I've had quite a bit of luck placing a large clear glass jar or bowl over a
yellow jacket
hole. Do it at night when they are all in the nest. Try to get a good seal
between the jar and
the ground. The yellow jackets will be able to fly so they won't (usually)
dig a new exit.
But, they can't get out to gather food, so they all die. Can take a week to
finish them all off.
 
Hope it works for you,
 
Kevin
> The lady who tends the flowers and garden at my parish came to me to
> remove the bees in "her" flower garden.  Turns out they are yellow
> jackets who have made a hive in a mound of dirt around some new plants. 
> As the parish priest, I must say that I have no compunction about
> removing/ejecting these critters, but how do I do this without killing, 
> maiming or otherwise injuring those "sacred" plants so lovingly
> installed by this lady, aka the "mother superior"?   Thanks.