Loved the story! Very exciting summer for you guys! Just wanted to let you know plantain works great for wasp stings. If you have any growing around chew up a leaf and stick it on the bite.
I don't know how I missed this post, other than Fall 2023 was stupid busy. Thank you for the shout-out! And for keeping us all updated on "your" bear's adventures, the stinker! Yellow jacket stings do "hurt like the Dickens" and while I'm no longer frightened of them, I still don't like them much. I especially am not fond of wasps during their late summer aggressive phase, when they're more likely to sting & they try to rob our beehives.
Oh Susan, thank you for the mention! 💕 I simply love reading your homesteading adventures. We have similar issues here. About 3 feet from the main door we use, a gang of wasps started building a massive nest. I don’t know how we didn’t see it. Thankfully, the day we noticed it, there was a massive thunderstorm so I stood on the porch in a big winter coat (my wasp protection) and knocked it down in the pouring rain, dropped the pole and made a run for it just in case there were any wasps who were feeling particularly irate.
Then, just today, my daring little three-year-old who screams if a fly even comes near her, came strolling up to me saying “Look! Look! Look!” Upon inspection, she had a wasp by the wing. I figured it was dead, but told her to promptly drop it. When she did, the wasp started walking! Thank heavens it didn’t sting her. It’s the only time I’ve ever thought a wasp may have been inspired by God instead of Satan himself.
Yellow jackets, or ground bees as we call them, are the worst!!! My 5-year-old stumbled into a nest earlier in the year and got at least 6 stings. His older sister was with him and rushed him inside, though she was terrified that he was dying. Thankfully, he is not allergic to bees, but it sure was scary. We keep a glass cake stand topper handy to put over the nest entrance when we find one. The brave souls around here like to watch the angry bees flying around underneath. Kind of morbid I guess, but we’ll call it science.
It's been quite a season for wasps. We had to move a lot of BBQ dinners inside this year. I know so many people who had their first sting in years (or ever!) Luckily Megs has been spared a sting even though the wasps at the farm have been a huge problem. Big bee year too. Including so many on the water.
What a story! Your entire property run-over by bees, wasps, and yellow jackets. This helps explain why many orchards are placed away from the house. That's a lot of work for you with knocking down trees and transplanting that garden. I think I'm with your neighbor who killed the wasps and various other pests. At least when you're trying to enjoy harvesting your fruit. Let the wasps enjoy the summer, then Kabam! Goodbye! Sayronara! Until next years! I think the creature world does need thinning and harvesting like any crop. Talk to the Australians about what happened when feral rabbits took over large parts of the South Australian state, especially locations that are semi-desert. End of crop life.
Sounds more exciting than it felt at the time, great story telling. I was a Yellowjacket fighter from way back, at age 9 and 10. I don’t seem to get too bad a reaction and I mostly give them a wide berth so I seldom get stung. Anyway, we do have our fun on the homestead.
Ah, the tent population! That must be defeated. But that's another story, isn't it? Homesteading is not for sissies. But you two are intrepid gardeners, and a model for all gardeners to follow.
I especially loved the bee story (not wasps) as I am hoping that next year to plant cosmos and maybe another plant you recommended. I need easy at this point
I saw the ravages of the rabbits, which were massive jack hares that dug out huge pieces of land, leaving not a crumb of grass, shrub or tree. I guess they eventually starved themselves.
Loved the story! Very exciting summer for you guys! Just wanted to let you know plantain works great for wasp stings. If you have any growing around chew up a leaf and stick it on the bite.
Also, the next season of All Creatures Great & Small started this past Sunday on PBS, in case you're able to access the channel or replays.
I don't know how I missed this post, other than Fall 2023 was stupid busy. Thank you for the shout-out! And for keeping us all updated on "your" bear's adventures, the stinker! Yellow jacket stings do "hurt like the Dickens" and while I'm no longer frightened of them, I still don't like them much. I especially am not fond of wasps during their late summer aggressive phase, when they're more likely to sting & they try to rob our beehives.
Oh Susan, thank you for the mention! 💕 I simply love reading your homesteading adventures. We have similar issues here. About 3 feet from the main door we use, a gang of wasps started building a massive nest. I don’t know how we didn’t see it. Thankfully, the day we noticed it, there was a massive thunderstorm so I stood on the porch in a big winter coat (my wasp protection) and knocked it down in the pouring rain, dropped the pole and made a run for it just in case there were any wasps who were feeling particularly irate.
Then, just today, my daring little three-year-old who screams if a fly even comes near her, came strolling up to me saying “Look! Look! Look!” Upon inspection, she had a wasp by the wing. I figured it was dead, but told her to promptly drop it. When she did, the wasp started walking! Thank heavens it didn’t sting her. It’s the only time I’ve ever thought a wasp may have been inspired by God instead of Satan himself.
Yellow jackets, or ground bees as we call them, are the worst!!! My 5-year-old stumbled into a nest earlier in the year and got at least 6 stings. His older sister was with him and rushed him inside, though she was terrified that he was dying. Thankfully, he is not allergic to bees, but it sure was scary. We keep a glass cake stand topper handy to put over the nest entrance when we find one. The brave souls around here like to watch the angry bees flying around underneath. Kind of morbid I guess, but we’ll call it science.
It's been quite a season for wasps. We had to move a lot of BBQ dinners inside this year. I know so many people who had their first sting in years (or ever!) Luckily Megs has been spared a sting even though the wasps at the farm have been a huge problem. Big bee year too. Including so many on the water.
What a story! Your entire property run-over by bees, wasps, and yellow jackets. This helps explain why many orchards are placed away from the house. That's a lot of work for you with knocking down trees and transplanting that garden. I think I'm with your neighbor who killed the wasps and various other pests. At least when you're trying to enjoy harvesting your fruit. Let the wasps enjoy the summer, then Kabam! Goodbye! Sayronara! Until next years! I think the creature world does need thinning and harvesting like any crop. Talk to the Australians about what happened when feral rabbits took over large parts of the South Australian state, especially locations that are semi-desert. End of crop life.
That must have been rewarding, to see your bees and know they’re doing well and are healthy so far this winter!
I’m so ready! I get teary with each episode already, and I’ve turned my husband into a huge fan too!
Sounds more exciting than it felt at the time, great story telling. I was a Yellowjacket fighter from way back, at age 9 and 10. I don’t seem to get too bad a reaction and I mostly give them a wide berth so I seldom get stung. Anyway, we do have our fun on the homestead.
Ah, the tent population! That must be defeated. But that's another story, isn't it? Homesteading is not for sissies. But you two are intrepid gardeners, and a model for all gardeners to follow.
I especially loved the bee story (not wasps) as I am hoping that next year to plant cosmos and maybe another plant you recommended. I need easy at this point
I saw the ravages of the rabbits, which were massive jack hares that dug out huge pieces of land, leaving not a crumb of grass, shrub or tree. I guess they eventually starved themselves.