Most bees and wasps are nonaggressive and should be left alone when possible. The western yellow jacket wasp is an exception to the rule.

These black-and-yellow-striped, thin-waist insects will attack in mass, stinging multiple times when provoked. They steal honey and kill bees as well. Identifying and eliminating yellow jacket nests can help make outdoor areas safer for all.

Step 1: Western yellow jackets nest in abandoned rodent holes and other openings. Look for holes and divots in the yard and fill them whenever possible.

Step 2: Watch for yellow jacket activity. Queens nest in late spring and by fall there can be thousands of wasps in one colony. Activity centers around the nest, but wasps forage for food up to 1/4 mile away.

Step 3: If a nest is found, avoid the area as much as possible. Sudden movement or vibrations, such as those from lawn mowers or string trimmers, can be interpreted as aggression and incite a wasp attack. Wear protective clothing when doing yard work and mow in the early morning or late evening when wasps are less active.

Step 4: If wasps do attack, walk quickly away from the area. Do not hit or crush the wasps. When wasps are crushed or injured, they emit a pheromone that signals other yellow jackets to attack.

Step 5: Depending on the size and location of the nest, spraying the nest with a pesticide is typically not an effective solution. Dusting the opening with Permethrin or Carbaryl powder can eventually eliminate the bulk of a colony over time.

Step 6: Flooding the nest is a very effective way to eliminate yellow jackets. Begin by cutting an “X” in the center of a piece of metal window screen. Late at night, place the screen over the nest. Weight the edges of the screen down with rocks, bricks or other heavy objects.

Step 7: Wearing protective clothing, pour a half bottle of dish soap into the hole through the “X” in the screen. Dish soap breaks the water friction, allowing the wasps to drown.

Step 8: Stick a garden hose into the “X” and allow it to run for 20 minutes.

Step 9: Keep the hole covered and check for activity over the next few days. Repeat the process if necessary.

Step 10: When activity has stopped, remove the screen and fill the hole with fresh dirt.

— Have a home improvement question for the Fix-It Chick? Email it to Linda Cottin at features@ljworld.com.