a Mobile HotSpot for yellow jackets.
Oh no, not yellow jackets again! Arrrggggghhhhh!!!
My yard, at any given moment during the daylight hours, is home to somewhere between 200 and 300 yellow jackets. I can’t go outdoors once the morning fog has burned off. In all the years we’ve lived here things have never been like this.
Prior to 2012, even in the worst years we’ve only had an issue if we tried to eat outdoors - especially barbecue.
Are you aware exterminators will not help you find a nest? They are just as terrified as you are. Once you locate a nest they will help you eradicate it. But they won’t participate in the search. Too deadly. And there’s no bait a yellow jacket will pick up and take back to the hive to kill off all his yellow jacket friends. There is also no natural means of keeping them out of your yard. Nothing repels them.
You all must think I’m a big meanie, but I’m not. I never use poisons. I hate poisons. I appreciate nature. I try my best to live in harmony, but this… this yellow jacket situation is beyond the pale. It’s like I’m under house arrest. I want them all dead.
I can’t wait to begin desensitization treatments. I don’t think anyone has ever wanted frequent injections as much as I do. Yes, please shoot me up! I start treatment as soon as we get back from Wales. (Stopping with the lovely Ishbel and Tom in London first!)
Yesterday hubby took Jake hiking by himself, which I’ve made him do since I simply can’t risk another sting before we leave. The day was cold and overcast and he didn’t see a single yellow jacket.
My Armor.
This morning, because it was once again cool and overcast I agreed to go. I donned an under armor long-sleeved shirt covered by a hooded sweatshirt, a watch cap, heavy jeans and boots.
We stopped in the dog enclosure to throw the ball for Jake. We were there maybe ten, fifteen minutes. The instant we left the enclosure a yellow jacket flew by my head. I said to hubby - “It’s not the ones you see that get you, it’s the ones you don’t see. You walk behind me.” He did. And withing seconds he was swatting a yellow jacket away from my back. A few seconds later, he was swatting a yellow jacket away from my head.
“Run,” he yells!
I run off in one direction, he runs off in another and he’s swatting at a yellow jacket with his baseball cap.
“Go to the car,” he yells! ”I can’t walk with you! You’re a bloody Mobile HotSpot for yellow jackets.”
I tried to tell him…
Why isn’t this a horror movie?
XXOO Kat
That is a little frightening. Not the volume of yellow jackets. That seems mundane. But your apparent ability to unknowingly entice them to you. That’s kind of scary.
I can understand you wanting them gone. You want to live your life. How scary.
Yes, Amber. Dead and gone. Nasty buggers.
I know, Aaron, why do they like me? I deliberately don’t put any sort of scent on.
Kat - my husband said the same thing. This could be a horror movie. Forget giant spiders, just go with yellow jackets.
Good grief! I bet you can’t wait for winter.
I’ve noticed cats always try to sit on people who are allergic, too.
Oh Marie, I can’t wait for winter! My son pointed that out too - same as cats. Always attracted to people who are allergic or hate cats.
Is it dry where you are? Years ago my husband was a timber faller. We were in a drought. When they’d cut down a tree, bees and wasps swarmed the stumps because of the moisture. It made their jobs so difficult.
Just a thought…it could be some product you use that’s attracting them? Shampoo. Skin cream. Soap. OR a product you use on your clothing???
*sigh* Julia, Julia. This is why you never leave the house. Voila! No bees. The last time I was stung, it was in the eye - I learned very quickly that yellow jackets are Satan’s Minions and wherever they are, I am not meant to be.
Can’t wait to see your pictures from Wales!
Oh Barbara! You nailed it! They are Satan’s minions! Meat Bees! It is so hard for me - I can’t hike. I can’t go anywhere. I have to keep the windows closed in my car. It’s driving me insane. I just got on the eliptical and worked out for 90 minutes. Frustration!
I’ve thought of that, Anny. I’m not even washing my hair! No-scent Dove.
Yeah, Stephanie. Super dry. The last time this happened was a dry year as well. I can imagine how hard that was - I don’t mind bees and regular wasps aren’t usually trying to kill you. Yellow jackets are murderous!
Ouch! They do like you don’t they?
O My, What a drag for you. But I am happy you were not stung again.
Total drag, Steph. And thanks.
Flaming eck Jules Hazmat suit and a flaming big sign round your neck warning everyone else to stay clear of the danger zone or move to a colder climate. but we’ll still love you even I. Your hazmat suit, if just from a distance xxxxx
Ain’t it just awful, Tom? What is it about me? I don’t eat a lot of sugar… not much meat… I mind my own business…