The are not very big but carry a powerful little punch. I don't know if it is true or not, but I have been told that they will bite and sting at the same time.
One time I was sitting on the back porch, I think talking to my brother. There was one of these at the storm door...buzzing it wanting in. About that time here came Bubbie cat and started messing with it. About the time I got up, he got stung...I opened the door and he flew in the house...ran through every room, back out the door and down the road towards the railroad!
It is funny now, but it was not funny then...I called for him, and think I even took a flashlight and went looking for him. No Bubbie. He did come back home...I don't remember if got back before I went to bed or if he was just here when I got up.
What a cool looking red bird! Bandit has been stung by a yellow jacket. Her face got swollen. :( I got stung in the lip. OMG! It hurt like heck!
ReplyDeleteThat is a scary story. But you are luckier than you think, because this is a European Paper Wasp. I know, because I snapped a close up of one years ago and I just compared it to this. Fortunately, they are not very aggressive like other wasps. I posted about it. Like you, I thought it was something else. When I got back in the car and showed Phil, he asked me if I was crazy!
ReplyDeletei hate all things that sting and run screaming from them. when i was 15 and standing on the back porch of our church, a wasp dropped down the back of my dress and stung me numerous times until mother got me in a sunday school room, peeled my dress off and beat him off me. from that time forward winged stinging critters make me crazy and one in the house makes me leave the house until hubby kills it
ReplyDeleteI don't like anything that will sting and I get rid of anything that stings flying in my home..asap!
ReplyDeleteLove your cardinal. I have never seen one here in California. We mostly have those raucous blue jays, which I dearly love in spite of their noise.
ReplyDeleteStings are no good!
ReplyDeleteThose bee stings can cause a lot of misery!
ReplyDeleteWe love Cardinals also--and they will come to the deck CHIPPING up a storm when they are hungry.... I try to have something out there for them.. They are the first in the morning and the last at nights to visit.
ReplyDeletePoor Bubbie... Bet he didn't mess with a Yellow Jacket again... Yipes.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy
Wasps do have an awful sting! I remember getting stung as a child. Really hurt. Unlike bees, I think they can sting over and over. Poor kitty....bet he was confused as well as hurt.
ReplyDeleteI HATE yellow jackets. They sting for no good reason, and you're right that their sting HURTS!
ReplyDelete