. Each comb is topped with resin. These features protect the brood from harm. The yellow jackets also place supports between the combs.

There was over 100 lbs of brood material in this large nest. I am certain that many thousands of mosquitoes and caterpillars were caught, masticated, and fed to these developing young.

The trunk of the palm tree is beginning to appear. The wasps have effective mouth parts to chew into wood which they pulperize into their nest.

Man, what a job. I loved every moment. Although I did not savor killing this beautiful colony of wasps, the joy of providing a safe environment for the human inhabitants, transcended any remorse I felt.

The Lake can now be enjoyed by those who jog and bike in this area. Kids can

play along the sandy beach and all may feel safer.

R. Mills Biologist.