Traditional methods (I am forgetting some as I am a bit spread thin) of the tropics:
Fire...many forms and methods...
Encapsulate in clay...then again fire...
Diatomaceous earth dusting...expensive and not always effectively fast enough to stop swarming...
Traditional turpentine in a
spray bottle (or in a
bucket with a whiskey brush) ...and you guessed it...the stranglers are burned....
None of the above is fun or pretty...Leaf Cutters...outside insect zoos, and "pretty
magazine articles" are a serious challenge. Check with locals (of
course no pesticide methods) and see what they may have to offer. Please let us know how it progresses for you.
Oh...by the way...you will be stung...often!...in dealing with this lot...they are ferocious! Make sure you are not anaphylactic to hymenoptera defenses, and/or have an epi pen close by and help.
Good Luck!
j
