Large wasp ID please

[FionaH]

Last few nights we have had some really large wasp like creatures in the kitchen. They are about an inch and a half to two inches long Brown and yellow stripes and seem to only come out at night and are attracted to the light. Just had anotherone flying at the kitchen window trying to get in. Any ideas what they might be? MrH thinks it might be a european hornet

[Jeanied]

Looks like Mr H is right, Fi - hornets are less clearly banded yellow/ black than wasps - up to 4cm long. Scary.

[quark1]

I'd get it dope tested if I were you - looks like a serious case of anabolic steroid misuse!

Oh how I hate wasps!

[FionaH]

They are very scarey and we have had four this week! Don't open the windows after dark, which isn't funny if I am cooking. They don't seem very aggresive though thankfully. I would like to know where the nest is mind you!

[Nordmead]

think that could be the european hornet.

theyre attracted to lights at night and not very aggressive

Characteristics of common wasps and bees - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[FionaH]

Cheers guys, nice to know what they are at least

[Nicos]

Urmm...well...if it is- then they can be exeptionally nasty if disturbed. On no condition let it in your house.


One way of telling the difference between a wasp and hornet sound is the deepness of its buzz. Hornets have a very heavy , deep buzz.
We have them here..I've got a photo of one in a glass if Jeanie can help me post it????

[FionaH]

Hmmm three in the kitchen so far Nicos! Came across them while we were in France, scarey beggers!

Piccy would be good if you can

[roitelet]

Got a nest of them in a tree near the house for the third time. They are not agresseve if left alone and quite fascinating to watch. I have taken the nest out before, after they have gone, and the construction is very interesting. They build like high rise flats. A layer of cells then stalks supporting the next layer.

Pity, but I am going to have to close the hole this year. Stings from them can be very nasty.

[smallblueplanet]

Sound just like hornets - we had some buzzing around our lights (at night) last year. I saw one looking at our eaves this spring and managed to catch it making a nest in a bird box - I waited until it had gone out and sprayed the nest with the hose, it didn't return.

Anyway I googled for info and found to my surprise they are less aggressive than wasps. Maybe you'll have to learn to cook in the dark?

[FionaH]

Anyway I googled for info and found to my surprise they are less aggressive than wasps. Maybe you'll have to learn to cook in the dark?

Couldn't make some of it taste any worse SBP I just chucked some inedible pickled beets

[insy]

Im my eyes wasps have no purpose in this world there just annoying scavengers that pea me off to the tea, i make it my business doesnt matter where, what time or what im doing if i see one i kill it grrrrrrr i woke up one night and found at least 14 wasps hovering above me attacking my light and completely crapped myself

If i was you when they dissapear or when there about trying tracking where there flying from and go get a nice bit of petrol or flammable spray and terminate all the nasty creatures

[tiachica]

I always found that wasps are not aggressive, as long as you stay calm. Problem is if everyone around you panics, then they get irritated.

[LilyRose]

I've seen a couple like that recently --- someone said they were 'wood wasps'. I guess that could be local talk for 'great-big-hornet-that-lives-in-a-tree?'

[smallblueplanet]

@Insy - You obviously need to do some research then, and consider your view on what are part of the natural order - wasps eat all sorts of insects...

Martin Rapley - What good are wasps?