Re: Conundrum

**T* C* v* g* <g*@lists.ibiblio.org>**

Duane,
Fear and trembling!! I'm not sure where you live, but here in Upstate NY, we're are seeing wasps and yellowjackets this summer that ever before, and I wonder why. A squadron attacked us on our back deck one evening, leaving four wounded. Quick action with ice packs helped a bit. Immediate action with baking-soda paste has also proven effective in reducing piercing pain and swelling at the site of the bites/stings.

I saw Peter's comment about water, but, heavens, we are dry for weeks of late!

I have discovered a weapon, however: the Rainbow vacuum cleaner, the model that sucks stuff (dirt and debris, and little vicious flying insects, alive or dead) into a swirling reservoir base of water. Had to outfit myself in heavy clothing to wield it. You can imagine the language on my foes I used during this operation.

But seriously, folks, Peter or others: tell us more about their habits, any predators, any Achilles heel, any other effective battle tactics?

---Terrified Teri

PS I am flat-out afraid to approach my compost pile, even if armed with aforementioned Rainbow vac.

Teri Dunn Chace
      Writer * Editor * Consultant * Speaker
      537 Garden St.
        Little Falls, NY 13365
        315-866-6480 
        978-317-2357 cell
        http://terichacewriter.com/
        terichace@aol.com
        LinkedIn          profile 
        JUST PUBLISHED! Seeing Seeds: A Journey into the World of Seedheads, Pods, and Fruit

-----Original Message-----
From: Duane Campbell <dcamp911@gmail.com>
To: GWL <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Sat, Sep 5, 2015 6:54 pm
Subject: [GWL] Conundrum

Itâs hard to imagine getting tired of Miss Kim lilac, but this one had taken
over a rather large garden area. This spring I ripped most of it out, potting up
ten one and two gallon containers to give to friends and for my annual two hour
plant sale. (Two bucks and I couldnât sell them all; I live among Philistines.)
The intent was to create a new planting quickly, not wait until weeds covered
the entire plot four feet tall, but it was a cold, miserable spring. So I have
finally gotten to it.  Since this area had been planted with shrubs and
perennials for a couple of decades or more, little had been done to improve the
soil. Fortunately I had two 3X3X3 foot (originally) compost piles ready to
harvest. Simple. Deconstruct the compost piles, spread several inches on the
plot, dig it in, and put in plants that had been waiting patiently for a few
months.

Not simple. (The motto on my personal crest is  Nil umquam facile est.)
The compost has become the happy home of wasps, German yellowjackets perhaps,
but though I speak German they donât answer), who are claiming birthright
citizenship in my compost. These are not common stinging insects that create a
quick burning sensation, you run in and grab the anti-sting stick (I did that),
and after a couple of hours it goes away. No, these are super stingers. My first
meeting provided several stings that left me in agony for two days. I have
literally never felt such pain. Iâd rather have my gall bladder out again.
Seriously. It took a week for the effects to completely fade.

Much to the
distress of my daughter who is quasi-organic, I powdered the whole compost pile
with Sevin dust, like an April snowfall, threw a tarp over it, and waited for
three days. Then I dressed in the August heat as if it were January, removed the
tarp, and swung a pick into the middle of the pile. I have done a lot of stupid
things in my life, but this is certainly in the top ten list. Fortunately there
was little skin exposed and I had been educated by prior experience to run as if
I were not superannuated.

So here, finally, is my question. How do I get these
bastards out of my compost? The barren plot out front awaits your wisdom.

Duane Campbell
Syndicated garden columnist
Author: Best of Green Space; 30
Years of Composted
Columns

_______________________________________________
gardenwriters mailing
list
gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/gardenwriters

_______________________________________________
gardenwriters mailing list
gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/gardenwriters