BS: Wasps

Subject: BS: Wasps
From: olddude
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 02:04 PM

The hot weather has really brought the little beasts out this summer. I got nailed the other day by the common wasp (with the little dangle feet) they hurt. I tell you I been bit by about every species of these critters that live and it is never fun. Even some in south America The top three are
3) Wood Wasp make their nest in trees .. aggressive little bastards
2) Southern Mahogany wasp, the damn thing hurt for days
1) A velvet ant ( actually a wasp) put my hand on one, I think the dead relatives could feel that pain. Hurt for two solid weeks and I yelled like a little girl.


ya got any favorites of your own.    Thankfully the mahogany wasp and velvet ant don't live in my parts

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: olddude
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 02:04 PM

by the way, if you do get bit, don't complain to Max he will tell ya that you deserve it ... LOL that no good for nothing guy ...

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Maryrrf
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 02:10 PM

Yellow jackets. I've been stung twice while mowing the lawn. Ouch !

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: maeve
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 02:16 PM

Yes- TL and I have each been stung a few times by perpetually grumpy yellow jackets. We are each one step removed from serious reactions; so far just major swelling and serious hives.

Antihistamines are our friends.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: gnu
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 02:17 PM

I have been stung by various bees and hornets but never by a "nasty" wasp. My old man got stung by one the nasty ones on the back of his hand and it swelled up something fierce so he went to the doc. The doc told him to soak it in hot salt water.

About a week later he got a bill in the mail for $8. You shoulda heard THAT phone call.

Oh... the hornets here, maybe they are yellow-jacket wasps?, get very aggresive after the blossoms are done in the fall. They love sweat. Well, my sweat seems to attract them. I have been stung a number of times near the arm pit and once directly in the pit... that one hurt a lot.

But I never cried like a little girl so they must be pretty innocuous.

Or Dan's a big pussy.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: gnu
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 02:18 PM

Aha... after reading m's post, they must be the same critters.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: olddude
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 02:22 PM

LOL I tell you what GNU check out the velvet ant someplace on the web. I have never had that much pain ever ... that thing is from satan himself

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 02:26 PM

it's nearly 40 years since I passed my Biology "O"Level...
can someone please remind us what use wasps are...????

pollination.. honey.. ??? probably not..


eaters & population controllers of even more harmful smaller bugs... ???


staple diet for cute cuddly critters.. ????


providers of satisfyingly cruel recreational amusement & aerobic exercise
for anyone wielding a cheap handheld electric bug zapper... ??????

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 02:27 PM

Don't you mean Wussy Gnu :-)

Wasp Plague Warning in the UK

Homeowners in Leicester, Nottingham, Derby and Northampton are being warned to watch out for plagues of wasps if the current weather continues. Wasps nests need treatment as soon as they are identified to avoid a health risk and potentially high costs of treatment.

"Warm temperatures during the Spring along with the recent rain are ideal breeding grounds for wasps and we are expecting to see a marked increase of Wasps nests in and around the home" said Jonathan Fox, Director of Intelligent Pest Control Ltd.

"Warm and damp conditions are ideal for wasps and we have had a large number of reports and treated more wasps nest so far this year than we have at this stage in previous years"

Wasps normally build their nests in lofts and outbuildings, a nest is normally built of paper and chewed wood and the number of wasps in the nest can grow at an amazing rate with colonies containing up to 3000 wasps. We recommend that the nest is treated as soon as it is identified as a wasps nest and a large number of wasps around the home is not only frightening, it can also be dangerous to adults, children and pets.


"Homeowners should not treat wasps nests themselves, the inherent risks are too high! They should contact a reputable Pest Control Company such as ourselves as early as possible", Jonathan said

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Leadfingers
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 02:28 PM

There is a lot I DO like about USA , but your extremes of weather and SOME of the beasties you have are NOT on MY like button ! LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 02:30 PM

Here in UK our two most often-seen ones are the common wasp and the German wasp. Hornets are sometimes seen (I saw one once only, at my other house) but are not aggressive. When you look at their wonderful 'paper' houses, made by patiently scraping wood from fences etc, and forming it into quite a large globe, with hexagonal compartments for the grubs, you can't help having respect for them. I've only been stung once, ( like a red-hot needle!) I try to live-and-let-live with Nature.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 02:32 PM

Arthuritis, I wonder if these pest extermination companies exaggerate the 'risks' of wasps etc? It's in their interest to do so!

