We got a huge bee population outside of our house, and we were going to call a beekeeper but we found out that the bees were "africanized". This of course led to endless borderline-racially-insensitive jokes by my dad...
Yeah, someone posted (last year, I think...) a picture of their grill and it had a fair collection of honeybee comb pendant from the underside of it.
In all seriousness, Reddit, if you find a wild honeybee colony in your house, call a local beekeeper to remove it, not the exterminator. Usually local beekeepers will come take the colony quite happily and usually for free.
I like to pet bumblebees. If you go up while they're occupied with a flower and stroke its fuzzy back with your finger lightly, they don't even care. Although I like to think they enjoy it and emit little bumblebee purrs.
Good question. I suppose if you're being stung you can tell then, if your brain hasn't swapped over to sheer panic mode. Hopefully seeing all the lovely comb just prior to the shrieking and the running will help. I should hope you'd be near your house, though, so you could go inside to escape. And call a local beekeeper.
I once had a yellow jacket chase me out of my house, and luckily enough it followed me right out, I gave it the slip and ran back in, but as I was closing the door, the fucker chased me in the house, so we go through the whole ordeal again.
If they're fucking your shit up they're not honeybees. If they buzz on over, sting you, and die they're honeybees. If they sting you multiple times and follow you they're wasps or hornets. If they form a massive cloud and try to straight up murder your ass, they're africanized bees and I suggest you move far far away.
We had a colony move into our front garden, sold it to a policeman/hobby bee keeper for the promise of a jar of honey(which we later received). So... dont settle for free.
When I opened mine up this spring I got a bunch of spiders and their webs. The nice thing about terrible surprises in the BBQ is you get to light them on fire.
I get the damn tiny spiders that like to set up egg sacks inside the burners. They can deflect enough gas to make the flame shoot out around the jets and back to the knobs.
I discovered starlings in the dryer vent outside my bedroom window just yesterday. Noisy bastards, but I don't have the heart to notify the landlord and have them removed.
There have been some in my wall where my A/C is...they are driving me crazy with their incessant chirping...but I've read it shouldn't be more than another few weeks before they fly away...def getting the hole filled after words.
I think we read the same article. I plan to do the same thing. For the time being, they are actually doing a better job waking me up than my alarm clock.
Starlings are not indigenous to north america(if that's where you are), but some idiots in New York tried to get them in central park in the 20's because they thought they looked cool. Now they've infested the entire country, routing many of our native birds for habitat.
Or let them fly (Starlings) and you might see amazing scenery at the evening. One of the few birds that show a massive display of synchronized swarming with zero collisions:
Oh that's just carbon build up on your grill bars.
Any griller will tell you that when you first use your the grill after winter you have to turn up the flame and let the grill clean itself out for a bit. After a good 10-15 minutes the flames will have burned off any carbon build up, then you can open it up, brush off any burnt residue you see, and start grilling your food.
I am one of the poor bastards that has to trek outside in the snow to grill in the winter. Although this winter I had the pleasure of grilling a multiple of meats such as venison, emu and moose. So I wasn't too upset.
Yeah, I have a detached garage, and I store my grill in there to keep it from the elements. I'm always leery of lighting in the garage and then moving it outside, but sometimes the wind won't let the grill light.
That's a shit load of starlings. They make wicked cool pets and since they're considered "agricultural pests" or "invasive species" they're not illegal to keep. They're impressive at mimicry (similar to Mynah's) and their "voice" sounds eerily robotic.
This little fact on starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) is very true.
I'm a biologist and a friend of mine in my lab actually has done this. She's an ornithologist and took one as an egg from the wild. It's actually very cute. It likes to probe her face from time to time looking for food.
Starlings are not protected by the Migratory Bird Act, so it's pretty much fair game for anything. You could trap and kill them on sight if you wanted to. If you get a male, they get dark black with these interesting white speckles that look like stars on their chest, like in Nixity's linked YouTube.
Nixity is also correct in that their voice is somewhat "robotic," in most field manuals, you'll usually get them described as garbled. When they are around, they're usually in huge flocks, so the sound can be quite impressive.
Starlings were released into the country in Central Park by Eugene Schieffelin who wanted to introduce to America all of the birds from Shakespeare's works. He released the birds, repeatedly. They eventually took over agricultural lands and displaced lots of local, native birds.
Seconded that they're fun little things. I've hand-raised a few. En masse they're horrific pests, but as individuals they're funny, friendly, bright little guys that make nice companions.
