Last August trimming the hedge in the back garden,  I got to a spot where there was a helluva amount of wasps going about. Normally I do my best to ignore these pests, on this occasion it was looking like I was in danger of being stung.Postponing my hedge trimming, I discovered the wasps swarming the area where my compost bin is. Clearly there was a wasps nest (byke) inside the compost bin. The simplest action would have been to leave it well alone, the wasps would die in late Autumn/early Winter, I would then empty the bin and destroy the nest along with the eggs or grubs.Problem was I had people coming to erect a new fence and as you can imagine the compost bin and offending wasps were situated directly in front of the old rickety fence. I set about with various tools to get access from a reasonably safe distance, and placed a burning rag which had been soaked in turpentine into the centre of the bin. Immediately wasps were soaring in the air, smoke and flames became quite intense as I dared to top up with more turps.

I had been waiting for four months to get this fence attended to, I was not having them turn up and then disappear because of a few wasps. I had been standing by with the hose just in case things got out of hand, however all seemed well, although many of the Kamikaze blighter’s did not seem keen on giving up.

Eventually I got to the stage of destroying the bin and nest completely, minus stings. Couple of days later Myra and I set about tidying up the area, there was still some broken parts of the nest on the ground with grubs wriggling, the wasps returned and stung us both, hasty retreat was made.

I had been forced back to work on the area soaking with armilitox, and spraying the ground with insect killer as the fence people were coming next day.

I was actually stung in the hand again yesterday, much more painful this time, I have been taking antihistamines which I believe is the thing to do when stung.

Some people of course react very severely to bee and wasp stings and have what is called an anaphylactic reaction medical help is required immediately as they may become unconscious and die. The patient if help comes quickly will be treated with adrenaline by injection, antihistamines, steroids and intravenous fluids, and will recover fully.

Happy to say, fence was erected, and looking great.  Where will the blighter’s nest next year.