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: maeve
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 02:51 PM

Here in Maine, wasps of all kinds are good pollinators as well as several varieties being effective predators of several insects that would otherwise eat up our fruits and vegetables (Tomato Hornworms are in the latter category.) They are a favorite food for skunks and bears as well.

We prefer to co-exist when possible. The nearest yellow jacket nests, however, have to go. They are in the big vegetable garden where we must have access, and each time we are stung we react more severely.

There is a product we'll be testing after removing the problem nest:
Get Lost Wasp deterrent

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: maeve
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 03:04 PM

Regarding Eliza's understandable question...That may well be the case, but if a person is stung by many at one time it can be deadly if they are sensitive or allergic to the venom. One doesn't necessarily know what the reaction might be until the damage is done.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: olddude
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 03:06 PM

Great thing about yellow jackets is they can sting and keep stinging. They don't die when they nail you like a honey bee or other bees do. A wasp can just keep a going .. yellow jackets love bails of hay around farms and make ground nests also .. my farmer friends love em, especially when they are collecting the hay for the barn and a swarm comes back on them when driving the tractor ... a real thing of beauty ... I saw my buddie Garry with lumps all over his face and neck.

I been nailed by those guys so many times that I dust it off ... good thing I don't react to any such bite other than the cursing and the ouch ouch ...

now my brother, it is straight to the ER room he is so allergic

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: EBarnacle
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 03:09 PM

We have a yellow jacket nest about 10 feet from our porch and the wasps are using our porch fountain for relief. Other than their attack on one of the covering boards of our eave, we have had no damage. They have not attacked us and I notice that we seem to have no mosquitos this year.

We leave them alone and keep the fountain full of water. They leave us alone. Seems like a fair bargain to us.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Sawzaw
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 03:20 PM

When I was a little guy running around in the woods with bare feet, I stepped into a yellow jacket hole.

One yellow jacket sting is no too bad but they swarmed up into my pants legs and stung me hundreds of times all the way up to and including my balls.

I ran home squalling and my Mama put me in the bathtub with warm water and dumped a box of Arm and Hammer soda in.

The Doc said it saved my life by counteracting the acid in the venom.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: maeve
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 03:24 PM

Yep, that's the best situation, EBarnacle. Unfortunately it's not always so workable a balance.

olddude- the thing to remember about yellow jackets besides their multi-stinging ability is that when one is injured or killed, it releases a pheromome that sets the rest of its fellows to attack mode.

Here's an interesting site with information about the three kinds of yellow jackets found in Florida. http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/occas/hornet_yellowjacket.htm

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Smokey.
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 03:31 PM

Vinegar is excellent for wasp stings.

Then find out where it lives and slaughter its entire family.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 03:54 PM

Wasps are beautiful creatures and we could learn a lot from their industriousness and social organisation. Next time you see one close up, don't squash it but have a good close look (or take a pic of it even). Wasps rarely sting and they certainly never sting without good reason. Early in the season they are excellent predators. Later on, the workers become somewhat redundant, having done all their domestic work, and they then dedicate themselves to finding sweet stuff to eat (which is why they adore rubbish bins at picnic sites). Even later, they love to get a bit pissed on rotting windfall apples. Same as me really, except that they cut out the brewery middle-man. Like everybody else, I don't appreciate a wasps' nest in my front porch, but apart from that wasps deserve to be left alone and admired.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 03:56 PM

Agree there Smokey. Always handy to have a bottle of vinegar around. We have taken vinegar with us when our daughters were young and it has been a boon.

The other advantage with vinegar, is if you pass a fish and chip shop and buy a bag of chips, you can use your own vinegar.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: gnu
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 04:00 PM

m... "... when one is injured or killed, it releases a pheromome that sets the rest of its fellows to attack mode."

