Charles Ray, an entomologist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), says Yellow Jackets are creating "super nests" that are three to four times the size of regular wasp nests! A regular nest is equivalent to the size of a volleyball and houses about 4,000 to 5,000 worker wasps. The "super nests" are housing up to 15,000 worker wasps!
Story via LiveScience
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Why Alabama?
Via Charles RayRay says it's likely that this is happening in Alabama due to it's mild winter and plentiful food offerings for the insects.
This image here is the largest nest Ray has set his eyes on, a yellow jacket nest that took up the interior of a 1957 Chevy.
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The "super nests" appeared before, following the mild winter in 2005-2006
Via Charles RayRay saw 90 super nests that year.
Here is another super nest that made it's home on some unfortunate souls porch.
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What's the difference between a wasp nest and a beehive?
Via Charles RayAnd if you weren't aware, Yellow Jackets are way worse than your average honeybee. These wasps are smart, very defensive and will mercilessly sting a person who gets within 14 inches (36 centimeters) of the nest's opening.
And, unlike honeybees, they can sting multiple times -- WITHOUT dying. Luckily, Ray says, they have less venom to inject following the first initial sting. At least that's something, right?
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What can you do if you a "super nest" appears in or around your home?
Via Charles RayCall an exterminator. Do not try and dispose of it yourself -- that could end badly.
Read more about these wasps and their "super nests" at LiveScience.
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Close-up of a Yellow Jacket queen
Via Charles RayRead more about these wasps and their "super nests" at LiveScience.
