General Discussion Thread

[Ana Nymus]

I find hornets easier to deal with than wasps actually; they're generally less agressive and their movements aren't as erratic. I often manage to "guide" them outside when they wind up inside (they're generally only looking for the exit once they realise they're in a human dwelling).

Agreed! My mom got stung quite a lot last week when she stumbled across a yellowjacket wasp nest gardening, and a few years ago we had a bald-faced hornet nest (which is a type of wasp despite the name) in a bush in the front yard, whose members were so aggressive that we had no choice but to destroy the nest. The current yellowjacket nest is far enough from the house that we can leave it be.

[Vafhudr]

We have some lovely scorpions here - not as large or as venomous as I have seen out in the desert, but very pretty black or silver-grey ones.

I kept some in a terrarium for awhile, but they made my husband nervous so I released them into the garden.

I hope your husband doesn't garden.

[Athena]

I hope your husband doesn't garden.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking! Be a nasty surprise...

On a different topic, I watched the new Star Trek movie yesterday, and it was AWESOME!!!

[Róisín]

No, that's why they went in the garden. He doesn't garden, and being partially disabled, he rarely goes in the garden at all. That's my domain.

[JoB]

Ah, hornets.  As with all wasps, they're little balls of hatred with wings.

Well, with the obvious exception of Japan(ese Giant Hornets).

[Juniper]

Well, with the obvious exception of Japan(ese Giant Hornets).

To be perfectly honest I wouldn't even know what to do if I came across one of those things. Maybe just calmly try to leave the area so as not to draw attention to myself and hope it doesn't head in the same direction as me.

[urbicande]

Well, with the obvious exception of Japan(ese Giant Hornets).

Nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

[Tr]

Well, with the obvious exception of Japan(ese Giant Hornets).

NOPE.

[Lazy8]

Well, with the obvious exception of Japan(ese Giant Hornets).

KILL IT WITH FIRE!

[Ana Nymus]

Well, with the obvious exception of Japan(ese Giant Hornets).

Nnnnnnnnope, nope nope!

(Also apparently these guys have a really painful sting, too. Just to add to the fun! [/sarcasm])

[Tr]

(Also apparently these guys have a really painful sting, too. Just to add to the fun! [/sarcasm])

And they can kill you! So much fun.
("Asian giant hornet stings can cause anaphylactic shock in allergic people but can still be lethal to people who are not allergic, provided the dose is sufficient.")
We might have to borrow Emil's flamethrower. Just in case.

[Kelpie]

And they can kill you! So much fun.
("Asian giant hornet stings can cause anaphylactic shock in allergic people but can still be lethal to people who are not allergic, provided the dose is sufficient.")
We might have to borrow Emil's flamethrower. Just in case.

And if what I read is to be believed their venom can dissolve human flesh. So uh, flamethrower is a little too close for comfort for me. I think I agree with urbicande on the nuking from orbit, though I may be biased since I may or may not be allergic to wasps, no one is really sure.

[Lazy8]

Not quite nuking from orbit, but go honeybees!

[Iceea]

Well, with the obvious exception of Japan(ese Giant Hornets).

just read the Wikipedia article, YIKES! Those things are nasty. I'll move urbicande's suggestion of nuke from orbit.

[Tr]

Not quite nuking from orbit, but go honeybees!

Honeybees are awesome.