That is something everyone should know for one VERY good reason. If you smack one that is on you, and you get that stuff on you, they will come after YOU... they will CHASE you and they can fly faster than (most of) you can run.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 04:16 PM

That is real scary Gnu.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 04:18 PM

White Anglo Saxon Protestants?

Not that sort I guess...

The wasps we have in the UK are a different sort from what I saw in Illinois anyway. Those were black nasty looking critters - Ours are yellow and black stripey things that annoy people at picnics. Not much real harm in the sting unless you are allergic. I got a row of about 7 or 8 stings down my back whan I was painting the house one summer and didn't notice till I took my shirt off and the beastie flew off!

As to what they do - Eat aphids for one! Plus they lay eggs in some stoned fruit like plums and damsons which, although it sounds gross, does help ripen the rest of the fruit.

If they bug you (pun intended) at the picnic table let them into a bottle of something sweet and sticky - They will stay there for hours without being able to get out.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Cats
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 04:21 PM

i have bees and wasps will invade and even kill a colony of bees. Got stung by a bee the other day [my own fault] and no problem. Stung by a wasp the next day and ended up in hospital

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Smokey.
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 04:24 PM

and they certainly never sting without good reason

On the contrary, they will sting on the basis of a slight misunderstanding which could easily be resolved by calm rational discussion. Such behaviour is socially untolerable and mass execution is the only solution.

After all, you don't get rabbits going around stinging people.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 04:26 PM

Well maybe it was a delayed reaction to the bee Cats!

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: gnu
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 04:40 PM

Art... It ain't bad if you are not near a nest but if you are near a nest ya gotta be reeeal careful. I have never used a pesticide for hornet nest removal unless it's attached to the house or some othet structure. The best way I have found is to use a metal rod with a cloth soaked with gas... you light the nest on fire and the hornets outside of the nest will dive into it.

As for the nasty predator wasps which build the small nests (one wasp) I find a sledge hammer after dark is humane riddance. I have also used the spray from a garden hose to destoy the nest after seeing the wasp leave and go out of sight. It may take several attempts after they rebuild each time and be quite tedious but it is better than killing them. If it's out of "normal traffic" (I presently have one at the apex of my garage gable end under the eave) I leave em alone. They kill insects in my carrot patch... well, it would be a carrot patch if I could get the carrots to grow.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 04:41 PM

maeve, that was very interesting to see the yellow jackets of Florida.They look rather similar to our wasps, but more slender and elegant. Also, I think ours have more yellow in their stripes. It sounds as if the yellow jackets more aggressive. And I appreciate that for someone with a severe allergy, anaphylactic shock from a sting is a real risk. Only, I've watched our wasps scritching and scratching a wooden garden seat to get wood pulp for their nest, so patient and clever. I just don't like killing things, unless they are doing me harm.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: maeve
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 05:06 PM

Here are links with information on the bees, wasps, and hornets of Maine
in North America:
http://umaine.edu/homeowner-ipm/photo-gallery/bees-hornets-wasps/
http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/pesticides/gotpests/bugs/bees-wasps.htm
http://www.pestexterminator.com/organic-wasp-control/

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Little Hawk
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 05:12 PM

They're tough little bastards. I had a subterranean nest of them in the front yard and had to get rid of them to mow the lawn. What I did was flood them out with the garden hose (at night). I put the hose right at the entrance of their hole and completely flooded them out three times over a period of about ten days, each time to the point that there was a little pool of standing water at the entrance of the hole in the morning.

They somehow survived the first 2 drownings and got going again after only about 2 days of drying out! Unbelievable. After the 3rd drowning they either all died or they gave up and vacated the hole and went elsewhere. I don't know. But they were definitely gone after the 3rd inundation, and that was the main thing.

They do not get angry over a flood. They assume it's a natural event and just quietly hunker down to wait it out.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: maeve
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 05:23 PM

European Paper Wasp
is now found in North America as well.

Social Wasps in Britain

Waspinator, similar to the Get Lost Wasp Deterrent in my earlier link, except that this one is weather resistant.

