Generally if a wasp nest is not near a regular pathway, I leave it as they do a good job with pests but if they are in an area that could be dangerous, I will get rid of them. I usually spray them with ordinary fly spray (then run real fast), wait until the wasps are dead, then knock the nest down and spray any that missed out the first time.

My grandfather use to roll up a piece of paper and light the end (like a torch or candle) and burn the wasps and nest, but that will only work in an easily accessible place.

Hubby heard me screaming and came over armed with a stick but when he seen what they were he got the Termite spray and sprayed then with that, he must have killed them as I never seen another wasp after that. He pulled that creeper out too if it had not been on the pool fence he probably would have put some diesel on it and lit a match, a cheap way of getting rid of all the termites and biting insects he reckons.....Cheers..MM.

I do hope your Mother is okay. That really was a scary experience for her.

Cheers,
Dee.

if it's the european wasp most local councils will get rid of them free of charge.

as for other varieties - ashmeri's advice is good - if you can run quick :-)

yes best time to deal with the nest is after dark and before sunup when all the wasps are there, use the paper and fire trick but be careful wouldn't be good to read about it in the news hey lol. i usally hit them with the fly spray then pull the nest(s) off by hand and put them in the bin be careful not to stand on dying wasps but if you are bare feeted.

but generally if they are in a place where risk of stinging is low i leave them alone as they are part of my organic system, but those little grey paper wasps common in most suburban gardens are a bad bunch the other sorts of paper wasps don't seem to so angry.

len

the paper wasp is probably a bit of a pussy cat against that.

len