WASPS

Moorf · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 12:43 am Post subject:

Sorry Rae but I did have a little giggle - not because I thought you were silly but because I'd have been exactly the same - if not worse!! Nutcase

I am totally embarrassing to be around when there are buzzies in the neighbourhood!! Mind you, it does stem from being traumatised by the blighters when I was a kid! My excuse and I'm sticking to it!! Yes

And, please don't think I am completely off my head, but bees/wasps ALWAYS come to ME - really, it's like I have an attraction to them!! I have tried everything - hypnosis, acupuncture, changing perfume/no perfume, changing washing powder (something I read about ultra-violet from some washing powders!!) - I've tried the lot!! (I refuse aversion therapy!!)

Don't even get me STARTED on mozzies !! They love me! I am B- bloody type and (apparently) they go for this alot. I come out in HUGE bites too - but its something I'll just have to put up with for the sake of a beautiful country and lifestyle I guess! Small price to pay Yes

Strange really cos stick an air tank on my back and I'm happy to play with large, toothy fish and sharks!!

Moorf

karltsmith · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 8:01 am Post subject:

Hi Moorf and everyone,

OK....me too. Embarassed

Trauma victim Mr. Green

I was 6 years old and was stung in the ear several times by a wasp! I go mad at picnics if I hear a buzzy thing anywhere near me. Embarassed

To make matters worse at 7 years old my mother served up bananas and custard with a side order of bee which left its sting on my tongue......could have been worse if it reached my throat!

Black and yellow make me see red Laughing

Karl

xanctus · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 1:47 pm Post subject: Re: Ok, it must be said...

I saw WETA from the documentary of Lord of the Rings, I must admit I fear those things just from the pictures....and I in general dislike insects

sesame · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 2:25 pm Post subject:

...i was jsut talking to kiwi about cockroaches - and didn't even realize there was a whole thread devoted to bugs and wasps etc.!!

moorf, my poor grandma (who lived to be 98 1/2) had a wasp allergy and usually three to four nests outside her hacienda ... not a dear sight for her!

sesame~ Shy

someone sent me this article:

There's something truly memorable about witnessing the tiny iridescent glows of hundreds, thousands or even millions of tiny insects inside a pitch-dark cave. Every year, millions of tourists are treated to this sight. Most of them see their first glow-worms at Waitomo Caves near Waitomo in the central North Island.

The Waitomo caves are the biggest and the most well known in NZ. As a result, they have become one of the must-do stops on every tour bus agenda and the resulting crush of people can detract greatly from the experience. Many people don't realise that glow-worms can be seen in many parts of New Zealand that are far less crowded and perhaps even more enjoyable.

Glow-worms are actually the larvae of the far-less- romantic-sounding fungus gnat. The larval stage lasts six to nine months depending on how much food the glow- worm gets. Glow-worms have luminescent organs that produce a soft greenish light. They reside in little sacks attached to overhangs and they produce a long sticky thread that hangs down beneath them. Unwary insects are attracted to their light and become stuck in their web-like thread where they become paralysed. The glow-worm then reels in its catch and dines until the next mealtime. The hungrier the glow-worm, the brighter its light.

When the glow-worm has matured to about the size of a matchstick, it creates a cocoon and the new fungus gnat - looking something like a mosquito without a mouth - emerges two weeks later. The poor fungus gnat has a pretty rough time of things. Its whole life consists of emerging, mating, laying eggs and dieing all in the space of only 2 or 3 days. To top that off, once it can fly, it often falls victim to the sticky threads of other glow-worms. Maybe that's why it wasn't even given a mouth to eat!

To fully enjoy nature's mini light show, never touch the glow-worm's sack or its thread, don't make loud noises and don't turn a torch or flashlight onto them as bright light or any disturbance will cause them to "turn off." It can take several hours for them to reach normal brightness thereafter.

So the next time you're in Godzone, keep your eyes open. Find most any moist, dark, undisturbed cave or overhang with a good supply of insects for food, and you may very well be treated to your own private light show.

Dianne · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 19 May 2004 Posts: 23

Timbo · Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 6:24 am Post subject:

A man walked into a pet store and asked to buy a wasp. Sorry says the sales man, we dont do wasps.
Well, says the customer, you have one in the window.

Lisa. · Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 6:33 am Post subject: Wasps

Timbo
I hate to say this but your jokes are really bad!!, oh well they are better than mine, i can never remember them

Lisa

Timbo · Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 6:43 am Post subject:

That one was courtesy of Frank "it`s the way I tell em" Carson

Lisa. · Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 7:05 am Post subject: Bad joke

OK Timbo
Here's one for you.
Man comes home from nightshift and says to his wife."hey i've just been talking to the mikman, he reckons he's had every woman on this street except one", the wife replied "oh that'l be that snotty B***H over the road at number 10" Eek

Bad eh?
Lisa

Robert · Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 10:37 am Post subject:

Not a joke (sorry!) this one but may help with insects.

Many insects are attracted to light (hence the glow worms) so it is best to avoid being a beacon.

Most washing powder contains fluorescent dye which makes clothing glow in sunlight for that 'whiter-than-white' look. If you've ever seen a shirt under UV light at a party or such you will recall how bright they are.

Insects find this very interesting, even the biting ones (which are also attracted to carbon dioxide)

So if you wish to avoid being bitten, wear dark clothing. (and try not to breathe too much Wink

). The locals swear by DEET which is about the most potent topical insectiside available.

Moorf · Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 11:06 am Post subject:

aurora · Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 11:15 am Post subject:

Wasps are a major problem in some parts of the South Island (eg Nelson Lakes National Park). The main concern is that these wasps (foreign invaders) are wiping out the local bees (among other things).

They can also be a danger to humans if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time, as they tend to swarm. If you're attacked, I think it's recommended that you head straight for water (where you'll probably die from hypothermia, but that's another story).

The authorities are on the case and are working to reduce/solve the problem.

Moorf · Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 11:20 am Post subject:

Raeven · Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 3:06 pm Post subject:

Oi. And I was so besotted by Nelson...!!!

Thank you, Robert and Aurora, for honest posting on the subject.. like Moorf and karlsmith, I am a beacon to these characters, I'm afraid. Like them, I had traumatic experiences as a child (wasp-sting necklace from "sit still, they won't bother you.")

Deet is my new best friend!!

Forewarned is forearmed!! Now... what about those cockroaches on the South Island??

Thanks again, Rae

Robert · Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2004 5:38 pm Post subject:

Not a joke (sorry!) this one but may help with insects.

Many insects are attracted to light (hence the glow worms) so it is best to avoid being a beacon.

Most washing powder contains fluorescent dye which makes clothing glow in sunlight for that 'whiter-than-white' look. If you've ever seen a shirt under UV light at a party or such you will recall how bright they are.

Insects find this very interesting, even the biting ones (which are also attracted to carbon dioxide)

So if you wish to avoid being bitten, wear dark clothing. (and try not to breathe too much Wink

). The locals swear by DEET which is about the most potent topical insectiside available.