Just got stung by yellow jacket on Ear....

[CookieNBabe]

Great post Utah! One other bit of info, bees cannot fly when the temperature is 58 farenheit or below. They cannot generate enough wing-speed to get lift-off. They may try, but wont go far or do much. Lethargic. And they need the sun also, as their prizmatic eyes depend on the angle of the sun to find their way back home. You wont see bees flying much on overcast days or when the sun has set.

So in the cold mornings or at night is when you are safest approaching a hive or nest with the Ortho sprayer.

 

[barman]

WOLF, if you're still alive to read my post (now 22 hours since your lead post), you're fine.

PARLAYIN', you aptly note that Wolf probably didn't identify the critter correctly.

Bottom line on stings from flying insects is that if you don't have a really stupid reaction within five to ten minutes, you're going to be fine.

I'm a lawn/garden man who gets stung a few times every year. In fact, got my first such pop for 2007 this past Monday afternoon. (In flesh of right bicep...OUCH).

If there's a "paper maiche" type nest, it's Wasps in most cases.

"Yellow jackets" are a distinct breed of wasps who build their nests underground which is why you hear the occasional story of some dude getting rolled up with dozens (or hundreds) of stings when they stumble on the nest without seeing it.

ICE the affected area down to help numb the topical burn.

The poision from a single (or even two to four) wasp stings - for nearly all human beings - will dissipate into your body within about ten to twenty minutes. So maybe take a short break.

NOTHING more satisfying than dumping an entire can of HOTSHOT Wasp/Hornet killer spray onto the nest that spawned your attacker(s).

 

[barman]

I've learned to always walk the length of a hedgerow before trimming and smak it with a rake to stir up any possible wasp nests so it's unusual for me to get popped. Monday, it was a single starter nest down real low and I got lazy and didn't do my usual pregame check.

Also suggest that in hot months you walk around your house every few weeks and look up at the eaves and soffets because they like to set up there. Uusally those won't bother humans, but sometimes a loud weedeater or other machine might bug em and down comes one to eff with you.

Worst two pops I ever took were one in the eyebrow area (leaning down to trim a palm frond and the nest was underneath) and another time on the lip.

I've had the earlobe before too.

Every homeowner should have a couple cans of that HOTSHOT in the garage so you can carrry out an instant Death Penalty for any wasps that have the temerity to burn you.