I just wanted to say "thank you" to Jill for trying to educate folks and
encourage compassion and discernment when considering how we interact with
wasps.

Paper wasps really are extremely tolerant of us humans and we could attempt
to reciprocate. :-) Though they are more aggressive and caution is
warranted around their nests, Bald-faced Hornets are also nectarivorous and
help to pollinate flowers. (For examples, see photos below where pollen is
clearly covering the hairs of the body.)

http://bugguide.net/node/view/614150/bgimage
http://bugguide.net/node/view/334785/bgimage
http://bugguide.net/node/view/145290/bgimage


All my best,
Harsi Parker
Vashon, WA

On Fri, Sep 19, 2014 at 8:16 AM, Jill Freidberg <JFreidberg at uwb.edu> wrote:

> Those are paper wasps (also known as umbrella wasps). They are not
> aggressive, and because they eat flower nectar, they are also a beneficial
> pollinator. Unlike their nasty cousin, the Bald-faced Hornet, these little
> wasps rarely sting, even when you're right next to their nest. Please leave
> them be.
>
> Jill
>
> ________________________________________
> From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu [
> tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] on behalf of Hank [
> hank.heiberg at gmail.com]
> Sent: Friday, September 19, 2014 6:15 AM
> To: Tweeters
> Subject: [Tweeters] Warning: wasp nest at Wylie Slough
>
> >
> > I should have thought to issue this warning earlier. When Karen and I
> were on the dike closest to the boat launch at Wylie Slough on 9/10, we
> found ourselves standing two feet from a wasp nest on a rock on the pond
> side of the trail. The wasp nest is right at ground level at the end of
> the dike nearest to the outhouse.
> >
> > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/15018149898/
> >
> > Hank Heiberg
> > Lake Joy
> > Carnation, WA
> > hankdotheibergatgmaildotcom
> >
> >
> > Sent from my iPad
> _______________________________________________
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>
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