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Insect-Stings-and-Bites.htm

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: olddude
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 05:54 PM

has anyone else as stupid as me that got nailed by the velvet ant ... I tell you take all the yellow jackets on the planet and have them sting ya and it ain't nothing like the pain that little fuzzy bastard can bring ya.   

Out west they call them cow killers ... man unbelieveable hurt

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: maeve
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 06:00 PM

I've only read about the velvet ant (wasp), Dan, I've never encountered them. Your description matches what I've heard from others, though.

Velvet Ant

http://pestworld.org/velvet-ant

http://bugguide.net/node/view/159/

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Little Hawk
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 06:11 PM

I used to be fascinated by ants when I was a kid, Dan, and I found myself in a veritable ant paradise once when my parents rented a cabin in Wisconsin in a place with very sandy soil. It was incredible what a variety of ants could be found around that place. One day I saw a most peculiar looking ant crawling around. It looked like this:

Red Velvet Ant

Yup, that's a velvet ant! Its fire engine red color and solitary nature suggested to me that it might be dangerous, so I merely poked it with a twig but did not attempt to handle it. Turns out my instincts were correct! ;-) If I'd known for sure what it was, I probably would have arranged to corral it, drop it on top of a busy anthive, and stir up some trouble. I was known to do stuff like that at that age...

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: olddude
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 06:26 PM

It really looks just like a beautiful colored ant, it is really a wasp and boy the pain is unbearable. I tell you the Mahogany Wasp down south is a force of nature also .. they hurt a lot and they come in swarms cause by instinct you swat them and yup release the chemicals to get the others going ... but one sting is bad enough

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Little Hawk
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 06:35 PM

I saw a lot of wasps in Trinidad that were a sort of red coppery wine color. Vicious looking things, and they were everywhere. The locals called them "Jack Spaniards" and said they gave a very bad sting. I stayed clear of them. One thing I noticed was that they often got into fights over territory and you'd find one or two of them dead or dying on the ground after those fights.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 06:37 PM

" I had a subterranean nest of them in the front yard and had to get rid of them to mow the lawn. "

Yep... me too... I was mowing and they came swarming out to 'defend' their hole. A couple got me. If they'd just waited, I'd have mowed and let 'em alone.....but NOW I was as mad as they were. Got my can of "nasty bug killer", turned it to 'stream', sneaked up and filled the entrance for 6-7 seconds, then ran... I had to do it a 2nd time a couple weeks later. Now I mow in peace.

The worst sting I ever got was from a dead one! Had an old, misbehaving air conditioner in the attic which was leaking some water, and I had the cover off, and was feeling around to see if I could determine where it needed sealing... when WHAM! I had hit a dead yellow-jacket right on the business end! Hand throbbed for hours....

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 06:46 PM

Of course one sting is bad enough. A wasp which is in the act of defending its territory/nest/life is hardly going to give you a warning shot first. Just respect them (they deserve it) and leave them alone. Considering how many wasps we have around in summer every year, it's amazing how infrequently they sting. I tolerate wasps and just brush them away if they annoy me. I had to extirpate a wasps' nest from my porch a couple of years ago. It took several concerted attempts, all carried out by me up a ladder, wearing shorts, t-shirt and sandals. Not one sting. In fact, in my 60 years on this planet I've been stung just once by a wasp and that was when I was nine years old, and I *live* outdoors in summer. If we went around slaughtering wasps merely because they carry a sting, then I suppose we ought to be going around slaughtering all those brainless yanks who insist on carrying guns. After all, they're far more deadly.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: olddude
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 06:54 PM

Now that's a thought, we can carry guns and use them against the wasps .. yea that's the ticket .. good idea cause us yanks can still do that.

ya got any yellow jackets over there? ever see a little kid step on a ground wasp nest ...I got lots of kids in my neighborhood, they even play in my back yard. Leave everything alone unless of course it poses a risk .. then ya deal with it .. I don't go looking for them, but build a nest at my house and their dead ...

