Saturday, March 05, 2016

Wasp Nest Excavation



This is a wasp researcher in New Zealand
excavating an underground nest of German yellowjacket wasps (Vespula germanica).

This is the same species of ground-nesting wasps I have encountered when digging on the dogs in Maryland and Virginia.  These are quite different from digger bees.

2 comments:

Viatecio said...

Oh holy buckets, that would be a big fat NOPE from my end. Wasps, hornets and yellowjackets are my Room 101. A toast of fine home-brewed flavored coffee to this brave fearless soul entering the fray armored in sting-proof clothing.

All terror aside, I did giggle at the wasps attacking the camera. Wanted to ask how that was going for them. STING THAT LENS MOAR, IT's WORKING!

Unknown said...

If you are faced with these on your property do not remove them this way! A quart of low octane gasoline will do nicely, a droplet will kill them in midair.
Since these critters navigate by the position of the sun and are reluctant to leave the hive after sunset best time is after 10PM. Lowest collateral damage....