GliderCENTRAL

Paper Wasp brood

Posted By: Anonymous

Paper Wasp brood - 08/01/06 11:02 PM

For those of you who have not yet succumbed to anaphylaxis catching drone honeybees, check under your eaves for small paper wasp nests (golf ball size). Knock them down, abandon the area entirely for an hour or so, then collect them up and see what your gliders think of them.
Mine go nuts over these! The larvae inside must be particularly yummy, because Darcy and the rest of my gliders shred the paperlike comb material like it's Christmas wrapping, and devour the undeveloped young.
--Of course, make sure there is NO pesticide use in the area for at least several years, and make absolutely sure there are no adult wasps left in the comb--
Posted By: KattyM

Re: Paper Wasp brood - 08/02/06 05:57 AM

Interesting! That's true love, to knock down wasp nests for your babies. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" /> For me, eh, mine don't know what they're missing, and I'm not going to tell them! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the tip!
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Paper Wasp brood - 08/02/06 08:23 AM

[:"green"]I have to say, Donna, you're one of my glider-heroes! I am constantly amazed at what you are willing to go through to give your gliders yummy treats! I just wish I lived closer to you so I could come & learn from you <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />...
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Paper Wasp brood - 08/02/06 01:27 PM

Saharanfox, can you take a pic of the wasp nest? There are different types of wasps and their nests and I would not want to give our gliders the wrong type.

I would never have thought in my lifetime to take a wasp nest down and let gliders feast on the wasp larvae!

Like Suz said, I wish I lived closer to you so I could learn from you, and from Suz, too!


Jen
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Paper Wasp brood - 08/02/06 09:56 PM

i have a wasp nest in my front wondow i have een afraid to touch and have nto had a chance to buy spray. how do i know what kind they are?
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Paper Wasp brood - 08/02/06 11:00 PM

Only go for the really small nests, and try to do it on a hot sunny afternoon, when the workers are most likely to be out.
The nest hangs upside-down, and looks like it's made of thin gray paper. Left long enough (the ones I can't reach) they can get as big as a basketball.
Here's a link:
http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg348.html
Here's one from Australia, which looks more like the nests I knock down:
http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/paper_wasps.htm

I use a katana to cut the thin line anchoring the nest, then run like mad.
--DO NOT DO THIS if you have (or think you might have) any sensitivity to insect stings. Wasps can sting repeatedly.--
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Paper Wasp brood - 08/02/06 11:03 PM

that's what is in my window. it is ovrer a hundred out there right now. looking for something to knock it down with.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Paper Wasp brood - 08/03/06 02:34 AM

There is no toxicity in the larvae from a developing stinger?
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Paper Wasp brood - 08/03/06 11:06 PM

Apparently not, as Darcy in particular has eaten tons of them without harm. (I cheerfully confess to blatant favoritism.)
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Paper Wasp brood - 08/03/06 11:28 PM

Wessiepoo....just checking to see how far and fast you had to run...and if you are ok after knocking the nest down. I am sooooo afraid of wasps, cause Im allergic. You are brave brave souls but Im with KattyM...Im not gonna tell them what they are missing.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Paper Wasp brood - 08/04/06 05:38 PM

It's funny that I've stumbled across this thread. My father currently sports a red, fat and swollen eye from attempting to weed out a yellow jacket wasp hive. They came at him like a roaring rocket!

The wasp lavae themselves are nutritious, so if you're able to obtain them without being stung, congrats to you and your gliders! Just know the risks of pesticides are still indeed there.

Happy dining! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Mikey <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: BCChins

Re: Paper Wasp brood - 08/04/06 06:36 PM

Goes out to deck and looks under railings and lo-and-behold tonights snack is Wasp nests.
OH honey I have a new project for you I really hate those wasp nests under there, the kids can get stung could you please remove them for me!!! HEHE What a good Husband!!!
Will let you know how they like them.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Paper Wasp brood - 08/06/06 12:12 AM

Oh my gosh you guys are giving me hives just reading this!!! I think I have laughed myself silly reading this, just the picture of you all outside looking under railings and under windows and eaves LOOKING for a wasps nest!! Ok thanks for the laugh I needed it.
My babies would prolly love this kind of treat, but I am highly allergic and have to carry a eppipen with me just in case. Knowing my hubby he would go out and get one then come in and tease me with it till I peed my pants. SO we are just not gonna let him read this post.
Good He didnt see it.....Now how far did you have to run to get away from teh wasps screaming after you?
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Paper Wasp brood - 08/06/06 01:23 AM

in truth, gliderlady, i ahve nto done it yet.something came up and i got busy and forgot. but i will nto ahve to run screaming far, the nest is like 6 feet from my front door so i should, in theory, be able to duck in the house. maybe i will go do that now, let me go see how dark it is.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Paper Wasp brood - 08/07/06 11:28 PM

Evening is not the best time to mess with bees or wasps--they're all home, and cranky from working all day.
With small nests (2 or 3 inches across), they usually give up chasing me after about ten yards or so.
If you can duck inside and slam the door, that sounds even better.
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