As I walked around my yard yesterday, I noticed that a potted Conadria had several yellowjackets eating holes in the sides of the ripening figs. I had noticed this for a while on many of my trees, but until today I didn't have any idea what to do about it other than pick the figs before they were sweet enough.

So, today I decided to try diatomaceous earth. This is a non toxic (to anything but bugs) insect control substance. Many of you might already be familiar with it. I just used a turkey baster, the thing like a big syringe with a rubber red squeeze ball at the end, and filled it with the DE powder, which I then lightly puffed onto the figs that the yellowjackets were eating. It seems to be working. So, then I decided to put some into the eyes of some of my ripening open eyed figs (like brown turkey, raspberry latte etc) and logic tells me that this should help prevent the souring that is caused when bugs crawl around into the fig. I will know soon, but I have hopes that this might be a safe, effective and relatively easy way to deal with some of the bug problems I have been having with the ripe fruit that I want to let get a little bit more ripe for a day or two.

I will let you all know after a week or two how it is working out.

Should be alright, but you'll have to reapply when it rains.
It has the same effect as sand on slugs, the fine crystals, if
dry, will cut up the bugs' joints.
Just make sure it's fresh water (food grade) stuff, and don't
breathe it in or get it in your eyes.

Have you considered using Borax Acid for this purpose?  Borax is used to dilute medicine, make fabric and mattresses fire resistant, and is great for killing bugs in rugs and carpets indoors.  Its safer than salt.