They are definitely bumble bees. I'm just not completely sure what type. For a while, I thought they were Golden Northern Bumble Bee. Now that I've been watching them for a few days, I think they are Common Eastern Bumble Bees. We've had yellowjacket nests in the past and don't mess around with them. They almost had my husband in the hospital. When he accidentally disturbed their nest, the YJs chased him down the street and stung him 14 times. He was on Benadryl for 2 weeks following. These fellas are about 12 mm long and kind of chubby looking. They have a large furry black head, a yellow furry thorax with a big black spot on the top, and a black furry abdomen. They have two rather see through black wings which the fold overlapping on their back when they are mumbling around on my flowers. They also have black legs on which you can see big sacks of pollen when they are returning to the nest. And, as I said, they are really quite docile. The only time we upset them was when my husband pushed the lawnmower right over the top of their nest. Other than that, you can sit on the ground right next to them and watch them go in and out for hours and they won't bother you a bit. But at this point we are VERY CAREFUL not to tromp on their entrance holes and I won't let the children play anywhere near the nest. (The dog is, of course, more difficult to control - the big goofball.) What I keep wishing for is a nice hungry skunk. The children are generally allergic (cats, dogs, rabbits, pollen, nuts, milk, wheat, etc.), but neither has ever been stung. Unfortunately, we didn't have them tested for bee sting allergies when we had them tested. So at this point, it's an unknown. We do have epi-pens which I carry around for "just in case." About the Rotenone . . . I read online that it is not toxic to bees except in combination with pyrethrum. Here is the link: http://extoxnet.orst.edu/pips/rotenone.htm The Rotenone/Pyrethrins mixture that Bonide sells is a liquid spray. If someone pours this liquid down their hole at night, won't that cause them to come out in attack mode? I think I'm just a little confused as to logistics. I think I'll try the water/hose method first. It would be optimal to just convince them to move house.

A beekeeper is not likely to have any interest in ground bees. If you must kill them seven does work (though technically is not legal as it's not labeled as such). Though they tend not to be aggressive so if you avoid them there shouldn't be a problem. ------------------ Assuming your bees in the tree are indeed honey bees (quite possible as that is their typical nesting place). You could kill them, yourself or by an exterminator, but be aware the mess left in the tree is bound to attract more bees if not properly taken care of. Or you can call a beekeeper that does hive removals. It is typically not free because the time, gas, and equipment is worth far more than bees of unknown origin with possible diseases and an old queen. Plus in some areas it is even more hazardous because of possible AHB and some areas require a license. Removal from a tree is difficult and unless the tree is cut down the removal can take many weeks using the cone method. To find someone who does swarm removal in your area click the link below. Here is a link that might be useful: Swarm & Hive Removal

It is yellow jackets!!!! I got up close enough to really see when they weren't stirred up and one came out of the hole and I could see the top of the nest down in there! I placed a rock there beside it so DH could gas them. I can't because I am highly allergic to this sort of things. IF it wasn't for that I would leave them alone but I am here by myself during the day and I can't have them biting me when I mow around there. Thanx everyone!!! :)

OP: Does it make sense to get rid of the nest but keep the flowers to draw in more? Yes - Unless you're a beekeeper, you probably shouldn't allow a hive to remain in or near your residence since you're in a part of the country known to have Africanized bees. The threat is not the few dozen visiting your garden at a particular moment, but you or a pet being too close to a hive when something sets thousands into a swarm, Here's what a north Texas woman attacked a couple weeks ago while exercising her miniature horses suggests: I want everyone to know if you see bees on your property it needs to be taken care of immediately. We did not disturb the hive. We were nowhere near it. She survived, but two miniature horses and several chickens were killed. Details may be found in the linked article. Here is a link that might be useful: Thousands of bees attack couple, horses in Pantego (TX)