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 #42 15 Sept 2021 at 10.21pm | |   |
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In reply to Post #11
We had a hornet buzzing round our BBQ yesterday evening. Guy came round for a chat and as soon as it came near him he literally punched it out of the air and stamped on it. Me and my mate were speechless 
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#41 15 Sept 2021 at 10.35am | | |
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30 odd years ago I worked on the docks and we used to have a fair bit of timber from Europe and the far east, whilst using the odd bits of timber I'd sometimes come across big foreign wasps that looked dead.
After hours in the sun they would wake, stubble around then fly off, I wondered if they survived for long or would be able to reproduce etc.
What else came in on those ships?
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#40 12 Sept 2021 at 6.54am | | |
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=trP-4gSfoEY
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#39 11 Sept 2021 at 7.56pm | | |
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In reply to Post #24
Agreed - I stumbled on a Hornet's nest whilst lure fishing along a fenland drain - it was a pretty remote spot, as I'd walked 3 miles from the nearest access point... anyway, they'd made their home in a dead tree stump. Something had disturbed them, probably one of the cows in the field, I don't know, but when several started coming my way, I gave the whole thing a very wide birth! There were hundreds of them and they looked angry... I'd love to have gotten a picture of them all swarming around the tree, but life's too short for that ****! Having said that, I often come across them at this time of year - they like to feed on the apples that fall from the trees in my garden. Quite funny seeing them getting pissed and having trouble taking off...
Wasps? Different story there, they'll just attack you if you annoy them - I once had to get an ambulance for a young lad who set up his bivvy over a wasps nest. He was just putting the groundsheet in and then I heard this screaming - he ran out and clearly a few followed him. He ripped off his T shirt and trousers, as they'd got inside his clothing. He was very badly stung and in shock. I did what I could to keep him calm and guided the ambulance down to the water by phone. So, just check you don't ever set-up in a swim with a wasp nest in it!
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#38 6 Sept 2021 at 6.40pm | | |
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In reply to Post #34
That's because the media gets confused with the Giant Asian Hornet. These can cause life threatening injuries to humans and have been found in the United States and are of real concern.
Asian Hornets finding there way into the UK are slightly smaller than our European Hornet but they are extremely aggressive and will wipe out honey bee colonies given the chance. Bees in other countries are slowly starting to fight back though. When an Asian Hornet Scout enters a hive, the bees vibrate their wings which increases the temperature by a couple of degrees. The Hornet Scout cannot withstand the heat and subsequently dies preventing an attack.
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In reply to Post #34
I've only seen hornets twice and that was many years ago. I am never going anywhere near them again. If I see one I'm running away. I once had wasps fly up my trouser leg and got stung 11 times. Sod getting stung by a hornet.
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#34 1 Aug 2021 at 11.43pm | | |
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In reply to Post #33
Thats right the Asian Hornet is a risk to bee colonies but not us.
American media have been hyping it up hence the nickname but in reality its no greater risk to humans than the European Hornet 
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I googled it
The Asian hornets, also known as yellow-legged hornets, received the affable ‘killer’ moniker for their ability to kill those with allergies with just one sting — this is no more dangerous, however, than native European wasps and hornets.
The real danger lies with their ability to devastate native bee populations.
Asian hornets feed on honeybees. They have the ability to eat up to 50 bees per day, and have been known to wipe out entire colonies.
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#32 1 Aug 2021 at 11.11am | | |
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In reply to Post #26
unfortunately they have a massive problem with asian hornets and they are very deadly. not only can they sting they can also spit venom. the team sent in to destroy them wear 6mm thick suits to stop their stingers getting through. there has been nests in jersey and kent but not many yet but they are on the way.
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In reply to Post #30
It's true that hornets are generally quiet and peaceable if left alone and don't pester humans, to the point where most people have never seen one and are highly unlikely to get stung. My point is to keep it that way because they are genuinely dangerous creatures if they attack in numbers and their sting is far more powerful because the large amount of venom contains very large amounts of acetylcholine which is a powerful Neuro transmitter, hence the pain.
I used to keep bees and as I had all the gear was often asked to remove wasps nests around the village which I was happy to do, wasp grubs and comb is a fantastic chub bait. I've been stung many times by wasps and bees and I'm not particularly bothered by them. Had to stop keeping them as my son developed an allergy.
On the 3 occasions I have seen people stung by hornets they looked like they had been hit by a hammer and it took a week or more for the swelling, pain and irritation to go and the sting left scarring. That's one sting.
I would not recommend sharing a swim with a nest of them.
Glad you left them in peace, fascinating creatures.
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#30 31 Jul 2021 at 9.19pm | | |
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In reply to Post #24
I would rather trust a hornet than a wasp.
When I was growing up we had a hornets nest in our loft and quite often needed to evict ones that took a wrong turn and ended up in the bedrooms. No one ever got stung by them during the time the nest was active.
I’ve had a hornets nest in one of my sheds and they were quite happy to share the shed without getting possessive, they did draw the line when I needed my ladder that they built a corner of their nest on though.
Growing up in the country side I’ve come across quite a few nests of both species in my time, been stung by both and yes it does smart a bit but I’ve found wasps tend to be much more aggressive and especially intolerant of close approaches to their nest. Any closer than 3 or 4 metres seemed to trigger a warning or attack.
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#29 31 Jul 2021 at 7.01pm | | |
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In reply to Post #28
I like your confidence. I prefer distance sticks. Very long distance. Seriously the genuine article are dangerous creatures that need extreme respect. Still you'll smell nice in A&E.
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#28 31 Jul 2021 at 6.14pm | | |
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Hi All
Bees, wasps and hornets
Unless you've camped on a nest peppermint incense sticks will sort you out.
Not only do they solve the problem, but they also make the bivvy smell tip top, and a recent experience leads me to think snakes aren't too keen on them either
Best
Jon
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#27 31 Jul 2021 at 6.13pm | | |
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In reply to Post #26
Had one come into the house a few years back. Like a half.smoked cigar with the accuracy of flight like a drone.
Came in through the patio doors from the woods behind us.
Straight past me and the missus. All the way through the through room to the front window. Jinked backwards then sideways to face back out and left.
Phew
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#26 31 Jul 2021 at 5.11pm | | |
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In reply to Post #25
They are f##king massive in the UK. If its not well over an inch long it's not a hornet, very few people ever see one fortunately.
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