[Dave K]

Although wasps are social insects, as a consequence of confrontations and aggressive interactions, each individual wasp in the community will soon know who dominates them, and whom they can dominate. After the hard work for the colony is done towards the end of summer the worker wasps will forage for easy sources of sugary foods such as jam, fruit  and become aggressive to anything that interferes with them. They will defend their territory vigourously if disturbed.

They are more like the human species than we care to admit - they use stings, we use knives, guns and bombs. If you hate them then surely you hating a part of ourselves too ;)

[Simon Culling]

Thought provoking simile BDG. I have seen very few wasps this year, and those that I have come across have been on the small side. Despite having been stung quite a few times over the years, I dont share the rather irrational fear of these useful little insects that many seem to have- like spiders, they eat all the other insects that annoy us. If you flap around when they get near you, they are more likely to sting you, as they see your action (or is it reaction) as aggressive. Keep still, and when they realise you are not food, they will go away and bother someone else.

That said, we can only sympathise with those that experience an unpleasant reaction to their stings.

[Dave K]

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Simon Culling - 9/8/2009 11:41 ...That said, we can only sympathise with those that experience an unpleasant reaction to their stings.

Absolutely Simon, I've been stung myself so I know how painful it is, also of course there is the possibility of severe allergic reaction which can't be downplayed. Still when there's one in the house I try to catch it (with a towel, not my hands!) and let it out rather than splatter it - which might cause more wasps to come and investigate - even though it may come straight back in.

[MattBaugh]

Only seen a few wasps this year, and I was thinking that their numbers must be low. Though strangely, we had a day when we had quite a few of the coming in throughout the day. I think they like the smell of Febreze [^]

[Bazmundo]

Ha-ha, like the jam idea - reminds me of my Grandad putting slug pellets in next door's garden to attract them away from his (didn't have to clear up the mess then!).

I've heard that as far as any flying insects, including wasps, investigating you to see if you're food; using an ordinary insect repellent works on the biters but not on wasps. Istead try "Skin So Soft" made by Avon (delete this if I'm breaking any rules, Mods) as it's recommended by Special Forces for keeping away flying nasties even in the jungle. Also works to sooth bites and stings when re-applied immediately after. I've tried it and it really works, even though I'm the type of person that lets wasps near me (so I can get a good pic).

[Nigel Bolton]

Indeed, do not squash wasps. They release a certain pheremone which attracts other wasps from their colony to investigate. This is the reason, why when someone squashes one on the window with a matchbox etc, then others seem to fly in with relentless monotony, and increasing aggressiveness.

N.

[Andy Mayhew]

Can't say I've seen any more wasps this year than in the last few summers - which is very few.

[Chris CW (aka Seedubs)]

Got stung yesterday, was laying some paving slabs, was buzzed and when I went to waft it away it managed to fly into my glove, now my hand wont fit in the glove, appears to have swollen like a balloon!  Havn't been stung since I was a lad, just unfortunate it seems.

[Matt D]

Spent a bit of time in Hereford and Worcs recently outdoors (with food and booze close by) and only saw a few wasps. However, in Sussex yday (with food and booze close by again) there were loads of wasps, far more than I have seen anywhere in recent summers.

[louise79]

would there be a reason why some places seem to have more than others?

[JanetB138]

We have quite a lot of wasps up here and more so out in the fields.

[shamus1956]

Hardly any here either, and what I have seen, have only been small ones, maybe half the size of a "standard" wasp.

[Ian Williams]

Well i just went outside, as its a lovely warm sunny day, thought i know, i will have a nice cold glass of Chardonnay, managed 10 minutes before a huge hornet descended on me, it was persistant, not sure whether it fancied a drop of the old plonk but it wasnt having any, so i had to quickly retreat, and it followed me.

I got into the house through the conservatory where it is now buzzing on the ceiling windows trying to get out, sod that, best it sorts itself out! 666

[EllyTech]

Carefully does it, Ian! A little warm weather and there is a guaranteed buzzy problem! - had a wasp in the living room earlier.

[Ian Williams]

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EllyTech - 11/8/2009 16:58

Carefully does it, Ian! A little warm weather and there is a guaranteed buzzy problem! - had a wasp in the living room earlier.

Im a bit phobic, well quite a bit actually when it comes to Wasps and Hornets, i fell into a nest aged 7 or 8 and got stung 6 times on my face alone, the one on my lip was the worse, now i try my hardest not to act like the nutter on the bus waving arms vigorously but sometimes i just have to lol. Now spiders, im fine with :s

[EllyTech]

Quote

storm63 - 11/8/2009 17:04

Quote

EllyTech - 11/8/2009 16:58

Carefully does it, Ian! A little warm weather and there is a guaranteed buzzy problem! - had a wasp in the living room earlier.

Im a bit phobic, well quite a bit actually when it comes to Wasps and Hornets, i fell into a nest aged 7 or 8 and got stung 6 times on my face alone, the one on my lip was the worse, now i try my hardest not to act like the nutter on the bus waving arms vigorously but sometimes i just have to lol. Now spiders, im fine with :s

Bartering services could be in development here lol! You deal with my spiders and I'll gladly deal with your buzzy creatures!

Childhood scares like that are bound to have an effect on the 'phobia button', Ian. You have my sympathy and empathy. Perhaps leaving a top window open where there is most sunlight, with some bait might encourage its speedy departure - ?

[Ian Williams]

Hi Elly atm its on the floor, obviously cream crackered from trying to get out, may just may pluck up the courage to swoop it up with my tropical fish net and let it out.

Deal! No probs with spiders, my friend has a Tarantula and a snake and i dont mind handling either, im ok with bees, even picked bumble bees up that have gotten wet and sodden and put them in the sun to dry out.

[EllyTech]

Others might think this a bit cruel but as you are very phobic - do you have any freeze spray; the kind used for sporting injuries? Just a thought but a little of that sprayed near to the hornet once you have netted it, will cool the air to below a temperature it will fly at .... might make it easier to deal with. :)

[Ian Williams]

Its ok Elly it crawled out and gone, but thanks for that info, i will keep it in mind for the future