Wasp nest in shed

[Davidc]

Like many things in the insect world wasps' nests are beatiful, functional and effiicent. So are ants' nests, beehives (natural ones), termite mounds, and many many more. We'd have a much harder time living without these useful insects.

Admin's still right to have got rid of the wasps in his shed early though...

 

[Bman]

1. As a child, I sat on a window-sill in a shop, put my hand down on a dead wasp.
2. Minding my own business walking to college, a wasp landed on my arm and stung me for no reason.
3. A few years ago, a wasp got into my bedroom, landed on my t-shirt and stung me through it! Unprovoked.
4. Last year cycling, a bee flew into my chest down my top and stung me 2cm from my nipple. Leaving the stinger behind.


#1 was the most distressing, #4 was the most painful.


These are only the ones I remember, there could be more. The lesson I have learnt: Wasps are evil b***ards and will sting for fun. If one is buzzing round me I back-hand it out of the air, and step on it at the earliest opportunity.

The bee only stung out of self defence. I leave them alone.

 

[snailracer]

...
The wasps that appear in the autumn are exactly the same species as the ones you see in the Spring, but having raised their brood they're unemployed with no more useful work to do. Indeed, apart from the queens, they'll all die out once the frosts come. Hence their boredom leading to obstreperous behaviour. Time to get the rolled-up newspaper handy! But leave them alone in the spring, if you can put up with them. That's the time when they're hard at work catching insects for their brood.

The explanation I heard was that, in autumn, the wasps eat the plentiful fermented fruit that's everywhere, get drunk on the alcohol and start behaving badly Not sure I believe that myself, tbh.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

The explanation I heard was that, in autumn, the wasps eat the plentiful fermented fruit that's everywhere, get drunk on the alcohol and start behaving badly Not sure I believe that myself, tbh.

Well, it happens to humans who go and drink from very similar foodplants, so I don't see why not.

 

[661-Pete]

I would guess that, while they don't exactly get drunk, they do get addicted to the stuff: alcoholic, well, "fruitoholic" if you like. And as you know, dealing with someone who's alcoholic is just as much a PITA as dealing with someone who's drunk.

 

[Shaun]

I noticed the nest-maker was back again tonight, so was obviously "out" when I got rid of the nest.

It's a shame you can't move them - but apparently if you continue taking the nests away, eventually the wasp gets the message and moves on (crosses fingers!!).

When I go to get my bike out tomorrow I'll be taking the shed key, bike lock key, fresh drink bottle, helmet, glasses, mitts ... and a BIG CAN OF RAID to clear the area - just in case!!!!!

Cheers,
Shaun

PS. I must be very lucky or have bad tasting meat because so far (touch wood) I've never been stung.

 

[TheDoctor]

I noticed the nest-maker was back again tonight, so was obviously "out" when I got rid of the nest.

It's a shame you can't move them - but apparently if you continue taking the nests away, eventually the wasp gets the message and moves on (crosses fingers!!).

When I go to get my bike out tomorrow I'll be taking the shed key, bike lock key, fresh drink bottle, helmet, glasses, mitts ... and a BIG CAN OF RAID to clear the area - just in case!!!!!

Cheers,
Shaun

PS. I must be very lucky or have bad tasting meat because so far (touch wood) I've never been stung.

Now you've done it!!

 

[Shaun]

 

[ColinJ]

PS. I must be very lucky or have bad tasting meat because so far (touch wood) I've never been stung.

ColinJ recalls his wasp-down-the-bibshorts post but decides not to go there ...

 

[661-Pete]

Right idea, but it'll be ROFA*, not ROFL...

*...Agony

 

[Shaun]

 

[craigwend]

Did we forget to tell you - it's actually your new training partner for the sportive!

 

[Shaun]

Did we forget to tell you - it's actually your new training partner for the sportive!

Ha ha ha ... with that thing behind me my average will go through the roof ...

<--- me after I've managed to outrun it ...

 

[brockers]

What happens to last year's nests? Do the following year's cohort take them over or do they build new ones? There must be an humungous one in my eaves from last year judging by the amount of the little feckers that were coming from my loft (I keep meaning to go up there and break it up just in case a new lot move in this year - one of those things I keep putting off).

I had one there ten or so years ago, and the pest control chappie who nuked* it said it was the largest he'd seen. And in the spirit of 'my wasps' nest is bigger than yours', it was apparently five feet high.

*Sorry Mad Doug B. Had to be done. I was getting complaints from the neighbours who were rolling on wasps in their sleep and getting stung. As was I.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

It's ok if it is a health hazard, its just the downright daft and illogical way people act towards them the rest of the time.