I chose from the list of words provided this week and went with apple bee. After some research, I found it was a wasp. It is like our very active ground wasps that have earned the name meat bee here. They enjoy apples but also any meat. They make eating outside impossible and football BBQs a challenge. I have talked about them before in a previous post.
They are at the doors. The moment I step outside, they are already bumping against me in a warning I take seriously. This has been the worst year I can remember. Their attacks usually increase this time of year before their ground hives die down, leaving a queen and some workers for next spring. Many people I’ve talked to have been stung, that includes me. It isn’t just one sting, but several at once. Not sure what made it such a terrible year for them, but it sure is.
I knew nothing about this. Yikes–and yikes!
They are definitely a yikes this year, Jacqui!
Oh yes! I’ve seen them at outdoor gatherings! They hover around meat dishes. It’s nice that they’ve inspired this lovely tanka. 😊
They were pests when we camped, but now they are in atrack mode. They do love meat, that is for sure. Thanks, Balroop 🙂
Well, I got stung while at a church picnic one year. Better to play it safe!
Sorry they got you too, Annette! Yes, I can wait them out.
I’m so sorry you’re dealing with wasps! Hornets, yellow jackets, velvet wasps, and Africanized bees terrify me. I hope the temp in your area drops soon!
Thanks, Vera 🙂 they terrify me too. I don’t mind honey bees or bumble bees but the rest I avoid. Fingers crossed with temps.
Oh yikes. I guess they get worked up this time of year, like they’re last hurrah. I hope you’re ok from the bee stings. Darn wasp/bees! Your tanka is spot on! Thanks so much, Denise. 🧡
Yes, they usually are bothersome now, but this year, they have tiny chips on their shoulders. I am fine now, but it was swollen and itchy for a couple of weeks. Thanks, Colleen 🙂
Thank goodness you’re okay! 🧡
It’s awful to be afraid to go outside for fear of being attacked by biting insects!
It is, Liz! I never worried about it before.
You’ve put your bio in beautiful verse.
Here’s hoping for a 32 degree night soon.
Hugs
Thanks, Sandra 🙂 Fingers crossed…xo
I’ve been grazed by a wasp once, and it wasn’t fun. I can’t imagine multiple stings. Great tanka, Denise!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
No, it isn’t fun. Unlike honey bees, these guys have an attitude. Thanks, Yvette 🙂
Eesh! It sounds like you are inundated, Denise. I am super sensitive to stings, so I’d be worried about stepping outside. Here’s hoping “falls welcome chill” arrives soon for you.
Nice poem!
I only go outside to get to the car. I run to bring groceries in! I hate they are keeping me inside, but My stings lasted for two weeks. Thanks, Mae
That’s frightening!!!
Wow, Denise! We’ve been harassed by hornets at picnics, but they didn’t sting people, just buzzed us constantly trying to get to the food. Keep a flyswatter handy, I guess, or stay inside until they hibernate.
Usually, you can swat them away, but not this year! We have an electric swatter we got at Christmas. They are faster than me. . Lol
I heard if you leave beer offerings outside, they’ll find their way into the bottles but won’t get out. Hopefully, they won’t be so bad next year. Cute poem!
We put bottles out with meat. It catches them but not enough. Have to try beer.
Oh no, Denise. That’s awful. We dealt with wasps at our old house. My husband went around the house, and tried to find their hiding place to get rid of them.
By the way, I scheduled a review of your poetry at 2:00 pm today. I was running around all day and it’s live right now. I submitted it to Amazon but it hasn’t posted there yet. Sometimes it takes 2 minutes and sometimes takes 2 days. 😊
We haven’t figured out where they are yet. I would be happy to have the nest removed.
Thank you for the beautiful review and post, Miriam 🙂 It definitely made my day. Hugs. Xo
You’re welcome, Denise! Your latest book is the best yet! 😍
🙂 Thanks, Miriam xo
You’re welcome, Denise. 😍
OMG, that would be a nightmare for me. I hope they leave you alone soon, Denise. Gret poem. Hugs 🤗💕😊
Thanks, Harmony! Yes, I hope for that too 🙂 hugs xo
You know, I think you could turn those meat bees into a good, scary short story……
scoxoxox
Most definitely! They are scary little creatures and if someone was allergic and another person knew it…lol xoxo
They do seem to get very riled up at this time of year. Thank goodness when the freeze comes.
They really do, Lisa 🙂 Very glad for the upcoming freeze!
