CLOSED: Are these Yellow Jackets? Sandhills Hornets?

Sidney, OH(Zone 6a)

My elderly neighbor asked me to help her identify these insects. They have created a hole in the wood siding of her home and prevent her from walking onto her deck. They are quite active during the day, entering and exiting the hole. She has sprayed inside the hole with an entire can of Wasp and Hornet killer over a 3-day period, and a few have died (pictured), but the spray doesn't seem to have slowed down the activity. They are about 1/2" in length. I checked bugguide.net, and photos of Yellow Jackets or Sandhills Hornets seem to be the closest match. Is there a difference between the two? If so, which insect did I photograph? What is the best way to get rid of them?

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Minot, ND

These certainly could be the species Dolichovespula arenaria, which is know both as the aerial yellowjacket and sandhills hornet - http://bugguide.net/node/view/12983/bgimage
Try contacting your county extension office for control recommendations - http://extension.osu.edu/locate-an-office

Lucketts, VA(Zone 7a)

During the night, when they are all inside, set up a vaccuum cleaner with the open end of the hose right at their entrance. Turn it on early in the morning and let it run. As they eixt the hole they are immediately sucked up. As an added feature, the sound of the vaccuum irritates they and they exit to investigate, thus drawing them to their demise.

Sidney, OH(Zone 6a)

Thank you for the confirmation. I'd have to do the work with her vacuum cleaner, and I don't think she'd allow it, but I'll check with her. Otherwise, I'll contact our local Master Gardeners. Thanks again.

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