With the end of summer and beginning of fall, I would like to say please beware of yellow jackets.  I garden in a limited space.  Well, as far as backyards go, mine may be larger than some city dwellers, but I also have to share it with two young girls...and the lawn grass has been a labor of love for my spouse.   But we have noticed that yellow jackets become more active in late summer and early fall.  Maybe they are nesting or something, I really don't know.  We started hanging an insect catcher in the beautiful live oak tree in the backyard to try and protect us as we garden and play.  The catcher does not attract pollenaters or beneficial insects or bees.  We were astounded with the number of yellow jackets that were caught (see photos below).  The aggressiveness of the yellow jackets was apparent when my youngest was helping my husband empty the container.  I heard them dashing into the house and quickly closed the door behind them.  After catching their breast, they said that as they were emptying it, more yellow jackets came around them, so they ran.

To view ideas for fall flowers, click on arrow just below slide show.