Yikes, Denise, that’s awful to have them waiting outside and to be stung! Your tanka is excellent though. It’s amazing where we can draw inspiration. 🙂 Stay safe! 🩷
Thanks, Lauren 🙂 I hate not being able to go outside, but will enjoy it sllrhe more when they disappear.
We had our community barbeque on Sept. 30. The bees were in larger attendance than the community members! 🙁 Your poem spoke volumes!
I feel for you, Marsha. They can be huge pests at picnics!
One older woman approached me and asked if I had an epi pen. I did not, but told her I would go back to her house if she wanted me to.
“I don’t have one,” she said. “If no one has one, then just call 911, otherwise I’ll die.”
I was a bit flabbergasted. I did find someone who had a pen on her, but fortunately no one needed it! 🙂
I’m glad no one needed an epi pen, but if I needed one, I’d always have it with me. She was lucky you were there to help.
That’s what I thought, too. 🙂
I feel your pain! Great tanka – I don’t get many wasps here, maybe already too cold thankfully as I am one of those people that screams and runs about and would probably have a whole swarm after me ….. 🥴
Thanks, Suzanne 🙂 I tend to run too, which I know makes them madder, but a natural reaction on my part, too 🙂
Could easily visualize their menace – very well penned!
Thank you, Dahlia 🙂
These wasps are dangerous. Last year they built a nest right next to my kitchen window. And precisely around this time when the season was turning they flooded to my screen. Walking over each other as if fighting. It was the weirdest sight. I’d never seen that before. This year, they didn’t come. Perhaps at someone else’s window.
Your poem is splendid. Thanks.
And please beware of these mobsters. Blessings.
They can be very dangerous, Selma. That is very strange that they were all on your screen and looked like they were fighting. That is stuff nightmares are made of. I am glad they didn’t return. I hope the same for us next year. Blessings xo
Lots of bees here too! Impossible to enjoy a meal outdoors. You captured it well on your poem.
Sorry you are dealing with them, too. They are disruptive to our outdoor enjoyments.
I’ve never heard of these, but they sound terrifying, Denise. I’d also stay inside.
They are on the terrifying side, Teri. Although its safe to go out into the dark.
I still have the remains of a wasp sting from 40 years ago, acquired at the local fruit stand…they are nasty.
Oh wow! I’m sorry to hear that. Yes, very nasty!
I’m deathly allergic to bee stings… Even after your bad experience you were able to write something lovely. Well done, Denise. Hugs.
Sorry to hear of your allergy. My mom had the same issue. Lived with them for 33 years, I offered water to kerp on their good side, but this year, something changed. Thanks, Teagan. Hugs xo
Hope you’re having a great reading/writing Thursday:)
scoxoxo
Thank you, I hope you had the same! Xo
Oh gosh, your story and poem bring back memories of when I was a child. I hope all is well now. ❤️
They can be bothersome, can’t they, Gwen. Yes, staying safely inside.
A wonderfully written poem for those aggressive little creatures, Robbie. Our wasps are rather tame and don’t sting unless you step on them or swat them. The meat bees sound awful. I hope they don’t get worse over your summer. Hugs.
LOL. Denise! Sorry. I probably just replied to Robbie using your name. Yeesh.
I knew what you meant, Diana. Lol
<3
Thanks, Diana 🙂 I’m glad you don’t have these bees in OR! They are little terrors but at least are dying down in the fall. We will have to find the nest and get it removed. Hugs
I wasn’t as worried about them when I thought they were in S. Africa! You aren’t that far away, Denise. I hope they die down soon.
Lol…
Hi Denise, you’ve mentioned these bees before. They sound most dreadful.
Yes, I have. You are so right they are dreadful but finally starting to die down.
🐝
Ouchee! <3
Yes, and they have an attitude 🙂 xo
Lol 🙂 xx
I read somewhere that wearing a necklace of cinnamin might keep mozzies away not sure about your Apple Bees. We’ve had Cicada Killers, a kind of ground wasp – they were bad last year not so much this year. We also had a Spotted Lantern Fly issue. I hope they don’t make it out your way as they love grape leaves!! I too look for 32F… While it has gotten down to the 40’s – not quite the 30’s yet.
Stay warm and safe!!
I’m ready to try anything to get rid of these pests. Cinnamon is worth a try. Glad they weren’t bad for you this year. I’m hoping this is just a rare event. Definitely don’t want Spotted Lantern Flies here with the grape crops. Fingers crossed that freeze comes soon for both of us, Jules.
Here’s to a nice autumn and perhaps an early frost? 😀
I can relate as we have the same issues here, Denise.
I can relate as we have the same issues here.
Sorry you are dealing with them too. At least the cold gets rid of them.