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Is this wasp nest?

  • 20-07-2019 12:39am
    #1
    GFish
    Registered Users Posts: 148 ✭✭


    I'm not a beekeeper so apologies for gatecrashing this forum.
    I found this in my shed.
    It's beautiful!

    I don't know what it is and I can't find a close image on Google - so where better to ask that here?

    I don't think it's a bee 'thing' - maybe a wasp 'thing'.

    Tried googling it by photo but can't find a match. So I came to where the beekeepers hangout.

    It's about the size of a cherry tomato. Beige colour; a centre hexagonal cell and six hexagonal cells attached; total 7 cells. Brand new now (mid July) and all cells are capped.

    Any info or pointers to where I should go?
    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    Force Carrier
    Closed Accounts Posts: 594 ✭✭✭Force Carrier


    A hornet nest?


  • #3
    Car99
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,530 ✭✭✭Car99


    It is a wasp nest but empty by the looks of it , normally it only has a small hole entrance at the bottom. The wasps make it by chewing wood and use the mixture to build the nest. Cool pieces of engineering.


  • #4
    victor8600
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,645 ✭✭✭victor8600


    It is a wasp nest. You can leave it until the autumn and remove then when all wasps are gone.


  • #5
    Boardnashea
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 864 ✭✭✭Boardnashea


    Yes, wasp and yes, cool engineering.
    Looks like this one is empty. Just cut it off with gently with a blade and keep it for show 'n' tell.
    I don't know the process but it seems to me that as the nest expands the shell around it is constantly getting rebuilt. The amount of work involved is amazing and can also get to a significant size. One in the attic of my house (before I moved in) looks like it was at least 60cms or more diameter.


  • #6
    coolclogher
    Registered Users Posts: 100 ✭✭coolclogher


    ea9a5548-3b20-413a-b690-fd36ccd8b4db.JPG

    Hi Folks,

    Found this yesterday in the attic, I assume its a wasp's nest. Is it safe to remove and how would one do it. Any help greatly appreciated.


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  • #7
    bpmurray
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,275 ✭✭✭bpmurray


    Yes, it's a wasp's nest. If you don't remove it, it will deter any wasp queens from setting up a new nest so it's actually best to leave it as it is. It certainly won't harm anything.

    If you really want to remove it, just cut it down - it's made from paper so it's really easy to remove.


  • #8
    coolclogher
    Registered Users Posts: 100 ✭✭coolclogher


    bpmurray wrote: »
    Yes, it's a wasp's nest. If you don't remove it, it will deter any wasp queens from setting up a new nest so it's actually best to leave it as it is. It certainly won't harm anything.

    If you really want to remove it, just cut it down - it's made from paper so it's really easy to remove.

    Many thanks Op are they generally that size, I thought it was very big?


  • #9
    bpmurray
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,275 ✭✭✭bpmurray


    coolclogher wrote: »
    Many thanks Op are they generally that size, I thought it was very big?

    That's reasonably large but they can be much, much bigger than that in a good year. Last summer started early (the queens were out & about in early March) and was quite warm so they thrived. They actually killed a bunch of my hives - huge clouds of the things constantly attacking them.


  • #10
    Effects
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,760 ✭✭✭Effects


    I've seen nests like that in attics that survive through winter. I'd be wary of touching it until you confirm it's empty.


  • #11
    coolclogher
    Registered Users Posts: 100 ✭✭coolclogher


    Effects wrote: »
    I've seen nests like that in attics that survive through winter. I'd be wary of touching it until you confirm it's empty.

    How would I confirm its empty?


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  • #12
    Seth Brundle
    Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 40,344 Mod ✭✭✭✭Seth Brundle


    Use a very long stick :D


  • #13
    Mech1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,116 ✭✭✭Mech1


    Ever hear of a 10ft Barge Pole?

    You can confirm the old saying.


  • #14
    Effects
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,760 ✭✭✭Effects


    coolclogher wrote: »
    How would I confirm its empty?

    As above, knock it with a stick from a distance. Have your retreat route planned.


  • #15
    bpmurray
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,275 ✭✭✭bpmurray


    Effects wrote: »
    I've seen nests like that in attics that survive through winter. I'd be wary of touching it until you confirm it's empty.

    That's rather exceptional. The workers and drones die off in late autumn/early winter and only the queen survives, hibernating in crevices. If you really have encountered a live nest after winter sets in, that's really important scientific information and should be shared with those doing research in that area.


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