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 07:09 PM

Well yes, you do have to show them that you won't tolerate them in your personal space. That's good biology. We have a serious weever fish problem on the beaches round here. Serious until you adapt by wearing sensible footwear on the beach. That way, both you and the weever fish can get on with your separate lives in peace. There's usually a way.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Gurney
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 07:16 PM

When I was a youngster in England we used to use wasp grubs for bait for Chub and other fish.
We used a spoon with a 4' handle (if you would sup with the Devil...) to leave a small pile of 'Wasp Destroyer' in the entrance of the nest. The incoming workers trample it into the nest. Next day, only the nurse wasps on the cake are alive, and they aren't very aggressive.

These were Common Wasps.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 07:26 PM

I hope you enjoyed eating the chub.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: pdq
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 07:30 PM

The insect known as velvet ant is indeed a solitary wasp and not an ant.

The female may be reasonably large at 1/2 - 3/4 inch and have bright red, yellow or orange colored hair patches. They usually have no wings and hunt in the day or at dusk.

The male, however, is often small, plain brown and equiped with wings. They are strong flyers and come to lights at night.

The result is that nearly half the named species are represented by only one sex. If you ever find a mating pair, catch them and take them to the local college so they can be given to an expert in the field.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: maeve
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 07:31 PM

It seems there are many differences in species and behavior of wasps in North America as compared to species and behavior in Britain. Even the common name "Yellow Jacket" refers to different insects on one or the other side of the Atlantic. No need for us to be venomous, is there?

Gurney, I've heard of the same use for wasp larvae. The last time we were ready to (reluctantly) kill a nest of our Yellow Jackets, we were relieved and delighted to find a gaping hole in the ground in the morning. An obliging skunk had a splendid supper.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: olddude
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 08:04 PM

Steve you are right in that regard, generally just leave them alone. In the states the ground wasps or wood wasps can be a real threat to children. As long as they remain in the woods that is perfect. If they build a nest in your house it can be life threatening especially to small kids or adults that are sensitive.
In Florida the Mahogany wasp kills a number of people each year, mainly due to allergic reactions. They like, the wood wasp tend to nest in the attics of houses or under the porch. Aggressive critters with a painful bite.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 08:10 PM

I'm not up for allowing certain beasts, including wasps but excluding birds and bats, to nest in or very close to my house. It's my house and I get to decide who does or doesn't live in it. Otherwise, it's my duty as a fellow member of this planet's fauna to live with 'em.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 08:46 PM

3) Wood Wasp make their nest in trees .. aggressive little bastards

What I know as a wood wasp looks a bit frightening with its long ovipositor but it's quite harmless and can't sting.

I dislike the (I believe common and German) wasps we get and I react slightly (have to take antihistamine) to their stings but I try to live and let live.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: olddude
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 08:56 PM

Not here Jon
   They have an incredibly painful sting. bigger than our yellow jacket and more aggressive. It could be a different species then what you have ... don't know ... we call them here wood wasps but they could be something different. I do know there is a species that has a long snout that is harmless. Not these, they are about one and a half the size of our yellow jackets and aggressive same colors only darker some are quite yellow. What the real name is I don't know. Seen them in hollow trees under roofs .. nasty

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Bobert
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 09:02 PM

Ol' hillbilly blows up like a blow-toad when stung by wasps... Wasps, however, ain't bad critters most of the time... They are good pollinators and eat bad bugs and are generally friendly but...

...come late summer they become very aggressive if you get around their hives...

BTW, the worst sting isd the Japanese Hornet... This sumabich is just mean and will sting you just for grins and when that happens, if he a good shot at you his stringer is so big that you'll bleed from it... I hate all Japanese Hornets... I had a tree back in the holler that had 'um in it and then a bear found 'um and ate every last one of them...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 09:03 PM

Clearly different things, olddude.

these are the ones I mean.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: maeve
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 09:18 PM

"Paper Wasps

Paper wasps are beneficial because they feed on insects considered pests by humans. They commonly build nests around homes, such as underneath eaves. Wasps attack when the nest is disturbed and each can sting repeatedly; stings typically cause localized pain and swelling, but in sensitive individuals or when many stings occur, more intensive reactions occur, including death.

