My first experience with ground dwelling hornets in this yard was when the offspring were still in elementary school. I was innocently mowing the lawn when all of a sudden I started screaming and dancing. I had mowed over a hornet nest and they didn't like it. They stung me four times. I couldn't tell where they were coming from and was reluctant to let go of the mower because it was hard to start. Hence the screaming and dancing. Eventually I figured out it was time to run away so I did. Ever since that fateful day, I've been nervous mowing - constantly on the watch for round holes in the grass that might indicate a ground dwelling hornet nest. I've dealt with these hornets at least five years since that time. This year the hornets decided not to dig out a nest. They chose instead to move into a hollow space beneath my garage slab where the garter snakes used to live until I chased them out with moth balls. I first noticed the hornet nest in early July. I have used two cans of bee and hornet spray which is supposed to kill them. The spray is not working. I spray into the hole every night at dusk and every day I see more hornets coming and going . Maybe they mislabeled the pesticide. Maybe it's really bee and hornet vitamins. All this hornet coming and going is making me nervous. I drive my car right over the hornet entrance to get into the garage. Today I shut the garage door as soon as the car passed the door in case any angry hornets wanted to follow me in. My next step is to make or buy a hornet trap. Any other suggestions?
1 comment:
Take out the mothballs? Garter snakes won't sting you. I suppose it's easier said than done, though.
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