[AT] OT-Ground bees

Sat Aug 22 17:08:33 PDT 2020

Steve,

Next time cut the grass with a gasoline powered mower, leave it running over the nest when they start to come out.😜

Actually, that may not work. They seem to know that the created vacuum isn’t normal and may not leave the hole. Maybe they sense it as a high wind and won’t fly(???).

I once had a nest in the overhang where they found a gap to get in. I took my shop vac and banged on the side of the house to get them to come out. Some did and the vacuum took care of them. After a while I could see them coming to the edge of the gap but they wouldn’t come out until I moved the hose extension away (had about four extensions ganged together). I waited until the sun started to go down and put the hose near the gap. As the day crew started to return to the nest I was able to catch most of them before they made it into gap. Did this for 2 - 3 days, figuring I’d eventually get them all. Not a chance. When I opened the overhang there were still plenty in there. Took the vacuum and sucked them and the nest out.

When I was done for the day I just sprayed wasp/hornet spray into the hose inlet and let it sit overnight.

You’d be surprised at how hard their heads are. As they got sucked into the hose, I could hear their heads hitting the sides of the hose all the way into the vacuum. Sounded like I was vacuuming up gravel.

When I was younger, being stung didn’t bother me much, but now I swell up pretty good. Last time I got stung it was on the wrist and my it swelled up pretty good and was really red for a while.

Carl

----- Original Message -----
From: STEVE ALLEN <steveallen855 at centurytel.net>
To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
Sent: Sat, 22 Aug 2020 17:45:55 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: [AT] OT-Ground bees

Funnily enough, I got nailed today myself.  I was using a push mower to rim around the base of some trees, and apparently hit a nest.  The first sting got my attention, but I thought is was a wasp.  Numbers 2 and 3 made me look to see the nice yellow jackets surrounding my legs at the level of the top of my socks.  It took me until Number 5 to let go of the lawn mower, and Number 6 got me in the other leg as I moved off.  I got to my lawn chair several yards away before Number 7 hit.

After a few moments' recovery, I realized I hadn't brought the mower with me.  I looked to see it swarmed with bees and decided that neglect was a good thing.  After a little while, the swarm thinned out, and I took a 12' jumper cable, and used the clamp handles like hocks, tossing them over the more handle and dragging the machine away from the nest.  Only 2 or 3 came away with it, but they soon got bored and left.  Thus I was able to continue mowing, but my leg sure hurts.   

Now begins the eradication campaign.  I usually don't go after these critters unless they are both aggressive and in the way.  This group qualifies.  Since they are not near any buildings or machinery, the limits are few.  I am considering everything from the soap trick through gasoline to atomic fission.  

The "original" (and limping) Steve Allen
Glad it was a push mower and not a JD that I disturbed them with.
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