alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Every day, at least one. One night "roosting" on the kitchen ceiling, one day waiting to go out of the back door, today TWO, one dead by the back door when I got up and a HUGE one at least 1.5" long on the kitchen window just now.

Stupid things. Bees and wasps I catch and usher out, usually in a plastic glass kept for the purpose, sliding a piece of card, or paper under it.

Hornets are another matter. I am afraid they are dispatched quickly with the flyswat. I've seen the results of a hornet sting, so I don't mess.

I'm searching for the nest, thought it might be in one of the chimneys again, but no sign. I have my hornet nest destroyer spray on hand, should I find it. Just got to find it and await dusk.

Ah, the pleasures of living in the country, owls keep me awake at night and hornets bug me during the day.

I guess I'm never staisfied, eh.

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

You obviously did your research before buying property abroad so I'd assume you were aware of the potential hazards and annoyances the French countryside would throw up at you

P.S. Did you get the pics I sent of the little 'un?

Myles

iTrader: (40)

I was stung on the head by a Hornet as a youth, I had a head like a bowling pin.

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

On the plus side, hornet's diets consist entirely of other insects which they consume in quite large amounts, so you'll have less flies, wasps, and other nuisance bugs around.

Myles

iTrader: (40)

Next Attenborough project, 'Living With Hornets'. Rather you than me mate.

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

How about some of these to keep the midges and mozzies at bay.

dpb

House i inhertited and lived in for a few months always had hornets apparently . I was just driving away one time when i felt something on my neck , moved a finger over the affected area casually and was stung - stopped quite shortly afterwards and then realised what had happened

He flew away and about an hour into the 2hr trip neck was quite sore/ numb


Having said that nothing compared to being bitten by couple wasps on the face , pretty certain they were wasps ( didnt see them but was told they were there and nesting )

tony de wonderful

boxst

I think fire is the only way to go ...

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

The above is a giant wood wasp. We have them here, thankfully, they are solitary, and can grow to 2" long.

They LOOK fearsome, but are quite placid. The ones I have seen have red-ant colored legs and antennae.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Add some sort, slightly wet tea towel flicked good and hard, if it connects, devastating for insects, and plant pots, mug trees and anything else in the vicinity.

tony de wonderful

Is that what your wife punishes you with?

dpb

Hornets have a much longer abdomen

Chip

You don't say

Pink_Floyd

George McGavin chap from Oxford Uni who is always on The One Show reckons a hornet sting is no worse than a wasps. Don't think I'd like to find out though!

Leslie

They certainly sound threatening when they are buzzing around. Not the sort of insect I want to mess with anyway.

Les