That's really interesting Pete. I always thought that the nest would be straight down; shows what I know. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif It also answers why I've had a couple of times where I've been attacked while running over a nest by accident when mowing on my tractor. With a 7000 pound tractor, I must have mushed their home just a bit.
Although it's not the main reason, being protected is another benefit of having a factory cab on my tractor. This last time I got a nest all fired up I only noticed when I heard the pecking on my tractor glass of the little beasties trying to get me. I now wonder what different types of ground bees there are. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Being that the last group stayed after me for a good 15 minutes or more, I assumed that they were ground hornets. I don't even know if there is such a thing, but I generally associate extended pursuit with hornets. I got this idea from a dare I took many moons ago. Yes, I blasted a big hornet nest at nearly point blank range with a 12 gauge. Really, I thought I'd kill most all of them and that the remainders would not have the urge to pursue. Wrong!
I know that it has nothing to do with your very nice picture display, but does anyone know what the large bright red velvety looking ants are? I don't live too far from you Pete, in SE IN, and I haven't seen these things until the last couple of years. They have a vicious sting, or bite, that is brutally painful. Also, it is very difficult to kill these things. Unless you have a good shoe on and step on one on concrete, they are not hurt. I've stomped on them in grassy areas and they have simply run off. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Lately I've found several in our pool and seen more around our house. The real Dargo sat on one last week and went nuts. I had no idea what was going on with him. He suddenly yelped, spun in circles trying to get to his rear, and then ran in circles yelping and peeing all over the place. I was almost afraid to approach him (and he always obeys me completely) because he was growling and yelping and going nuts so much. He finally ran to me and started rolling around on the ground. That is when he shook off one of these bright red velvety ant things. They are 3/8 to 1/2" long. Does anyone know what these are??
Sorry for being off your subject Pete, but I'd really like to know what these things are. I really need to get rid of them. My wife has now been stung/bitten, and told me that she thought that her finger had been cut off. I really don't want my kids to get into a nest of these vicious creatures. Heck, I wouldn't want to get into a nest of these things! Any ideas would be appreciated. I'm currently in CA on business or I'd see if I couldn't find one to post a pic. Thanks in advance.
