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Green Rosie

Joined: 13 May 2007
Posts: 10498
Location: Calvados, France

Posted: Mon Jun 29, 09 6:54 pm Post subject:

I find them a lot less scary than wasps which are faster, quieter and as said, probably more likely to sting than a hornet. BUT ...... both OH and I react badly to wasps - I have a scar from a wasp sting of 8 or so years ago and when I got stung on the foot 2 years ago I couldn't walk for 2 days. So I really do not want to be on the receiving end of a hornet sting that could be 10 times worse. But like you say Goosey - they are beautiful and do eat garden pests.

It will be a dilemma if I do find a nest

goosey

Joined: 29 Apr 2009
Posts: 380
Location: Merry England

Posted: Mon Jun 29, 09 8:04 pm Post subject:
I know. I see you have small chidren too, so that is a consideration. My toddler grandson had a feast on woodlice one day, sitting in the garden. A hornet might have been a different proposition. Perhaps other people could try putting them outside first, instead of automatically bashing them.? Thanks

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 09 7:11 am Post subject:

goosey wrote:

We look forward to seeing the first queens in spring.

None round here but I also love seeing them.

For those worried about them worth looking at the Wiki entry for some more info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornet

I.e. if you react badly to wasp stings you will also react to hornet stings. The European hornet is less toxic than honey bee stings but more painful than a typical wasp.

ksia

Joined: 17 May 2006
Posts: 2320
Location: Mayenne, France

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 09 10:18 am Post subject:

Green Rosie wrote:

It will be a dilemma if I do find a nest

No dilemma at all. Call pompiers. "Person killed by blundering onto hornets nest" is a guaranteed annual subheadline in Ouest France. Single queen easier to tackle than small nest, small nest easier to tackle than big nest.

(Agree with dpack) the sting is really nasty. You're recommended to seek medical help if you get one.

They may be gentle, but if you pick a pear/hornet combination or sit on one you'll see just how gentle they are.

(Neighbour is an ex-pompier!)

goosey

Joined: 29 Apr 2009
Posts: 380
Location: Merry England

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 09 10:55 am Post subject:
Newspaper headlines do tend to be a source of hyperbole. Continental papers more so than the cooler northern temperament. My daughter trod on a wasp, it hurt for two days, I asked her if it was very bright to run around in bare feet without care. Knowing we live along with wildlife, look, listen, and think.

ksia

Joined: 17 May 2006
Posts: 2320
Location: Mayenne, France

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 09 11:50 am Post subject:
Well, goosey, when you accidently strim a hornets nest I trust you will act cooly. (And if you knew "Ouest France" you'd know it's about as hyperbolical as the instructions written on the side of a tin of paint by a boring person on heroin at the end of a long day).

Vanessa

Joined: 08 May 2006
Posts: 8324

Posted: Thu Jul 02, 09 5:47 pm Post subject:

I treat both wasps and hornets with enormous respect, being allergic to wasp stings. The two are completely different in behaviour; I observed both from uncomfortably close quarters when picking apples (commercially) last autumn here in France. The wasp sits and scoffs on the fruit, gets drunk and goes looking for a fight. The hornet sits on the fruit, gathers as much as it can carry, and takes it off to the nest! I feared the hornets FAR less than I feared the wasps.

I must add that I NEVER put my fingers to the back of an apple, though ... as finger-on-stinging-insect = sting. Sting = Vanessa-rushed-to-hospital. Not good.

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