> I think that leaving a shop vac on for awhile is a much better
> alternative to pesticides!
 
Any specific reason, or just a bias against pesticides?
 
Note that pesticides are really a problem when used incompetently --
i.e., in attempts to *eradicate* pests instead of keep them at an
acceptable level.
 
> Many years ago, a friend of mine had to remove a ground hornet nest. He
> tried all of the common pesticides, as well as pouring gasoline down the
> several exit holes, and setting it ablaze. Nothing much happened except
> the hornets getting angrier.
>
> Finally, he hooked up a 35 gallon shop vac to a 30' long piece of 3"
> pipe, covered all but 1 of the holes with fresh cement, and arranged the
> pipe so that it was within a few inches of the last exit. He also stuck a
> pound of rotenone in the shop vac. He left the vac on for 2 weeks!
 
Couldn't you get the same effect by placing a 10 gallon clear water
bottle or tank over the remaining exit?  In the hot sun?
 
Alternately, pouring a dozen or two gallons of boiling water over the nest
can do the job nicely.