GWguy
*
Ah. this was one of those military drones that look look bugs, but are really surveillance flyers.
I Was Attacked by the Biggest Bee EVER
- Thread starter migtig
- Start date
Ah. this was one of those military drones that look look bugs, but are really surveillance flyers.
Radiant1
Soul Probe
Goldenhawk
Well-Known Member
I've found those big wood-boring hornets are actually rather benign, once you get over the shock factor. You can swat them with a broom and know you won't get chased if you miss. A gentle hit is usually enough to disorient them, then you can stomp on them to finish the job. I do have to fight them off from drilling nests into the underside of our handrails.
A few years back, we were getting swarmed with them around the front porch lights every night. Finally a neighbor spotted them going into a hole about 30 feet up a dead oak tree. Called the exterminator, and he sprayed the hole. Cut the tree down a few days later and found a soccer-ball-sized nest with the biggest hexagonal cells I've ever seen - I could nearly stick my pinky in them. After that, no more hornets.
Kinda like this, and almost this large (image found on Google, not our actual nest):
http://bit.ly/11Nbc0q
A few years back, we were getting swarmed with them around the front porch lights every night. Finally a neighbor spotted them going into a hole about 30 feet up a dead oak tree. Called the exterminator, and he sprayed the hole. Cut the tree down a few days later and found a soccer-ball-sized nest with the biggest hexagonal cells I've ever seen - I could nearly stick my pinky in them. After that, no more hornets.
Kinda like this, and almost this large (image found on Google, not our actual nest):
http://bit.ly/11Nbc0q
acommondisaster
Active Member
Blame that DoSomething guy. He probably chased 'em over from his place.
General Lee
Well-Known Member
Most likely a horse hornet (southern maryland slang term). Official name is the European hornet. Very attracted to light at night. If you have a nest nearby, you will have them buzzing around the porch light. And yes, DO NOT get stung by one.
migtig
aka Mrs. Giant
As I've stated before, it did not resemble a European Hornet image.
That's closeish.
But last night I found this in my image searches and I'm hoping that it is what I saw. It explains it's large size and the uncanny resemblance to the Asian Hornet.
Hornet Clearwing Moth - Sesia apiformis - BugGuide.Net
Much better than flesh eating venom Bee!
Attachments
DooDoo1402
The fear of Smell
I swear. It was a monster bee. And I had a book in my hand and swatted this thing several times - making contact, and it just shook it off and came back after me. I finally ran and hid in my house.
So I looked it up and I was right this sucker is a monster. Watch out for it. The website says if it stings you, its venom can dissolve your flesh!
It is NOT native to our area but has been seen by other folks in our area. Freak out now.
We get them on our back deck occasionally. I just swat them with the small tennis racket that I have for the carpenter bees. It makes going out to have a smoke more fun... Oh! and NEVER put them in your hand whether they are alive or dead... the venom will seep into your skin and could eventually cause blood curl and they'll have to amputate.... lol.
migtig
aka Mrs. Giant
ginwoman
Well-Known Member
We have huge things like that here in 7th and my husband who is a 7th D native calls them horse hornets. I've never had one actually come after me thank goodness.
afjess1989
Amount of F##Ks given, 0
Granpa is from WVA he calls em horse hornets too. He got stung back in 90s by one. Very nasty.
I've never seen them at night till last year. I was BBQing and I heard a really really loud buzzing which is not not normal for night time so I turned around and there it was huge summbitch it was like guarding the door. I ran around to the other side of house so I could get in.(I'm allergic to bees) I left the steaks on the grill.
afjess1989
Amount of F##Ks given, 0
No. They burned. Nice Delmonico steaks too.
ZARA
Registered User
We have these big ass bee/hornet things that fly around my house. They are fat, fuzzy, black and dark orangish color. They resemble a bumble bee but twice the size. I still have not been able to identify them. So far they don't seem to be aggressive but they send me running like quicksilver any time they come near.
afjess1989
Amount of F##Ks given, 0
Those are carpenter bees. Harmless
belvak
Happy Camper
Unless you're made of wood...
ZARA
Registered User
Or allergic! Nothing that stings is "harmless" in my book. I learned that the hard way in 2010. I keep epipens all over the house for quick and easy stabbing if necessary. (Hubs still threatens to stab me in the heart with one...lol Twisted bastage) I will continue running away like a smart lil' girl!
Thank you for identifying it. I HATE not knowing what something is. When I did a search everything I saw showed it to be smaller than a bumble bee and the ones around my house are NOT small!
nomoney
....
Or allergic! Nothing that stings is "harmless" in my book. I learned that the hard way in 2010. I keep epipens all over the house for quick and easy stabbing if necessary. (Hubs still threatens to stab me in the heart with one...lol Twisted bastage) I will continue running away like a smart lil' girl!
Thank you for identifying it. I HATE not knowing what something is. When I did a search everything I saw showed it to be smaller than a bumble bee and the ones around my house are NOT small!
The carpenter bees that sting , you rarely see. Only the females can sting and they're all in the "hole" already guarding her eggs. The ones that are out flying around and seem agressive are the males guarding the females. But they dont have stingers.