My oddly effective method of removing wasp nests

At one time, I had the largest organic gardens in N. Ohio. We also had many honeybee hives. Pollination was no problem. But, after many years, my bee guy moved. And I had to decide if I wanted to keep bees myself or try something else. I went with "something else". With a great deal of trepidation, and some worry, I decided to see if the natural pollinators would come back to my land (European honeybees tend to run the naturals out of an area). Thankfully the natural pollinators returned. And we have had very successful gardens ever since.

The point of this is that wasps and hornets and bumble bees and many other usually thought of as "problem" insects can be your friend. Don't be too quick to destroy them. I have used the sweeper trick to good effect, but in the main, whenever possible, I leave the natural pollinators alone. Sometimes I just give them space. Sometimes I have placed stake and string around where they are. Sometimes I have posted signs.

So, my advice is to let nature be nature. Sometimes when we humans think there is a problem there is no problem. Sometimes when there is a problem, the solution is for the human to change what they are doing instead of the human erasing the problem. Or simply put, just be nice and thoughtful. And who knows, the Fairies might even appreciate your politeness.

I agree with Jim that there can be situations when wasps can be your friend.

If the nest is in an out-of-way spot why not just ignore the nest?

I would like to ask Larry what happens when a person opens up that vacuum?  Are there a lot of angry wasps?

I'm actually a BIG fan of wasps. BUT these two nests were preventing me from even being around my garden in that area.

They had to go.

I waited a day with the shop vac out on the sunny patio before I opened it...they were all dead.

I removed a wasp nest in my garden shed at night, with a fish net, and threw it into my garden pond. It sank during the night and I guess the fish ate the larvae (even courageous humans eat them!) but adult wasps survived and they rebuilt the nest in a few days. In the same garden shed but somehow the new spot is harder to access with my fish net and I can't remove it ;) smart wasps!
I may still try that again though. At night they're sleepy and very calm. And my fish seem to enjoy the snack.