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Posted by pamsterdam on 2008-07-10 14:20:15 +0000

wasp advice

Does anyone have advice about wasps? In the past week, I've found close to 30 either dead or dying along a wall lined with windows, with a built-in clothes-closet at one end and the computer at the other, with a radiator below the windows. Nowhere else in the apartment - or even anywhere else in the room - seems affected. There are no holes in the ceiling or walls. I wasn't bothered by them (apart from feeling bad that they seem to be dying without finding their way out) until just now when a live one got stuck in my pantleg, stung me twice, and got smashed by me - thinking it was a roving wooden splinter. So now I feel even more guilty (I'm not allergic, so the physical stings don't bother me as much as those assaulting my conscience). Where are they likely to be coming from? I don't see a nest behind the radiator, the computer equipment, under the tables/chairs, or in the closet. The windows aren't left open when I'm not at the computer and I haven't seen any flying in (or out). What can I do to help them out (or keep them out)?

Posted by TheFullCleveland on 2008-07-10 15:17:32 +0000

Ouch! I found this link, hope it helps! In a nutshell, wasps are aggressive and dangerous, may be hidden somewhere in your wall, and you can try to coexist, or kill them.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2008-07-10 15:31:19 +0000

Thanks, TFC - you're a superstar! The response I liked best there was: "From my experience, wasps will only sting you if you intrude on the nest or if they get caught in your hair or clothing... If you want to move them away, persistently reach your hand slowly towards them--they'll buzz in those crazy circles for a while, then get tired of moving away from your hand and fly off. They will not get "mad" and sting you... If you thrash around, you are more likely to trap them in your clothing and be stung." So I guess the trick is to start using the Internets naked again, seeing as no thrashing occurred prior to the pantleg entrapment.

Posted by MF DU on 2008-07-10 19:50:18 +0000

Take a WIFF of my pantleg, baby...

Posted by tgl on 2008-07-10 23:34:16 +0000

It's totally obvious to make WASP jokes here. Even though you *know* they're coming, they'd still be funny. Q: "Where are they likely to be coming from?" A: Westchester County.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2008-07-11 04:02:49 +0000

I laughed! And I just realised that WASP wasn't the christian rock band who threw bibles out at their stadium audiences (and knocked a few of 'em out with bad/good aim) - that was STRYPER. WASP were the ones who recorded the classic "F*** like a beast". I guess I misheard the lyrics as "F*** like THE Beast" and assumed it was an anti-fornication anthem.

Posted by mr. mister on 2008-07-11 15:35:28 +0000

WASPS like to go sailing. Keep away from water. Stryper had that song "To Hell with THe Devil!" I have a bee problem in my backyard. If you can call it that. I go outside eat some lunch, and they attack my food. I make a mad dash back into my apartment swearing almost dropping my water/juice and vow to find the nest again. But never do. I hear that you look for the nest at night and then flood it with poison.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2008-07-11 16:55:58 +0000

mr. mister? I love you. No, really. And also?

Posted by Miriam on 2008-07-11 18:29:38 +0000

I'm so sorry you got stung and are having a bizarre wasp infestation. I'd check outside the windows to see if there's a nest. They may be sneaking in when you're not looking. I've got most kinds of stinging, flying bugs around my house, and aside from a plethora of mosquito bites, I've been lucky not to get stung by anything yet. Then again, I stay very still when they start flying near me. Having been stung by a swarm of hornets when I was 10 and stepping on bumble bee as a teen, I am not anxious to be stung again. Last year I did use a can of that foam poison to kill an underground yellowjacket nest; those things are angry ALL the time.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2008-07-13 13:16:57 +0000

I got bitten by a pony yesterday. If the species of beasties biting me keep increasing in size this exponentially, I'll be eaten by Godzilla before my birthday.

Posted by mr. mister on 2008-07-14 02:04:46 +0000

ditto Pamsterdam. I haven't seen the trainwreck that is the VH1 tv show Bret Michaels Rock of Love. But this is one of the contestants.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2008-07-14 03:55:13 +0000

I think I'm blind. See, this is why I'm not getting a tv when I return stateside. Must. Maintain. Sanity. And just to be a gumpy old woman for a minute - Didn't VH1 used to be MTV for yuppies? And didn't MTV used to play VIDEOS???!!! Alright, now I need to soak my dentures and sit with a blanket over my knees.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2008-07-14 07:23:19 +0000

Thank you, baby. x The wasps now appear to be gone - I've left the computer room windows closed since The Sting, so I reckon your bet that they were sneaking in while I wasn't looking was 100% correct, madam. Weird that they'd want to come sit by me while they die... I'm like some kind of wasp hospice worker. Except I killed one of my "patients". Yikes!

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wasp advice