Hornet

[The Poot]

Yesterday a queen European Hornet was spotted by Mrs. Poot, happily burrowing into the soft compost in a large tub on our patio.
It seems she had decided to make her initial nest in the tub. I could just see the end of her abdomen as she burrowed down in the soft soil.
Tickling with a small flower stem didn’t dissuade her.
So a quick soaking in water made her back out. She then spent a good ten minutes making herself presentable again and drying her wings. I assumed she would then fly off, but wrong! She immediately started to dig again in a different spot.
I had my trusty micro spade to hand and .......placed it gently in front of her and she dutifully climbed on.
We went for a walk to the end of the garden and I placed her on the river bank so she could dig to her heart‘s content.
I just hope I don’t come across too many of her offspring later in the Summer. I don’t like wasps, but I do like hornets.

 

[Karol]

More likely she was hunting in your tub rather than looking to nest. Crabro prefers nesting in trees especially old woodpecker burrows. Occasionally she'll nest in an out building.

 

[user 819]

Empty Owl boxes another they like as well.

 

[The Poot]

More likely she was hunting in your tub rather than looking to nest. Crabro prefers nesting in trees especially old woodpecker burrows. Occasionally she'll nest in an out building.

What would she be hunting for in a tub of compost? They will nest in the ground and I thought she was looking to build her starter nest as the compost was soft and easy to burrow in.

 

[Erichalfbee]

What would she be hunting for in a tub of compost? They will nest in the ground and I thought she was looking to build her starter nest as the compost was soft and easy to burrow in.

Maybe there was something sweet in there?

 

[The Poot]

Maybe there was something sweet in there?

I thought of that, but it just tasted of compost.....

 

[Erichalfbee]

I’ve never tasted compost. Did it taste of chicken?

 

[Brian Bush]

More likely she was hunting in your tub rather than looking to nest. Crabro prefers nesting in trees especially old woodpecker burrows. Occasionally she'll nest in an out building.

Add empty WBC to the list from personal experience

 

[Erichalfbee]

Add empty WBC to the list from personal experience

I’ve got one of those in the drive. I’d love hornets in there

 

[Brian Bush]

I’ve got one of those in the drive. I’d love hornets in there

You would not be as keen on a hot Sunday morning, sweat pouring down your face, glasses fallen into your hood, trying to collect a spare crown board and not having a clue they were there!!
It is quite a fright Dani!!!

 

[Erichalfbee]

Delivery people are forever trying to pul parcels in there. The lid is screwed down.

 

[Repwoc]

I’ve got one of those in the drive.

Snap. Well, the lifts anyway.