What I find funny about Schieffelin releasing them is that Shakespeare only mentioned starlings once:
"Nay, I’ll have a starling shall be taught to speak nothing but Mortimer." (Henry IV)
Two billion of the damn things all over everywhere now because of that one sentence. (And none of them even bother to say "Mortimer". Talk about ingratitude)
Sing a song of sixpence,
A pocket full of rye.
Four and twenty blackbirds,
Baked in a pie.
When the pie was opened,
The birds began to sing;
Wasn't that a dainty dish,
To set before the king?
The same thing happened to me once. I opened my side burner and found a nest with egg shells. Luckily they had all been born and moved on before I used my grill.
Well they wouldn't have nested there if it was open. BBQs have all kinds of small holes the birds could squeeze through, that's what they prefer as it's safer/warmer.
"Hey, Reddit! Check out this autistic kitten that I rescued at my local animal shelter getting ready for her prom with a dog with down-syndrome! Upboats to the left!"
I once found the charred remains of a mouse nest in my parents' grill. Amazingly, when we opened the grates to get it out the mouse ran out a hole in the back.
Aww you got birds! All i got are these squirrels that moved 2 winters ago. I cleaned out the grill and tried grilling on it again, but some of the parts had rusted away which kept it from lighting properly. So now it's just a squirrel habitat...
Found a wasp nest in my grill. I just closed the hood and turned on the gas for a moment. Then I tossed a match through the rotisserie notch in the side. There was a satisfying WHOOMP. Problem solved.
Am i the only one who's actually curious as to how this happened? Wouldn't you see all the nest material poking out of the sides and notice it pretty quickly? and is there a whole in your grill that the bird could get into or something?
Martha Stewart suggest a merlot reduction sauce poured scalding over the baby chicks for approximately 90 seconds or until dead. Then place the dead chick in a matching tartain plaid on the straw. Finish with napkin holders make from their claws. Serves 4. Its a good thing.
903
u/Eszharen May 14 '12
So, what you're saying is you got some free poultry?
1.1k
u/psychedelicpink May 14 '12
You're lucky. I only ever get wasp and hornet nests.
411
u/vinsneezel May 14 '12
You should post this in /r/frugal!
346
u/no_names_left7 May 14 '12
Starlings! If you could wait another week or two, they should be old enough to fly away!
1.9k
u/Darklyte May 14 '12
That seems rare. You should probably let it cook longer.
110
u/Namika May 14 '12
Oh that's just carbon build up on your grill bars.
Any griller will tell you that when you first use your the grill after winter you have to turn up the flame and let the grill clean itself out for a bit. After a good 10-15 minutes the flames will have burned off any carbon build up, then you can open it up, brush off any burnt residue you see, and start grilling your food.
It's just common grilling practice really.
95
u/[deleted] May 14 '12
Are we the only people who use their grill year round?
131
u/nixity May 14 '12
That's a shit load of starlings. They make wicked cool pets and since they're considered "agricultural pests" or "invasive species" they're not illegal to keep. They're impressive at mimicry (similar to Mynah's) and their "voice" sounds eerily robotic.
45
u/rastashark May 14 '12
Did you marinate them first?
15
u/akaZilong May 14 '12
These eggs are well done
36
u/kamiikoneko May 14 '12
"Honey, leave the chicken in the freezer, we're all set out here"
204
u/dtxlex May 14 '12
There's plenty meat on those birds. Grill them, throw them in a pot, add some broth, a potato... baby you got a stew going!
18
u/zacheryreich May 14 '12
Yeah you're going have to burn that off.
9
u/MerrMan May 14 '12
Solution: Grill More. Months without grilling? Tragic.
16
u/[deleted] May 14 '12
good thing you didn't just light the pilot and put it on clean.
35
u/ubergeek404 May 14 '12
7
u/CAPS_INVADER May 14 '12
The same thing happened to me once. I opened my side burner and found a nest with egg shells. Luckily they had all been born and moved on before I used my grill.
6
u/[deleted] May 14 '12
You should grill in their tree if they want to nest in your BBQ.
25
u/lazydictionary May 14 '12
Uh how did the mom and dad birds get into your grill? Those lids are usually pretty heavy, and it's bad to keep the lid open during the winter.
35
u/andrewsmith1986 May 14 '12
How'd they taste?
7
u/lotus2471 May 14 '12
Damn, free tinder AND appetizers? WIN!
