# Am I a Monster?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-monster/311191>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [July 5, 2005, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-monster/311191 "2005-07-05T20:58:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-monster/311191/61 "2005-07-07T20:08:46Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> Beekeeping is difficult enough with natural predators.

I was not aware that many wasps predated on bees. (I know that yellow jackets do, but I did not think it was a trait of the genus.)

Our vicary used to simply hum with bees for 16 hours of daylight for two weeks each June. I have only seen a single honey bee (last fall) in the last four years. I don’t deliberately destroy _anything_ that might engage in pollination.

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**Author:** ![Trafalgar\_Laura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trafalgar_laura/32/2907_2.png) [@Trafalgar\_Laura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trafalgar_Laura)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-monster/311191/62 "2005-07-07T20:32:25Z")

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> [@tomndebb](#):
>
> In the window, right?
> 
> Do you have a screen?
> 
> Is the nest outside the screen?
> 
> If the nest is outside the screen and the window is away from any human or pet activity, leave them alone and enjoy watching them through the summer, then knock down the nest they have abandoned next winter. (You can even cut it open with a butcher knife to see how it looks on the inside.)
> 
> If there is no screen or they are building where they will interfere with the passage of humans or pets, wait until after dark, preferably on a cool evening, then spray wasp spray (that is expelled in a thin jet for a distance of 10 or more feet) into the nest until they have all stopped moving.
> 
> I am not in favor of killing the little critters, but I will do so if it is _necessary_ to protect mammalian critters.

!. Yes, there is a screen on my window, but I have doubts about its ability to keep out wasps determined to get at my tender mammalian hide. I’ve seen flying bugs in my house before. They must know how to get around the screen barrier.

1. The window is not near a place we use often, except when mowing the grass or trimming the hedge. But the wasps fly, and could be lurking just outside any door on my house without me knowing until I step out into their evil ambush of stinging.

2. Winter, huh. Our winter temperatures average in the 50s. Think that will kill them?

On the other hand, their little nest is cleverly designed and they seem so attentive and hard-working. I would root for their success if they weren’t invading MY window.

My cats have also noticed the industrious little critters and Nanami (my Siamese) will sit on the monitor and watch them for hours. Of course. I think she sees them as potential snacks.

Wasp spray will work from 10 feet away? I’m not sure 10 feet is far enough. I’m leaning toward the nuke 'em from space suggestion.

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