(One of the downsides of living alone- when something actually works for
a change, there is nobody to tell about it.)

Anyway, there have been regular threads on here, from me and others, on
how to kill the nests of the ground-dwelling bees/wasps/whatever, that
do a passable imitation of a fountain if you accidentally drive the
mower over them. I had one in my front yard that I had been mowing
around for over a month, edging the mower as close to it as I dared, and
not taking my eyes off it. Repeated mega-doses of Sevin and Raid
long-distance spray cans did NOTHING. So last night, I combined bits of
several proposed cures, and came up with something painless that worked
for me. After dark, when the bees(or whatever) were all tucked in for
the night, I went out a laid an old screen from a storm window over the
hole, and weighted it down with some angle iron I had laying around, to
make sure it cut off all escape routes through the (by now tall) grass
blades. I then poured about 2 glugs from a jug of Simple Green on the
screen (although about any soap would work, I suppose). and directed the
hose at the center of the screen for about five minutes. Got home from
work today, stared through the screen awhile, saw no movement. Took the
angle iron and screen off, prepared to run like hell. Nothing. The Flood
of soapy water did the trick. Supposedly the soap makes them
non-waterproof? Went out back and got some dirt from a pile some possum
had kindly made on the slab around my shed, and carried a scoop shovel
full back up front, filled in the hole, and stomped it down. I suppose I
ought to throw some grass seed on it, if it isn't too late.

But anyway, that window screen and angle iron will be going in the
'save' pile, instead of the next load for Habitat. I'm sure I'll get
more stinging things moving in next year.

Standard disclaimer- I harbor no ill will toward bees, and if they had
moved 40 feet in any direction, I would have had no quarrel with them. I
even weeded the garden last month with them flying around inches from my
hands, and they didn't get upset.They do good work, etc. But they just
freak out when running lawnmowers are within X number of feet. The fussy
neighbors would shoot me if I let the yard grow tall, and I don't get
enjoy getting stung, so sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Why do
the bees always insist in using the gopher holes in the grass, instead
of the ones actually in the garden or under the hedges?

Hope this helps somebody out there.

--
aem sends...