Paper-like nests, shaped like tiny umbrellas, are suspended by a short stem attached to eaves, window frames, porch ceilings, attic rafters, etc. Each nest consists of a horizontal layer or "tier" of circular comb of hexagonal (six-sided) cells not enclosed by a paper-like envelope. The ends of the cells are open with the heads of the larvae exposed to view." http://umaine.edu/homeowner-ipm/photo-gallery/bees-hornets-wasps/

http://ebookbrowse.com/european-paper-wasp-pdf-d91655165 This link describes the European Paper (wood) wasp.

Are you talking about this critter, olddude?

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: olddude
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 09:30 PM

Maeve got it that is the one ... ouch

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: pdq
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 09:36 PM

The name " horntail" and "wood wasp" refer to a primative type of wasp which does not appear to have a wasp waist. They eat wood and are quite harmless to people, unless they damage your home. Like male velvet ants, all wood wasps can't sting.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Bobert
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 09:53 PM

Okay, ol' hillbilly ain't never been one for all that prideful stuff... Reckon it was about '83 and me and the Mrs. was having a, ahhhhhhh, one of them "sessions" when Mr. Japanese Hornet got jealous and nailed me in the back of my right arm...

Talk about "spontaneous interruptis"... Bleed like a pig, too... No, not her... Me!!! Sumabich... I beat that hornet to death with a bathroom towel, all while bleeding and being very pissed off...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Little Hawk
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 09:57 PM

The hornet was just the gunsel, Bobert. What you gotta do is find out who hired him.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 10:01 PM

After all, you don't get rabbits going around stinging people.

Depending on what the weather's been like, though, them bunny rabbits can give ya really nasty fleas, and "rabbit fever" (tularemia) can be pretty unpleasant. (Sneaky little b**rds, almost worse'n rats if you don't handle 'em right.)

John

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Bobert
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 10:15 PM

LOL, LH.... Hadn't thought of that???

Hmmmmmm????

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Smokey.
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 11:15 PM

them bunny rabbits can give ya really nasty fleas, and "rabbit fever"

John, I was talking about nice English rabbits with pocket watches and good manners.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: David C. Carter
Date: 25 Jul 11 - 05:41 AM

On a picnic out in a forest near us I was stung on the inside of the mouth.It hurt like crazy,and is potentially dangerous.I had taken with me a bottle of Scotland's finest.I doused a kleenex with it and put in my mouth.Within a few minutes the pain was easing up.My wife got the sting out with her tweezers and gave me another kleenex,"suitably" prepared.The pain went and I was"happy"!

To olddude:Beware the Jello Jacket.Thems is the worst!

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 Jul 11 - 06:13 AM

My wife got the sting out with her tweezers

That's just reminded me. The insect we call a wasp here in the UK doesn't leave the sting in. It is more like a hyperdermic needle with which it injects the poison. Hence it can sting over and over like the one did with me. The bee sting however - be it honey bee or bumble bee - stays with you and leaves the bee. The bee will die without it so it is reluctant to sting. They leave a little poison sack on the outside so you need to be careful how you get them out. So I am told anyway - never seen one at close quarters I'm glad to day!

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: David C. Carter
Date: 25 Jul 11 - 06:39 AM

DtG. you're right about that.

I didn't stop to ask what it was,if you get my drift!
I did call it something,but it wasn't Bee or Wasp!
I shan't repeat the actual names I called it.

Cheers

David

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: kendall
Date: 25 Jul 11 - 08:23 PM

Last year I was mowing the lawn and a swarm of yellow jackets came out of their hole right by the well curb. They may have figured that I wouldn't use my main weapon, a can of wasp spray, near the well, but they didn't count on my canister type vacuum cleaner. After they calmed down I sucked the whole lot of them into that machine and then sprayed them. No survivors.

It's been so dry here I put a big pot of water out for the resident wildlife. We have A Raccoon that visits quite often and I feed it, so why not water it too?

We need rain badly. Jacqui had to run the well through the wringer to get enough water to cook with.
One of our apple trees was chasing the dog today.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Bert
Date: 25 Jul 11 - 08:43 PM

They are much more likely to leave you alone if you talk nicely to them.

