Hornets nest

[Hornetboy]

I am an avid collector of ENORMOUS nests. Please check out my extensive collection here:

Flickr: hornetboy1970's Photostream

Is your nest as big as some of my monsters?

Anyway, late fall/early winter is when the insects abandon their nest and die. It should be safe to collect it then. Here is more information for you:

Preserving and Displaying a Hornet's Nest | Iowa Insect Information Notes
and
Preserving and Displaying a Hornet's Nest | Horticulture and Home Pest News

Yes, my dad has one hanging in his house and I have always thought that if I could ever find one I would do the same. I think they are cool looking.

I got about 20 yds away yesterday...it was busy and I didn't hang around very long. After seeing the note above I guess I was a bit close for comfort.
I got lucky!

 

[tony123]

I guess everyone is different. I'd have made sure my dog was safe and inside the truck before I was, hornets be damned.

John

I don't think that is a very fair comment. Obviously the circumstance dictated what happened.

 

[czechsonofagun]

After witnessing buddy of mine (we were 14 or so) in his grandma's attic to sweep with a cool move yellow jacket's nest in a paper bag without a bottom - true story, I swear - I would only advice to be very careful before you take any action.

Let's say getting down from the attic was bit like Keystone Cops

 

[FrogLick]

The lovely Mrs. and I have wanted a nice hornets nest to display in our little lake lodge. A few years ago hornets worked dilligently all summer long on a very nice specimen just a few yards off the edge of our driveway near the cabin. I was working nearby on a nice cool Autum day when I hear the Mrs. screaming "Get them off of me, get them off of me!" and running like the dickens in my direction. I ran over to her to see what she was talking about and she was covered with some angry buggers. Of course they then started comimg after me too and we headed for the lake. Fortunately we were both wearing fleece and they gave up the attack after we got far enough from the nest and before we had to jump into the water; the fleece kept us from getting many stings.

After it was all over I asked the Mrs. what happened. "I took a stick and tapped the tree trunk (it was a sappling) gently to see if there were any hornets in there. Nothing came out so I gave the trunk a good shake." Looking at her incredulously, "What on earth were you thinking?!" She says, "I don't know." There's your sign. Waited until after a good hard freeze and cut it down to display in the cabin. She doesn't mess with hornet nests anymore.

 

[skipro3]

I guess everyone is different. I'd have made sure my dog was safe and inside the truck before I was, hornets be damned.

John

Yea, that would have been "different" alright! BTW, hornets really could care less if you swear at 'em.

 

[MrWoodChips]

I don't think that is a very fair comment. Obviously the circumstance dictated what happened.

Actually, I think it is very fair. I know what I'd do. And, I know for a certainty that I would not sit in my car while my dog was being attacked. You can let circumstances dictate your actions, or you can choose your own course through life. I choose a course that lets me live with myself.

John

 

[Highbeam]

Why not poison the nest with any of the many poisons and then collect the dead nest. If you wait until winter the nest might be damaged by the weather. You can kill the hive very very quickly with proper poison.

I woud not have opened the door and let the bee covered dog in. I would have driven off and let him follow until the bees were gone. It's not like the bees will follow for a mile and one of the first things they teach you with first aid/rescue work is that you shouldn't endanger yourself trying to save the victim.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I am an avid collector of ENORMOUS nests. Please check out my extensive collection here:

Flickr: hornetboy1970's Photostream

Is your nest as big as some of my monsters?

Anyway, late fall/early winter is when the insects abandon their nest and die. It should be safe to collect it then. Here is more information for you:

Preserving and Displaying a Hornet's Nest | Iowa Insect Information Notes
and
Preserving and Displaying a Hornet's Nest | Horticulture and Home Pest News

Those are some cool pix, thanks for sharing. Some of those are pretty narly looking. I think mine is a little smaller than yours but not a whole lot. I will have to get closer to know for sure and I am waiting for a freeze to do that.

Thanks to all for the comments and tips. I am planning on going to the farm again this weekend and will take a few pix of the nest. I am hoping to find more than one.

PS...Hornetboy, Welcome aboard! This is a great site! I am glad I could be the reason for your 1st post!

 

[Hornetboy]

Nope. That is the WORST thing that you can do. Not only will you have a stinking nest full of rotting brood and adults, but you will also have a decoration which is contaminated with poison. As I've said, the BEST time to collect these nests is during the late fall/early winter (right after they are abandoned, but before they get too damaged by the weather). You are right about one thing though... the nests will get damaged if you wait too long to collect them (such as LATE winter).

Why not poison the nest with any of the many poisons and then collect the dead nest. If you wait until winter the nest might be damaged by the weather. You can kill the hive very very quickly with proper poison.

 

[Hornetboy]

I am glad that you like my MONSTER nests.

I hope that you find more nests. I am looking forward to seeing pics!

By the way, I am posting a pic which shows part of my collection. Enjoy!

Those are some cool pix, thanks for sharing. Some of those are pretty narly looking. I think mine is a little smaller than yours but not a whole lot. I will have to get closer to know for sure and I am waiting for a freeze to do that.

Thanks to all for the comments and tips. I am planning on going to the farm again this weekend and will take a few pix of the nest. I am hoping to find more than one.

PS...Hornetboy, Welcome aboard! This is a great site! I am glad I could be the reason for your 1st post!