[Siouxfly]

Does anyone know if wasps are the gardeners friend or foe?
Ie. Do they do any pollinating etc or do they just cause trouble and sting folk?
Or maybe they do something else useful, do they?
I'm asking as the corner I had left to put my squash in has obviously got a wasps nest underground in it, they are everywhere and I'm not sure whether to just leave them, call in the exterminators or what?
I am terrified of the darned things and couldn't possible muster the courage to plant my squash there now so it's left me with a dilema as I have 5 ready to go out, they are getting far too big for their pots and I've no spare space anywhere else. I chose that corner as it's very sunny and warm for the squash but apparently the darned wasps like a hotspot too!
Wish I wasn't such a coward, I'd try and get rid of them myself if I was brave.

[Ice]

I can't think of a good thing to say about wasps.  I would definately get a professional in to eradicate them.

[Y.E.A.H]

i'm a little scared of wasps but i think they are great little creatures 

The adults usually feed on sweet things such as nectar and fruit but they are also predators as they catch and kill thousands of "baddie" insects, mainly flies, to feed to their young. They help to control the population of other insects.

They are also prey as they are eaten by many animals including badgers, dragonflies, weasels, mice, frogs, fish and birds. The birds that eat them include warblers, swifts, flycatchers and honey buzzards.

[8doubles]

Wasps do eat a lot of caterpillars and other pests but you have to consider your own safety first . The time to apply a tin of wasp killer is at night when they are asleep.

[scabs]

Wasps do good as a predator.

I'd still wipe them off the face of the planet, the nasty little... 

[JayG]

Even though I really don't like killing things I would draw the line at having a wasp nest in my garden; it must massively increase the risk of getting stung.

Wasp killer is quite readily available (if you're brave enough!) or you can check with the pest control department of your local council or of course with a private pest-control company like Rentokil.

[Siouxfly]

Okay thanks folks and as much as I like to do my utmost to keep the old food chain going strong I think it's the end of the line for them. They have been causing a bit of a problem with the dogs today and as one of mine is a bit daft I fear for her safety. She's been trying to eat them!  
Son number one is willing to try spraying something tonight and if that fails I'll call the council in. Just need to pop out and buy something, I take it B&Q will have some kind of wasp killer? Well I hope so anyway as that's where I'm off to.

[scabs]

Word to the wise, don't try stamping on the nest.

Doesn't work... 

[Siouxfly]

Word to the wise, don't try stamping on the nest.

Doesn't work... 

Oh lordie I don't know whether to laugh or cry at that??? 
You never?

[Lardman]

I've used the foam stuff (cant remember the name) several times - its got a huge range, you spray the nest and run off for an hour or 2.

[scabs]

Word to the wise, don't try stamping on the nest.

Doesn't work... 

Oh lordie I don't know whether to laugh or cry at that??? 
You never?

I might have...   

I haven't since, mind. Never run so fast in all my life - I was only a boy!

[peterjf]

ive seen wasps taking grubs and catterpillars back to their nest ,

its only when they drink sugary drinks that they get aggessive, a bit like my wife ,

its also awkward if their nest is on your plot , or your plot is on their flight path

to me they are not a problem , easy come easy go

[peterjf]

wilkos sell the cheapest wasp killer , about  £5-50, 

[PennyS]

Word to the wise, don't try stamping on the nest.

Doesn't work... 

My great uncle once tried to get rid of a wasps' nest with dynamite.  Result: one huge homeless and very angry wasp population chasing him through his garden.
He didn't try that again 

[scabs]

I bow to the master!