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Published on 09/09/01

Yellow Jackets Swarm on 'Gardening'


UGA CAES File Photo

Walter Reeves

Despite the fact that the University of Georgia sponsors "Gardening in Georgia," this week's show focuses on yellow jackets. Host Walter Reeves shows where yellow jackets live in underground nests.

You really don't want yellow jackets in your yard. If disturbed, these fierce stingers swarm to attack. The best way to eliminate a nest is to spray liquid Sevin into the hole, Reeves says. (But remember that nests sometimes have more than one entrance.) Sevin won't harm surrounding grass.

The program airs on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 7:30 p.m. and will be rebroadcast Saturday, Sept. 15, at noon on Georgia Public Television.

A Yellow Jacket Trap

Reeves shows how to make a yellow jacket trap out of a gallon jar and a plastic funnel, with cat food and apple sauce as bait.

But be careful. Reeves and his camera crew get to know these pests up close and personal. Final score: Yellow jacket stings 9, eliminated nests 1.

Farmers lime their land in the fall because most of their crops had been harvested by then. But Reeves says any time is a good time to lime if your soil needs it. He shows how to use a pH test kit to determine lime needs.

Plant Perennials in Fall

It's a great idea to install perennial plants in the fall. That will give them all winter and spring to establish good root systems. Walter demonstrates how to plant perennials properly.

"Gardening in Georgia" airs each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. It's rebroadcast every Saturday at noon. The show's Web site provides further information.

The show is produced especially for Georgia gardeners by the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and GPTV.

Dan Rahn is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.