Okay, so I'm really busy today, but there are some things that simply cannot be ignored.
Such is the case with the following story--Giant nests perplex experts
I have now been sent this exact same item TWICE by two different bloggers--the mother of Perfect Tommy (and a lovely brunette herself) Miss Sarah, and well known cripple Dr. Jim Smith.
Read the whole article, it's creepy as all get out. I had seen several articles about it (including some of the ones here), and a news report on TV here showed the car in the article with the huge nest inside, but I guess I never thought anyone would really care about it. Which proves that even I can be wrong once in my life.
Anyway, the whole idea of supernests just creeps me out all over--I can't stand yellow jackets because they're mean aggressive little SOBs, but when they were mostly just something that made a nest underground, I didn't worry so much about them. But these nests are huge and look like some kind of something you'd see on Star Trek. I didn't even realize yellow jackets were paper wasps--I always figured since I saw them in the ground they were dirt wasps like a dirt dauber. But the things they build are like giant sheets of corrugated cardboard--almost like seeing a hornet's nest turned inside out and unfurled. And what I don't understand is why they seem to be doing this HERE. I know the article says it was because of the mild winter [insert obligatory, "I blame George McHitlerburton ChimpsterRove and the lack of a signature on Kyoto which led to global warming."] but you'd think if it was simply a matter of mild weather, you'd be just as likely to see them in Florida--or better yet, GEORGIA, where there's a whole SCHOOL that uses them as a mascot. But NOOOOOO. They're HERE!
Here are some helpful tips for dealing with these satanic little scourges from the Auburn Extension Service, as well as a couple of more recent Extension blog posts about the phenomenon. They've got better pictures, too.
Anyway, if you see a nest like this, don't mess with it.
Be more careful how you describe me, please. I’m not well known.
Posted by: jim at August 23, 2006 06:45 PMI can't stand those little buggers. I got hit by one last summer while weeding and that caused me to write off that whole flower bed for the rest of the season. Which in a small way was good, because I dislike weeding too.
Posted by: Sarah G. at August 23, 2006 09:54 PMYikes! WMDs (Wasps of Mass Destruction) found in 'bama!
Jim, you're well-known to me, and as we all recall, it's all about me.
Sarah, would you feel as strongly about them if they'd eat the weeds to make their giant swarming nests?
And Ron, just wait until the WMDs start collaborating with the MKBs. (MEXICAN KILLER BEES!)
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at August 24, 2006 08:15 AMNo, because they hurt like heck. Larry got hit by one last night and I commeted that it was better him than one of the kids. He gave a rueful laugh and said "Why, because they would whine about it all night long?!"
Posted by: Sarah G. at August 24, 2006 09:15 AMTell him about these giant nests, and I bet he won't mind getting stung by just one. The alternative, after all...
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at August 24, 2006 10:34 AMThose nests make me want to find a Army-Navy surplus that will sell me a no-kidding flamethrower to do battle with. "Sorry 'bout your old car Bob, but those critters needed to go!"
Posted by: Nate at August 24, 2006 10:37 AMIt does seem that some sort of Starship Troopers action would be a good thing.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at August 24, 2006 10:56 AM