Where are the wasps?

[guinnessman]

Someone at work just asked me if i'd seen any wasps yet this year and i realised i hadn't. Lots of bumble bees but no wasps. We're in Manchester by the way. Has anyone seen them anywhere else ?

We reckon there groping up waiting for an attack en mass ! :-)

[mongos bird]

Hi Guinnessman, now you mention it there does seem a lack of the little blighters.  I'm just over the hill in Holmfirth (Yorks).  Where are the airbourne skinheads???

[ipek]

Down here in Sussex...!!!

We got more nests being built than we can shake a stick at - loads more than normal.  Can't stand the things either.

Maybe they've started a North/South divide in the wasp world.....or they're very rich and fancy a change of scenery.

[ratbag66]

Wasps season doesn't start until August (than God!) - they are ony about for a few weeks at the end of summer.

[guinnessman]

Ahhh, i never knew that........... Obviously ! Thanks for sharing you knowledge ratbag66 !

[littleoldme]

I did notice a lack of wasps last summer too (I'm in Sussex as well). I have to say, good riddance. While I love wildlife and nature, this is one species that I'd happily see made extinct tomorrow. Spiteful, vindictive little critters. Bah. Grump.

[guinnessman]

Just thought i should point out, in my question i meant to put grouping up, not groping up.......... Just so you know i'm not kinky or anything.

[~Wingnut~]

Hi here in North Yorkshire we have been saying how there are hardly any wasps! Last year we were inundated with the bloomin things (I'm allergic if I get stung so hate them!) both my children were stung and we just couldn't get over how many there were, that was until we went up in the loft in the winter and my husband found the biggest wasp nest he has ever seen! Guess we know why we had so many now! lol

I didn't know that ratbag66, think I'll hide for the whole of August! :o)

~Wingnut~

[BigDogsWang]

'Touching wood' I've never been stung by one. Just as well as they are the one insect that sends a shiver down my spine. They've just got that 'you wanna try it' look about them. Tough little so and so's too. Killing them just annoys them.

Did you ever see the National Geographic documentry about the Japanese Killer Wasp? My god, I NEVER EVER EVER want to meet one of them!

[cat woman]

Here in Hertfordshire with the hot weather we have been having the last few days I thought it would bring the little jaspers out! but we haven't seen any, (thank goodness! ) We have apple trees in our garden which normally attracts them, but there is still time, we are ready for them this year, we have a secret weapon!  I bought my husband a great gadget for last Christmas its a battery opperated wire stringed racket, it gives the little jaspers a electric shock.  So he cant wait to use it on them, he has tried it out on various flying insects and it does work ( not bees ) the blighters sizzle when they hit the wire. Roll on August we are ready for them, he! he!  :-)

[Peri]

As the man said 'don't mention the wasps'.  I myself would not mind if I never saw another one.  I am terrified of them since one got caught in my long hair when I was a child. 

[dmsjps]

General agreement with everyone else here: for the last couple of years we've had LOADS of the blighters in our garden, but this year, so far so good ... but then that might be because it's not August yet! Oh please no, I hate them so much. I've been stung so many times in the worst places (under the eye, in the ear, etc) and it hurts! I'm sure they were around for 2 or 3 months the last couple of years though, but I could be wrong.

 

cat woman, I've heard about those tennis racquet things; where do you get them?

[cat woman]

Hi dmsjps, I bought the racquet from Birthdays but I haven't seen them in there since Christmas, you could try either "The Gadget Shop" or " The Discovery Shop".

 

 Just having looked at the cover it comes in , it has got GADGET SHOP printed on it with its name "INSECTINATOR".   Good luck in finding one, you will have great fun with it,  One word of advice, dont touch the wires for at least 10 seconds after you turn it off because it holds a bit of power and it will give you a smart jolt.   :-)

[twiglet4frog]

read a newspaper article last year that wasps are dying off and that may even become endangered creatures within 10 - 15 years. Cant see it myself tho

[kazzee69]

I was thinking this earlier today. We have tons of bees in our garden but no wasps. Strange!

[jimtom]

No sign of wappies yet here in the Midlands but I did see a Hornet about 3 weeks ago, they scare me s***less, and I'm meant to be a tough farmer! This one was banging into the tractor windscreen trying to get me , I swear it was!
What's the purpose of wasps in God's great plan?

Jim