Topic: Cleaned out my 5/1 today

[tmoosetrax]

Luckily the weather is cooler and the 4-5 yellow jackets inside were hardly moving.

[Glenn]

Yikes! Did you see them buzzing around before taking the station down?

[Intheswamp]

Hmm, people pay good money for FARS...   

[tmoosetrax]

Did not notice any bees flying around in or out but truthfully never really was looking for them, unit sits about 15 feet above our garden. About 5-6 bees were inside when i opened it up but they were very    lethargic.
Still need to decide if i want to replace the entire unit or just the Humidity sensor without cracking the case. It sounded so brittle from sitting out in the weather for three years.

[Intheswamp]

Those were paper wasps...definitely not bees.   

Most bees can sting you only once, whereas wasps can sting multiple times. 

[tmoosetrax]

had about 5-6 of these inside

[Intheswamp]

Yep, them'll put a hurt on ya!!!!!

[Bashy]

Looks like what we call Hornets, over here in the UK

[Intheswamp]

European Paper Wasps...similar in markings to the hornets that we have here in the states but the wasps are much smaller and build mostly an open-faced nest whereas the hornets build an enclosed nest with only a couple/few entrances to it.
http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=423


Typical hornets nest...


Size comparison of some bees, wasps, and hornets.  Note that the scale is 1/2", or 1.25cm.


FWIW   

[SlowModem]

Under normal conditions, a honeybee away from it's hive will not bother you unless you step on it or try to grab it.  They only want to go about their business.

Wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets are hateful and aggressive.  They will attack and sting you for no reason and without warning.

A honeybee loses it's stinger and dies.  The others can sting over and over.

Remain vigilant.

[CW2274]

Under normal conditions, a honeybee away from it's hive will not bother you unless you step on it or try to grab it.  They only want to go about their business.

I think it's safe to assume you don't have Africanized bees in your part of the country.