Just before we returned to Brighton 6 weeks ago, the Apples, Grapes, and Figs (in France) were all ripe, and the trees were groaning. Perfect for the annual invasion of Hornets.
I always leave a few traps around. Simple large jars with a 1.5 cm round hole in the lid, and plenty of Beer, Jam, and Sugar inside to attract them.
The Hornets can't resist, and the traps become filled with them. There must be 100 at least inside this jar.
Our usual native European Hornets are nasty little beasts, and they have recently been joined by even nastier Asian Hornets who have arrived from Spain. A couple of stings and it's 'Goodnight Vienna'. Luckily I have never been stung by one, but at the same time I've never been afraid of them. Some people run a mile as soon as they see one!
These days, as soon as the Grapes, on the front of the house, start to turn colour, I take them all off and put them on the compost. There are two small-ish Fig trees reasonably close to the house, and they are both pruned back very hard in advance, so no fruit to attract the Hornets. We also have several other Fig trees that are far too big to prune, but they are further away, and cause no problem.
Kimbo is at the house for a short while and sent me the above photo. He has confirmed that we haven't been burgled, everything is in its place, and even our new satellite internet dish is still on the roof; and working. Tout va bien!
He assures me that he's not on holiday; but WORKING.
Working from (Dad's) home!
ReplyDeleteI suppose that once the hornets get inside the jar they can't get back out through the hole?
No, they're trapped. It's great for Wasps too (if you have them). A slightly smaller (1 cm) hole maybe.
DeleteOh those poor little hornets! How could you be so cruel? You beast!
ReplyDeleteWe tried to revive them but they just shouted "No, No, Let us die"!
DeleteGod does not let mass murderers enter paradise so yesterday's post will remain a mere pipe dream. SAVE THE HORNETS!
DeleteP.S. Watford F.C.'s nickname is The Hornets.
Are you sure that isn't 'The Whore-nets'?
DeleteThose simple traps work so well! We had a few wasps this year but thank goodness there were not many hornets.
ReplyDeleteI years past we have used traps like that too. Plastic water bottles with sugar water or beer.
You caught so many hornets. It's incredible they keep on crawling in there!
They can't resist. Also, I suppose they can see all their friends in there enjoying themselves!
DeleteA lot of dead bugs.
ReplyDeleteA LOT of dead bugs!
DeleteStrange you should mention hornets, we haven't seen many of the nasty stingy insects during the hot summer. Yesterday a hornet tried buzzing in through the closed window and we had a Praying Mantis climbing up behind it!
ReplyDeleteWe used to put jam round the inside lip of a jar full of water and caught dozens of pesky wasps.
Our Hornets arrived quite late this year. We didn't see a single one before September. I didn't see any Mantises or Stick Insects this year.
DeleteThe bees seem to be a bigger problem these days. In addition to the bumblebee (which is harmless and great for the garden), we have hornets, wasps and carpenter bees.
ReplyDeleteGround nests can be quite dangerous when you unknowingly step to close. Carpenter bees drill holes into wood on homes. I have Carpenter bee traps, and they fill like your traps shown in the photo.
We have Carpenter Bees in France. They are quite big and all black; I wonder if they're the same as yours? I've always rather liked them.
ReplyDelete