As I ate my sandwich outdoors, a persistent yellow and black insect kept circling me. Getting closer and closer, it landed on my paper plate. I carefully shooed it away, hoping not to anger it. I have an innate fear of this insect, having been painfully stung years ago. This aggressive insect is a yellowjacket.

Yellowjackets, a social wasp, are more visible and downright hangry in August and September. They usually nest underground, but can also burrow into openings under house siding or shingles.

While I fear yellowjackets, the same is not true for bees. Bees have a separate lineage from wasps. This year, I have a bumblebee colony living under my front sidewalk. The bumblebees are using an old rodent burrow and the nest entrance is in a small flower garden. I am not worried about this n

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