Sure looks like it. Usually they build their nest underground, but I guess they found your yard decor to their liking.

Thank you Cindy That's what I thought too! Sarah

Nope. It's the European paper wasp, scientific name Polistes dominulus. Arrived in the US about 5 years ago. And yes, they are more nasty than are the usual paperwasps.

Several notable differences between dominulus and yellowjackets:
-- Yellowjacket antennae are black whereas dominulus are orange/golden toward the end (you can see this detail in your photo.)
-- the arrangement of the markings on the top of the thorax.
-- the abdominal shape (not easily visible in your photo.)

Thank you jean. Any suggestion about how to get rid of them? Since they aren't native. Sarah

Thought you said the nest was built two years ago. Are the wasps still active?

Typically paperwasp nests are occupied just one year, then the active adults die.

That said, it is possible with dominulus that the colony lives two or more years, but I would expect that, in your climate, they would die at the end of the year.

So, what's the story here? Is the original colony still active? If so, you might want to consider hring a pest control company to deal with it.

There's been a nest there for two years I didn't know what it was I noticed they moved in around August 2003. Since they didn't bother me last year and (I didn't bother them either) I know to stay away from it. I ignored them but after being stung this year I took a picture to see if they were good or bad. Before last september I only had a disposable camera so I wasn't able to get a good close up but bees were flying out and in. Sarah

For wasps I just use the mint-flavored spray from Victor. It kills just as well and doesn't leave poisonous chemicals all over your yard: it's just mint oil. And it smells nice.

Spray them at night just after sundown when all the workers should be home so they will all get killed. If the temperatures are cooler, that's better as they will be less active and less likely to sting you.