A reminder to all shed dwellers

Lawrence · November 20, 2019, 06:40:37 PM

Had a very nice visit from forum member @Johndra this morning, as his gaze rested upon my attempts at making a cliff out of cork bark

he asked if the wasp came with the cork. Now I hadn't been out there for quite a while but there she was, a dirty great queen snuggled in for the winter, I hate to imagine the carnage, come the spring, had John not noticed the striped demon.
She was removed and suitably disposed of, so lads & lassies, as the colder weather arrives, keep an eye out for these little black and yellow devils taking shelter or you may find you beloved shed uninhabitable in the spring.

Bealman · November 20, 2019, 09:05:13 PM

We just get snakes.

Cork bark cliffs, eh? How quaintly retro.... how about a piccy?

Lawrence · November 20, 2019, 09:58:45 PM

Quote from: Bealman on November 20, 2019, 09:05:13 PM
We just get snakes.

Cork bark cliffs, eh? How quaintly retro.... how about a piccy?

Snakes I can handle George but 1000s of wasps - no way

I'll see what I can do about that picture but SWMBO has decided my week off involves several gallons of emulsion and gloss paint! In fact had John not come round today I probably wouldn't have got a break

jpendle · November 21, 2019, 03:51:53 PM

SWMBO says I can't live in my shed. I have to socialise with the rest of the family.

John P

Railwaygun · November 22, 2019, 11:00:19 AM

Quote from: Lawrence on November 20, 2019, 06:40:37 PM
Had a very nice visit from forum member @Johndra this morning, as his gaze rested upon my attempts at making a cliff out of cork bark he asked if the wasp came with the cork. Now I hadn't been out there for quite a while but there she was, a dirty great queen snuggled in for the winter, I hate to imagine the carnage, come the spring, had John not noticed the striped demon.
She was removed and suitably disposed of, so lads & lassies, as the colder weather arrives, keep an eye out for these little black and yellow devils taking shelter or you may find you beloved shed uninhabitable in the spring.

they are now thought to be useful garden predators, even if they have a liking for picnics. so rehouse if possible

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=790

emjaybee · November 22, 2019, 11:12:45 AM

Having been stung by a hornet some years ago, I now have an ever increasingly adverse reaction to wasp stings.

I will do whatever it takes to destroy the little

. If I'm painting externally in the summer I've got a spray can of wasp spray in my left pocket.

dannyboy · November 22, 2019, 06:47:51 PM

I'm with @emjaybee. I have been stung twice by wasps as an adult. I got stung once on each hand which caused a lot of swelling. The second time, I was told that it was a mild form of anaphilactic shock

. I hate the things, but I have taught myself to gently walk away whenever one comes near me - and keep my hands in my pockets!

emjaybee · November 22, 2019, 06:51:03 PM

Quote from: dannyboy on November 22, 2019, 06:47:51 PM
I'm with @emjaybee. I have been stung twice by wasps as an adult. I got stung once on each hand which caused a lot of swelling. The second time, I was told that it was a mild form of anaphilactic shock . I hate the things, but I have taught myself to gently walk away whenever one comes near me - and keep my hands in my pockets!

You could try reciting my mantra...

Die you sons of bitches, die!!!

I find it most soothing.

Intercity · November 22, 2019, 07:00:47 PM

This past summer I ended up standing on a hornets nest, I didn't see it or even realize I'd done it, 3 stings I needed help to the car and a fast ride to the doctor, they said it was close to being a hospital visit, next time it would be as the reaction increases the more you get stung.

Bealman · November 22, 2019, 09:31:05 PM

Yeah, a wasp flew in the side of my sunglasses during a field trip in the Lake District in 1971. I've never forgotten that to this day.

I'm always on the lookout for nests getting started around Chez Bealman. Probably spray 3 or 4 a year on average.