Please identify the species please
Jul 6, 2014 23:48:34 #
Cut a big pine tree down a couple days ago and was moving the branches yesterday when this lot attacked my arms and legs. I've got about 30 odd stings but my flight or fight response was fight and I must of got about 30 of the buggers before the fight was over. Glad they didn't discover my face and head. Maybe their nest was already in the tree or maybe they just discovered a great new home under the pile of branches. Either way it was a very exciting 20 or 30 seconds.
Used a rake and rope to clear that pile today and while I didn't see any dark angry cloud from afar, when I approached the cleared area this is all that was left of the nest with many flying around. Solution? I lowered the lawn mower blade to its lowest setting and gave them a 60 second wind storm. The nest has all but disappeared along with a good number of them (and the grass) but there are still a few stragglers trying to find home.
Used a rake and rope to clear that pile today and while I didn't see any dark angry cloud from afar, when I approached the cleared area this is all that was left of the nest with many flying around. Solution? I lowered the lawn mower blade to its lowest setting and gave them a 60 second wind storm. The nest has all but disappeared along with a good number of them (and the grass) but there are still a few stragglers trying to find home.
Jul 6, 2014 23:52:35 #
Look like Yellow Jackets to me. They match the pictures when you google yellow jacket.
Jul 7, 2014 01:34:06 #
Most likely male Long yellowjackets (Vespula vidua):
http://bugguide.net/node/view/9237
http://www.google.com/search?q=Long+yellowjackets+%28Vespula+vidua%29&lr=&hl=en&as_qdr=all&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=sDG6U7PrPObd8AHxvgE&ved=0CCgQsAQ&biw=1440&bih=767
http://bugguide.net/node/view/9237
http://www.google.com/search?q=Long+yellowjackets+%28Vespula+vidua%29&lr=&hl=en&as_qdr=all&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=sDG6U7PrPObd8AHxvgE&ved=0CCgQsAQ&biw=1440&bih=767
Jul 7, 2014 08:25:00 #
Eastern Yellow Jackets have nests in the ground and around here always in pine trees. They are found from the deep south all the way up to Canada.
Jul 7, 2014 08:39:14 #
Thanks to all of you. Nice to know what almost got the better of me. :-(
Jul 7, 2014 12:02:37 #
Jul 8, 2014 10:57:27 #
Yellow-jackets. I've been stung by them so many times it ain't funny. Surveying seems to always take you right to their nest.
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