One of our most common wasps in California is the paper wasp (a few species of Polistes). They are about twice as long as our common "yellow jackets" but not as proportionately thick. They can, indeed, sting but they are happier catching caterpillars and stuffing them into their muddy-papery homes where they lay their eggs upon them. Joe Here is a link that might be useful:

If you're worried, just isolate it in a separate container. Use a lid that would not let a wasp or fly escape. I wouldn't kill it. The worst that will happen is a little creature will emerge.

ants and wasps ... as noted.. milk honeydew from the scale .... they are not the problem.. they are a response to a problem ... remove the problem.. and they will go onto other things ... scale is extremely hard to get rid of ... dormant oil is one solution... the other would be systemic chemicals ... like bayer tree and shrub ... it may take years of treatment... to cure the plant... i tend to agree with jean.. i would apply a saw at or above ground level.. and then dig up the roots and send it to the landfill or burn it ... the cost of replacement is NOT worth the exposure to the chemicals ... good luck ken

It sounds to me like a Jerusalem (sp?) cricket AKA potato bug. They look like something from outer space. The only noise I've ever heard them make is the their feet clicking on concrete when they walk. My guess is they probably eat whatever regular crickets eat. Which could include plants, roots, your carpet. Try googling under 1 of those 2 names and see if that's it. Debbie (also)