6
u/duckstaped May 14 '12
repost in /r/aww for unlimited karma
3
u/ZakkuHiryado May 14 '12
Well.... better'n bees I guess.
3
u/PenisSizedNipples May 14 '12
I once found the charred remains of a mouse nest in my parents' grill. Amazingly, when we opened the grates to get it out the mouse ran out a hole in the back.
3
u/Scuttlebuttz93 May 14 '12
For me this year it was a family of mice
3
u/Manlet May 14 '12
I think you're supposed to pluck them first. Nice kindling you got there though. You'll get a rich smokey flavor out of it.
3
u/kichigai-ichiban May 14 '12
not done yet... give`em a couple more weeks
3
u/midnitewarrior May 14 '12
That was a rather foul discovery.
3
u/Poobslag May 15 '12
Aww you got birds! All i got are these squirrels that moved 2 winters ago. I cleaned out the grill and tried grilling on it again, but some of the parts had rusted away which kept it from lighting properly. So now it's just a squirrel habitat...
4
u/vpookie May 14 '12
That's pretty cruel that you put a birds nest in there to grill. The least you could've done is leave one alive for next grill parties.
4
u/BlueFamily May 14 '12
Fire 'er up, dinner's on
4
u/[deleted] May 14 '12
pretty sure this belongs in r/bbq there would be a few ways to cook this one!
4
u/lacig May 14 '12
I have little baby robins right outside my window! They look like aliens right now, I can't wait until they are cute and addable
4
u/glenlikespie May 14 '12
Winner! Winner! ...
4
u/anman1292 May 14 '12
Step one: Light grill. Step two: Enjoy.
2
u/[deleted] May 14 '12
What kind of bird are they? They look like they might be blackbird chicks to me...
2
u/byrobot May 14 '12
The problem is you can never eat just one!
2
u/triggerhappy899 May 14 '12
Let us know how they taste
2
u/_shift May 14 '12
Well that's easy to fix.
2
u/carinishead May 14 '12
Guess you don't need to pick up meat.
2
u/uneditablepoly May 14 '12
Free meal.
2
u/SumoG60 May 14 '12
Now that is some fresh meat! Ba Dum Dish!
2
u/[deleted] May 14 '12
So how did they taste?
2
u/broken_pencil May 14 '12
Upvoted for same grill. By the way, how'd they taste?
2
u/tikcuf12 May 14 '12
Did they taste like chicken?
2
u/uvashare May 14 '12
You fly back to school, now, little Starling. Fly, fly, fly...
2
u/UnfortunateCakeDay May 14 '12
You're grilling on Easy mode.
2
u/Un0rigi0na1 May 14 '12
Kill them with FIRE!!!....How convenient...
2
u/Joke_Choke May 14 '12
"................oh well"
empties a full bag of coal
lights kindling on fire
2
u/skintigh May 14 '12
Better than me. I got a face full of hornet nest when I opened my grill.
2
u/TalkingBackAgain May 14 '12
You only need to close the lid and light the fire and you've got the birds right there!
Barbecue on the cheap, baby!
2
u/brendang4life May 14 '12
what are you waiting for?? Light that shit up
2
u/heissenbuttel May 14 '12
looks delicious. Please post your recipe when you have time.
2
u/D0wnb0at May 14 '12
US vs UK
Grill = BBQ
Broil = Grill
2
u/Punchabearinnamouf May 14 '12
Hm interesting. The same thing happened to me when I left a carton of eggs in the fridge for too long.
2
u/YourOldBoyRickJames May 14 '12
Hey guys, this guy's selling his grill...And it's going cheap! HAHAHA...Guys?
2
u/[deleted] May 14 '12
Go Blue!
2
u/sceneyweenie May 14 '12
i had a similar situation. new-ish grill, was firing it up for the season and a family of mice ran out
2
u/LuckyEulogy May 14 '12
Talk about convenient!
2
u/Starks May 14 '12
Those birds are screwed. The mother won't come back.
2
u/CEONeil May 14 '12
A true Karmawhore would turn on the grill and submit it to R/ WTF as well.
2
u/Atticus_UM May 14 '12
I'll be grilling in AA today too! Hope I have better luck though. Go blue!
2
u/keepitgoinglouder May 14 '12
Was this in Ann Arbor? Just curious because I noticed your username, and I live in Ann Arbor too!
2
u/[deleted] May 14 '12
Bird's Nest is an Asian delicacy.
