Anyone been stung by a paper wasp? (house, pool)

[DetroitN8V]

I have what seems like a constant stream of these things coming to drink out of my pool. They seem to mind their own business but are always around. I was wondering if they are a threat at all. If we just leave them alone, will they return the favor?

They are these yellow wasps:

[BIG CATS]

I got nailed on the ring finger last summer reaching for a ball that my son and I were tossing back and forth in the pool. Hurts like a motherfunker. I just looked on the bright side... at least it wasnt a sting from the tarantula hawk wasp. They reportedly have the 2nd worst sting in the entire world. When I see those, I keep a HUGE distance.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

I got nailed on the ring finger last summer reaching for a ball that my son and I were tossing back and forth in the pool. Hurts like a motherfunker. I just looked on the bright side... at least it wasnt a sting from the tarantula hawk wasp. They reportedly have the 2nd worst sting in the entire world. When I see those, I keep a HUGE distance.

Yeah those giant black bombers are terrifying! I guess these yellow wasps do sting. Maybe only if touched?

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

Yeah those giant black bombers are terrifying! I guess these yellow wasps do sting. Maybe only if touched?

Look up the Schmidt Sting Pain Index... the pepsid wasp (aka Tarantula Hawk Wasp) is number 2 on the list, behind the notorious bullet ants.

Yes, the wasp in your photo (sweet macro shot, btw) do sting, seemingly unprovoked. It might have been on the ball itself when I reached for it, but I doubt it, seeing as the ball had literally landed beside me and I just grabbed it. Either that or it was drinking and the ball landed directly on it, which upset it? I dunno. Either way it hurt like a SOB.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

Look up the Schmidt Sting Pain Index... the pepsid wasp (aka Tarantula Hawk Wasp) is number 2 on the list, behind the notorious bullet ants.

Yes, the wasp in your photo (sweet macro shot, btw) do sting, seemingly unprovoked. It might have been on the ball itself when I reached for it, but I doubt it, seeing as the ball had literally landed beside me and I just grabbed it. Either that or it was drinking and the ball landed directly on it, which upset it? I dunno. Either way it hurt like a SOB.

Damn. Not what I had hoped to hear. I have at least two in my pool at almost all times. Know of any way to keep them out?

Cool pic, right? Not mine though. I hijacked it from the interwebs.

[asufan]

When I was a kid I was sitting on a raft in the pool and put my arm down on the raft and one of those things was there. It just felt like heat, like if you put your hand on the steering wheel after your car is in the sun for an hour. Not any worse than a bee sting IMO.

[AZJoeD]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

Damn. Not what I had hoped to hear. I have at least two in my pool at almost all times. Know of any way to keep them out?

Cool pic, right? Not mine though. I hijacked it from the interwebs.

Look around your house and perhaps your neighbors house for a nest. If you have that many, a nest is sure to be nearby.

[lewdog_5]

I always thought they were Mud Daubers but I think don't think they are after googling it. Anyone know what they are?

I have one that comes in my pool quite frequently. He will fly right by me or try to land on me sometimes while I am on the raft. I am always afraid of not spotting him and putting my hand right on him. I watch where he goes and it seems he gets a drink and then flies to a tall palm tree nearby. I don't see a nest and I only ever have one at a time in the pool. I have never seen more than one flying when I am outside either, which seems odd?

[pbenjamin]

We have had them cooling themselves in the pool for years until this year. Now we have honeybees hanging around. They are much more aggressive and seem to have chased the wasps away.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

We have had them cooling themselves in the pool for years until this year. Now we have honeybees hanging around. They are much more aggressive and seem to have chased the wasps away.

It is for this reason I don't have flowers or flowery plants such as lantana near the pool. I have vines along the back wall and boxwoods and pigmy date palms as well as potted ficus trees. All give a lush look without attracting bees. I do have some lantana in the rear yard, however it is 15 feet +/- away which seems to be far enough.