Actually, the count in my
title is probably low. It also starts with a bit of bad luck.
Knowing both front and back
lawns needed cut, I offered to do one if SO would mow the other. The choice relinquished
to him, I got busy out front around eight or so this morning.
Just as I made the last few
short passes to finish (blessing number one), a sharp pain struck the back of
my head. I ran, pushing the shut off mower ahead of me, and flung off my glove
to feel the spot below the back of my baseball cap.
Having worn a hat is the
second blessing.
I don’t always where a head
cover, and that might have protected me from further injury. When I turned
around wondering if my shrub poked me, the culprit came into view. Well, its
compatriots. It’s a true blessing I wasn’t stung multiple times, perhaps this
being a less aggressive form of wasp or hornet. I’m not interested in a
positive identification, not if lawn mowing is enough to trigger an attack, mere
warning or not.
 |
| See the Nest at Center? |
It would be easy to count on
and on my good fortune, since the sting occurred in a less sensitive spot on my
body, the colony didn’t attack as a murderous group, and I’m not suffering an
allergic reaction. Racing a few feet away precluded pursuit, though I wasted no
time coming inside. My glove, I think, got stuck in the mower blade as it came
to a stop.
We plan on going out toward
sunset with, sad to say, an eradicating pyrethrin spray. I despise killing
these pollinators. But we have to stay safe. At least the entrance is pointed
in a convenient direction.
 |
| Thank Heaven for Zoom Lenses! |
Do you think I'll find my heavy duty glove in one piece?
Yikes. Those critters don't mess around. They probably hated the noise. Alas, I'm fairly certain your glove is a goner, although you'll have to tell us how it fared when you retrieve it.
ReplyDeleteAgreed on all counts! I'll have to flip the mower in the morning. It's too hot now. ~nods~ We shall see.
DeleteWow! That's something! It's really rather a beautiful nest, isn't it? I've never had those, just the paper ones built under the eaves, or mud daubers, which make a mess and leave stains.
ReplyDeleteI hate killing too, but sometimes it's us or them! I wonder why the mower made at least one so angry?
Glad you're okay.
I agree that's a work of functional art. My understanding is that loud noises and even certain smells can work up aggressive colonies. I'm soooo lucky they aren't yellow jackets. Thank you for the kind word!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I sure am glad you are okay.
ReplyDeleteYikes! You were lucky even if your glove is ruined.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Thank you for the kind word.
DeleteHoney the glove was probably a goner as I hope that nest becomes one also. Wow...yep makes even keeping the yard up a challenge as I sit here thinking I need to get off my rear and get mine done! Yikes my body is yelling at me to keep sitting....
ReplyDeleteThank you. Wish I could help you! Take care.
DeleteHi Darla - Yesterday I couldn't comment on your blot. I have a Google account, but it just didn't recognize me. So today I thought I'd try Chrome instead of Firefox. Chrome knows me on Blogger blogs and Firefox doesn't.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy that you only got one sting instead of many. As for the glove? It's toast. I hate killing anything either, but these guys are going to be nothing but trouble for you and your hubby. Or anyone that visits.
Have a fabulous day. ♥
I think Facebook is shadow banning me. ~shrugs~ Or the tech is somehow doing weird things. So happy you left a comment! We seem to have eradicated the colony. Be well, my dear.
DeleteIt's making me feel nervous just reading that! Don't feel too bad about getting rid of the pesky little blighters; it's not as if they're endangered! As for the glove - bye-bye!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind word and the giggle. I've not searched out the glove today, too busy nursing the minor head wound from venom. Heh...
DeleteOuch! Hope you're OK...let's hear it for the hat for protecting you from the swarm's wrath, but it still sounds like they were wrathful. (hugs)
ReplyDeleteThank you! The back of my head is still a bit achy and itchy, which makes me even more grateful I only got stung once. I can see how folks can end up in the hospital with severe attacks. Hugs back to you, my dear.
DeleteThose nests are all over waterloo park in the oaks. Are they pollinators? Aren't they paper wasps, who make those? I'm going to now try to educate myself.
ReplyDeleteOk, I read yellow jackets are included in the paper wasp category although they ground nest. Paper wasps are considered beneficial to the garden in that they prey on other insects many of them detrimental garden hosts. They use a nest only once and all but the queen die off every winter. They become quite aggressive in the fall.
ReplyDelete