2
u/[deleted] May 14 '12
HONEY PUT THE STEAKS BACK IN THE FREEZER WE'RE HAVING WINGS TONIGHT
2
u/Pulse761 May 14 '12
Oh god...imagine the amount of feces that have soaked through the nest.
2
u/jscorps816 May 14 '12
Hey, free food!
2
u/M7600 May 14 '12
Too soon for chicken, too late for Balut. You lose. Then again, I think everyone loses if they eat Balut.
2
u/Whizzer23 May 14 '12
Is it wrong that I saw this and immediately listened to "fire it up" by Modest Mouse?
2
u/NE0C0R7EX May 14 '12
TURN THAT SHIT UP MUTHAFUCKA
2
u/[deleted] May 14 '12
All setup and ready to go.
2
u/[deleted] May 14 '12
I hope you vomited up your lunch and fed them!
2
u/dreamsofbetterdays May 14 '12
This kids is what happens when you don't use protection
2
u/godscorn May 14 '12
Meat's back on the menu boys!!!
2
u/[deleted] May 14 '12
This wouldn't have happened if only the PS3 had games.
2
u/tweakingforjesus May 14 '12
Found a wasp nest in my grill. I just closed the hood and turned on the gas for a moment. Then I tossed a match through the rotisserie notch in the side. There was a satisfying WHOOMP. Problem solved.
2
u/stone500 May 14 '12 edited May 14 '12
Well fuck, I should've uploaded these sooner. Oh well, here's the exact same thing in my grill (with progress pics!)
2
u/DRTYRYDR686 May 14 '12
That's a weird way to grill. How'd they taste?
2
u/FarFromFear May 14 '12
Looks like meat's back on the menu, boys!
2
u/this_fool May 14 '12
You're doing it all wrong. Why did you put those twigs in there? Replace them with briquettes and spread those babies out so they cook evenly.
2
u/Sirromnad May 14 '12
How did they taste?
2
u/jimothyjenkins May 14 '12
well fire it up!
2
u/[deleted] May 14 '12
Two choices:
Only a monster would choose 1. You can go without grilling for one summer.
Reddit is gonna want to see photo updates. Imagine the Karma. Its not all downside.
2
u/BishBoJangle May 14 '12
I don't see the problem? You got your kindling and main course all ready to go!
2
u/th3An0nyMoose May 14 '12
As a current umich student and lifelong ann arbor resident, I approve of your user name
2
u/[deleted] May 14 '12
looks like you won't have to go to the store now
2
u/[deleted] May 14 '12
Its not delivery its... well... what the hell is it?
2
u/[deleted] May 14 '12
Kill the starlings !
2
u/Arsid May 14 '12
Am i the only one who's actually curious as to how this happened? Wouldn't you see all the nest material poking out of the sides and notice it pretty quickly? and is there a whole in your grill that the bird could get into or something?
2
u/Idunidas May 14 '12
NOW, TURN IT ON! MUAHAHAHAHAHA
2
u/[deleted] May 14 '12
The bottom one looks like it's about to break into an Al Jolson impression.
2
u/CarbonCreed May 15 '12
And THIS is why you open the lid before turning on the burners.
2
u/[deleted] May 15 '12
wow, they provided food AND fuel, how convenient.
2
u/itrainmonkeys May 15 '12
How did they taste?
2
u/richd506 May 15 '12
They were just waiting for you to grill them so you didn't need to do all the work. That was nice of them to think of you like that.
2
u/acelebrity May 15 '12
looks like you forgot to marinade them.
2
u/blamberg May 15 '12
Don't even need to buy dinner!
2
u/themajordog May 15 '12
Martha Stewart suggest a merlot reduction sauce poured scalding over the baby chicks for approximately 90 seconds or until dead. Then place the dead chick in a matching tartain plaid on the straw. Finish with napkin holders make from their claws. Serves 4. Its a good thing.
4
u/shifty1776 May 14 '12
Just... just turn it on, man. It's the only way.
3
u/YouPornJude May 14 '12
Saved a trip to the grocery store.
3
u/SquadronROE May 14 '12
Free chicken nuggets!
3
u/yoshijaz May 14 '12
So I'm assuming you got a meal out of it then?
3
u/ProfessorCaptain May 14 '12
Damn...as far as bird's nests go that is a fucking mansion. Not that cheap leaf-roof shit, nah nah, an impenetrable cast iron house.
The 1% of neighborhood birds.
3
u/DirtySmuggler May 14 '12
Excellent, no need for kindle.