Opening up a yellow jacket nest

[sassafraspete]

OK... I keep digging .... this time lifting the layer of dirt that covers the cavity...trying to be careful not to drop too much dirt on the paper nest.

 

[sassafraspete]

This is my last shot for now....my battery was running low and this picture is blurry. This one is a close up of the top.... you may make out some jackets laying there, and also may be able to see the top comb layer...which is a small one. I saw some larvae moving. I covered the hole again with my bag after giving it a shot of dope. I will do some other work now...and come back later.

More pictures to follow..... TO BE CONTINUED........

sassafraspete

 

[sassafraspete]

OK, got my battery charged , did some mowing in the meantime... and now for the 3rd and final installment of pictures.

This was flipping over the first layer of comb in the nest.

 

[sassafraspete]

second layer uncovered.....

 

[sassafraspete]

3rd layer flipped over......

 

[sassafraspete]

can you count how many larvae could hatch from this 3rd layer?

 

[sassafraspete]

OK..... finally got to the bottom of this nest...there were 5 layers total. Here are all 5 laid out on a piece of plywood for your review.....

 

[sassafraspete]

This is whats left after removing the 5 layers. It is the outside paper covering....

 

[sassafraspete]

close up and personal..... see the larvae....

 

[sassafraspete]

Let's get a little closer.... theres still a lot of wiggling going on in there....