On hot days they get a bit thirsty and will appreciate it if you dip your finger in your beer and offer them a drop. It really impresses the Ladies to see a wasp drinking on your finger.

They start dying off in the fall, which tends to make them a little grumpy.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: kendall
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 06:54 AM

It's my lawn. I hold the deed. They have squat.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: GUEST,Cats
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 08:02 AM

Hi Arthur itis, no definitley not a delayed reaction to the bee. I am allergic to wasps but not bees or i wouldn't be a bee keeper. That sting me on my chest and the swelling was my knee downwards. Also the venom from the wasp is the opposite to a bee, bee is acid and wasp is alkali I think, and the venoms react in different ways.
To take a bee sting out all you need to do is put your nail under the stinger and flick it out. Never try to squeeze it. A bee stinger has two sections which work against each other and are barbed so will work downwards into the skin whereas a wasp does not leave it's sting behind and neither, actually, does the bumble bee.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: maeve
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 09:20 AM

Acid/alkali- interesting essay here: http://www.insectstings.co.uk/sting-acid-or-alkali.shtml

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 04:52 PM

gnu-sounds like your dad got stung twice-

second time by the doc!

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: gnu
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 05:12 PM

The third sting was on the doc! The doc knew my old man and my old man was known as Billy The Kid in the boxing ring when he was a lad. The doc lost that round.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 06:11 PM

Good man, Bert.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 07:58 PM

If we drive one of our cars any distance after dark, the front of it will be covered with yellowjackets the following morning. They're feeding on the residue of last night's squashed bugs. Yummy.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: gnu
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 08:58 PM

Yellowjackets are out after dark? I thought they couldn't navigate after dark... our "hornets" can't do that.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: maeve
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 10:20 PM

I think it is the nocturnal insects on the windshield, gnu, and the carnivorous 'Jackets showing up for the free breakfast the next morning.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Rumncoke
Date: 27 Jul 11 - 05:32 AM

I remember watching the wasps flying from an old garden wall to my vegetable patch and returning with small caterpillars dangling beneath them - reminded me of a drawing in Roald Dahl's BFG of giants slung under helicopters.

They worked very well as pest control, whilst I sat in the sun and watched them.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 27 Jul 11 - 06:04 AM

X:1260
T:The Wasp
C: Julia Say, Sept 2010
M:C|
L:1/8
K:D
a>g|f>af>d B>gA>f|g>eB>e d>cB>A|F>AG>B A>df>a|f>dg>f e2 a>g|\
f>af>d B>gA>f|g>eB>e d>cB>A|B>eg>b A>af>d|g>ec>e d2:|*
cd|\
e>cA>c (3efg (3fed|f>dA>d f>af>d|e>fg>b a>fd>e|f>dg>f e2 cd|\
e>cA>c (3efg (3fga|b>ge>f a>fd>A|B>eg>b A>af>d|g>ec>e d2:|**

It's a hornpipe. I was out picking blackberries and it got up my trouser leg and tried to sting me on the calf. I swotted it, and carried on, assuming things were sorted.
But it wasn't dead and crawled further, letting loose with full effect....er....much further up.
That's why the tune jumps about rather - so did I. What I said would make the paper blush.

Paws
PS It's a music thread now!

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: maeve
Date: 27 Jul 11 - 07:21 AM

Nice, Paws! I'll enjoy trying that out; the tune, that is!


I found this information early this morning and thought some here miht find it interesting. Look at the range of different Bumblebees found in North America.

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: MikeL2
Date: 27 Jul 11 - 10:33 AM

hi

I seem to be attractive to all kinds of insects and get bitten/stung often.

Sometimes I get very large swellings and at times have had to have my clothes cut off to be able to reach the affected area.

I had one last year on the foot ( gardening in sandals -doh) and I had to go to hospital.

The doctors say that insects are attracted to certain types of blood.

I am prescribed a daily dose of 5mg of antihistermine which helps but is not a total defence.

If I get a bad sting I take 180mgs twice daily until the swelling is under control.

Interestingly I have been stung by wasps and they don't bother me any more than a small insect bite.

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Wasps
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 27 Jul 11 - 11:26 AM

Gnu... What Maeve said.