99 Red Balloons... and 2600 Yellowjackets

Utah is an interesting girl. While everyone else is burning up, Utah is cold, shivering in its 48 degree average in June 2009. Utah is that coworker that wears a blanket, even when its 90 degrees in the office. The homeless guy that always wears sweatpants and that big Lugz jacket he found outside the Burlington Coat Factory.

Anyway, it finally warmed up last week after a seven month winter and a six week spring. Last week, it hit the 90's and has continued to maintain this temperature. So, in the fashion of summer, we set up a pool (a BIG one.. awws yeah!) and had a big family barbecue this weekend.

On Saturday, my mother in law decided to walk up to the top of our deck and take some photos of the awesome mountain views that we have in our back yard. She swatted away a few yellowjackets thinking they were just on the prowl for pollen.

That was, until she walked down the stairs and noticed several nests hidden under the railing.

As we did a thorough inspection, we found a HUGE paper wasp nest that wasn't there a week prior. Being the adventurer, I found a huge metal can and filled it with poison. We sprayed the nests and watched the bugs fall to their death.

But those that lived... oh... those that lived...

ATTACK!

My bro in law and myself ran inside and closed the screen. Looking at the screen 5 minutes later, there were 5 - 10 just sitting there... waiting.

They had us surrounded. Like the police - except there were no negotiators.

Fortunately it was at night. Unfortunately, we forgot to turn off all the flood lights, cover the pool, or get our shoes from the porch.

Two hours later, I had to get my 7 year old daughter to climb through the second story window to turn the switch to the deck lights off.

The next day, we decided to call the pros. My wife, having learned from me - found a great little extermination company that we chose based on price, but moreso by name.

AWESOME Pest Control.

I'd hire them solely on name alone.

Anyway, during their thorough spray - they found 54 hives, each harboring about 50 yellowjackets.

That's 2600 yellowjackets roughly.

And they be dead. Like TuPac. Mostly because I know they'll be back in 6 months, with an all new album, and it won't be nearly as good as their last album, but millions will follow.

So now, ladies and gents.... pool party anyone?