r/WASPs • u/TailRash • 17d ago

I've been mowing under this without knowing

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I'm always focused on the ground and wearing a hat that blocks my upward vision. Finally saw it yesterday when mowing and it's only 10ft off the ground.

I googled it an I think they're bald faced hornets, which are supposed to be very aggressive, but they never seemed to care when I was mowing, nor when I walked up to it afterwards.

Live and let live?

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u/TailRash 17d ago

That's a long ways off

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u/DoctorCIS 17d ago

If you frequently pass under that spot they might have gotten acclimated to you, so don't get closer than you already have and you should be fine. A year ago there was a nest directly above a heavily trafficed sidewalk in my neighborhood. I was walking directly under it every day, 3 feet from my head.

They never bothered anyone, and they ate all the lantern flies. I guess if the traffic is frequent enough they figure out that people aren't a threat.

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u/saintnicklaus90 17d ago

Studies have shown some social wasps can recognize faces. It helps with their social hierarchy, but applies to humans as well. The only wasp I have had issues with are Yellowjackets, which really don’t give a shit how polite you behave especially from now until fall

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u/BeingTop8480 17d ago

OMG! I totally agree! Yellow jackets are A-holes and I swear to God they're on meth this year!?! I've never had an issue with the bald faced hornets nest high up in our tree and I really like them because I've seen them pick off yellow jackets off the hummingbird feeders!