Hornets

[wagne223]

For whatever reason I don't have ground dwelling hornets, wasps or yellow jackets. They all make their nests in the low hanging branches of my largest Ponderosa pines.

About six years ago I became "involved" with a large nest of yellow jackets. Did I sit quietly on the tractor and hold my breath - - YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING.

I ran like a red-necked reb - heading for his grandma's home style B-B-Q. Between running like a mad man, flailing my arms, swinging and swatting like a fool - I only got stung three times.

Now if you want to talk about our Bald Faced Hornets - - those things are just pure meanness. They will fly clear across my yard - hit me like a paint ball - grab hold - take a BIG bite out the closest flesh near them. Then when they have digested that mouth full - they will sting - just for pure meanness. Some call them Tribal Hornets due to their facial markings.

Yeah, this would be me........

 

[mcfarmall]

A quick Google search revealed no indication that a bald faced hornet can BITE. They can, however, sting you repeatedly as their stinger is smooth and not barbed (like a honeybee).

I have disturbed the ground hornets (yellowjackets) with the tractor and my response to the attack was to drive several yards away from the nest, kill the ignition (gasser tractor) and flee the area for a period of time.

Used a paste made of meat tenderizer on the stings.

I believe the "bite" sensation may be the insect grabbing your skin with their legs while posturing to place their stinger. Of course the bite aspect lends a degree of theatrical liberty to the story.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I've gotten lucky two years in a row. Last year I disturbed a nest when moving an old wood pile. I got out of there before they figured out I was the problem. Next day they were all gone, evidently I had broken up the nest or killed the queen or something. A couple weeks ago I ran over another one but got away OK. The next morning I went to check it out, and overnight a skunk or racoon had dug it up and eaten everything

 

[mcfarmall]

I have found several mysterious holes in the pastures that I mow and attribute them to the yellowjacket nests that have been discovered and then devoured by skunks and coons. How else do you explain a soccer ball sized hole about as deep with no dirt anywhere around? One of them was noticed in late fall before the snow fell and I found some of the comb and paper shreds lying about.

 

[/pine]

I understand not wanting stinging insects near living spaces etc...but it needs to be pointed out that bald faced hornets are quite beneficial...

...the bald-faced hornet is beneficial both for pest control and pollination. During early to mid summer when there are many larvae to feed, insect prey are caught, chewed up, and fed to the larvae. Insects preyed upon include yellowjackets (a favorite), flies, caterpillars and many other insects...

Bald-faced hornets: intimidating but not all bad! | Uconnladybug's Blog

 

[RalphVa]

Fortunately, I have yet to run into a yellow jacket nest with my 4wd tractor. Did once with the Gravely. I just ran away and left it running until I could come back with some gasoline or kerosene to pour on the hole (I'm not allowed to officially say this; I didn't). I'm supposed to say I came back with a flying insect spray that I'm supposed to spray the whole lot of very exotic chemicals (nerve gas agents) down the hole.

Late in the summer season, I suit up to run the bush hog and even have on an old Aussie hat with full netting around it. I run the tractor with the netting up on the hat brim in front because the netting obstructs my view a bit. If I run into some YJs, I'd throw the netting down over my face and drive out of there.

Ralph

 

[bunyip]

Yellow jackets we know as european wasps and can roam up to 5km from the nest, I have an allergy to them and carry an epipen in case of a sting, one of these kkilled my grandmother.
Wish we had something that would dig them up and eat them, if I see them I just keep well away.
The last sting had me in hospital for a few days, one wasp, three stings that came up like dinner plates and an inability to breathe.

 

[atsah]

Yellow jackets we know as european wasps and can roam up to 5km from the nest, I have an allergy to them and carry an epipen in case of a sting, one of these kkilled my grandmother.
Wish we had something that would dig them up and eat them, if I see them I just keep well away.
The last sting had me in hospital for a few days, one wasp, three stings that came up like dinner plates and an inability to breathe.

WOW.. You probably have some VERY BAD SNAKES there as well to deal with..

That's why I kill everything in sight and I don't care what anyone thinks about that either..

 

[bunyip]

Snakes don't worry me that much as most get out of your way when they see or hear you, wasps just go where they want and are not bothered by your presence.

 

[Jstpssng]

Bunyip hit on the question which needs to be asked- Are you allergic to them? If not then getting stung is just another price that you pay for being outside.