[Anne Elk]

^^^CJ - some wasps/hornets nest in the ground, maybe they used the folds in your tarps as a close enough facsimile. But maybe check out that loft for a paper nest somewhere, too. I got used to being stung when I kept bees, but a wasp or hornet sting is probably nastier. Ouch!

[Brian Curtis]

We kept bees for a few years. Wasp stings are nastier. In the end I became very disillusioned with keeping non-native honeybees, and not just because I never really could overcome my instinct, honed over many decades of hiking, to run like hell when encountering a wasp nest. Early in the year the honeybees were mainly bringing in pollen from Scotch broom and late in the year from Japanese knotweed. In the meantime it was native bumblebees that were doing the majority of the pollination of the berries in our garden. Bumblebees were doing all the pollination of our native plants while the honeybees were generally attracted to non-native plants like rosemary. I’d rather leave what resources we have available for native bees.

[Chief Joseph]

Well, the swelling and itching are pretty much gone, the itching is worse than the pain. So the nest (tarp) is still laying in my carport so trying to figure out the best course of action. I really don't like using poison, my Mom had a bunch of weed killer, I won't use that either so got rid of all that. I heard that spraying soapy water on them will also kill them. Another idea I had was to back my car up to the carport door where the next is and the car's exhaust might get cause them to evacuate. I have heard that smoke will slow them down, make them sluggish, so I could then pull the tarp out and unroll it hence destroying their "nest"....of course I would do this at night while wearing protective clothing. I noticed that a trash can lid came off behind the carport creating a water source, which is rare here given the dry conditions so that might have attracted them...as I mentioned never really seen any here before or had a problem.

[Chief Joseph]

Maybe I will just take the tarp-nest and put it in the across the creek or in the dry creek, or out next to the road with some free items I have out there? Thanks for all the helpful comments.

[BigBrunyon]

Couple bees got me coming out from under that log!!!! They emerged form the log!!!!!!! I was coming down in the vicinty of the log!!! Suddenly bees emerged out!!!!! Couple bees got me coming out from under that log!!!

[Chief Joseph]

Going up the Marten creek trail, stopped for a second...of course right next to a mud wasp nest...one hit my finger but no reaction....dodged that bullet. Then we came home and I had my son go move the tarp-nest out of the picnic area. He did so and didn't notice any hornets emerging from said nest. So a few minutes late I was out at the grill cooking steak and he was suddenly stung on the ear by a rogue hornet.... it was like it hunted him down. I was out at the grill cooking with full gear on, head net, gloves, etc...steak turned out great though.

[Sculpin]

[Chief Joseph]

Wicked and territorial little devils they are. I wanted to use a water hose with a soap attachment to eradicate them but our well is still dry. So my options are to wait or get some spray. While I was grilling last night one was buzzing around the florescent light fixture so I sprayed it with some cheap dollar store bug killer, it fell to the ground and I stomped it...one down.