(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.