Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Busy As a...

Photo by SnaggleTooth July 6 2011
After having to wait all week, I finally got to go back out in the daylight on the deck today.

This past Friday before work I got stuck in a dilemna.

In a hurry to get done fast, I went out the upstairs outside door n quickly set down a water bucket next to the closed door n went around the corner to look at the flowers on the other deck section. When I turned to go back in there were about a dozen hornets swarming in tight circles about the bucket!

It occurred to me that I was trapped with no way to get back in the house, or downstairs without going thru the hornets... I'm allergic to bee stings.

Since I've lived here that's never happened to me before. I'd previously sprayed around the deck with "Shoo-Fly" repellant as I do each spring. Usually that keeps the bees from nesting up here. Threatening a nest would be the only thing that would rile up hornets like that, because they're very territorial. I've done alot of past Bee research...

Rooting thru gardening supplies out there in a covered barrel, I found an old bottle of plant pest insect spray, almost empty. I took off the spray nozzle top, n tossed the remaining liquid near the door, ducking back put of sight around the corner.

Then the available bug spray was all gone, n didn't stop the hornets from milling round. What else could I use? So I started throwing water from plant watering jugs on that whole section of deck- Also did not deter them!

Finally, I decided to hold my cloppy flip-flops instead of making sound, gathered my courage, n I ran past the bucket down the stairs, while jiggily pouring out a water jug held over my head all around me- It worked!- Not stung, n not followed down off the deck, either.

Still had a big prob tho... No keys for car or other door, no money, no phone in my pockets yet! Not even a drink of wake-up tea! But now wide awake alright- heart pounding outa my chest too!

I saw the "R" summer neighbor on her porch, n asked of she had bug spray to borrow, but no luck. Other neighbors were out somewhere. I needed to leave for work soon or be late, n was a heavy traffic day too, on the holiday week-end- I felt pressure to hurry n think to solve the prob for myself.

What else could I do? There was a string-head mop on the downstairs porch.

A plan formed in my head to hold the mop out ahead of me to divert the hornets attention, n go up the stairs to try to get in the door. Quietly n slowly I went up the stairs. Part-way up, as soon as I could reach the bucket with the mop, I quickly pushed the bucket further down the deck away from the door, n rushed back down to the yard. the hornets were still crazy for another ten minutes while I watched them from downstairs.

Finally, they simmered down with the bucket out of their way, n I couldn't see many around. Once again holding the mop out ahead of me n flipping the strings about, I went up the stairs, spotted clear air to the door, grabbed the latch, n quickly ran in! I made it!

I quickly checked all over me for insects, n the mop too. Tho it felt like things were crawling all over me, I was clean- success!

Another "I'm alive!" episode in my life, n I solved it all by myself! Immediately I thanked the Creator n the Angels for helping me out.

At times like that I always want to eat chocolate Ice cream... but I had to hurry out the other door to get to work, which I did instead. I had to use the downstairs door all week, until I finally got Bee spray, sprayed after dark, n then had to wait another 24 hours before feeling somewhat safe using the door again.

I finally got in another sunset from the D-bridge too. I'm finally getting to that ice cream today too! It's been a very long, busy week...

14 Comments:

At 4:29 AM, Blogger Opaque said...

Just made me smile... nice photo!

 
At 6:13 AM, Blogger Tabor said...

We have had an abundance of bugs of all kinds this summer. Different wasps are everywhere and our boat which has needed some repair became a perfect nesting place. Had to do some real spraying there when we went out on the 4th.

 
At 6:25 AM, Blogger G. B. Miller said...

The deities were definitely looking out for you that day.

 
At 6:49 AM, Blogger Granny Annie said...

Hornets get thirsty too:) What an ordeal. Glad you managed to overcome the obstacles.

 
At 9:26 AM, Blogger young-eclectic-encounters said...

Good for you- it is always nice to be able to conquer your problems
Johnina :^A

 
At 3:17 PM, Blogger Lynn said...

What an ordeal! I hope you got your ice cream, Snaggle - you deserve it after that!!!

Lovely photo.

 
At 9:43 PM, Blogger Gledwood said...

I used to live in the eves of a Victorian house. Even in midwinter (a very cool British winter) I had hornets coming into my garret room at 4am, attracted by the light I tended to leave on. I killed them knockdown dead with Raid cockroach spray. It's stronger than flyspray and a crack-shot would kill them within 5 seconds. Nasty things!

I hope you got rid of all those nasty wasps. I HATE WASPS!!

 
At 3:55 AM, Blogger LL Cool Joe said...

Wow I thought hornets were harmless! Now I know different. Glad you made it out alive!

 
At 5:06 AM, Blogger Snaggle Tooth said...

Opaque, N a true story, too! Thanks

Tabor, I think all the rain we've had has bumped up the bee population, so they are branching out to make more new hives. Had it been my boat, The ride would be cancelled- too dangerous with a hive onboard- I'd jump off! Of course, they just reported more Great White sharks in Cape waters too!

G, you bedda believe it! I do-

Gran Annie, They do- but putting a large bucket bext to the entry-way to their hive, in the siding next to my door, really got them working up a thirst! Thanks- I obviously wouldn't have written anything if not successful...

YEE Johnina, I'm still amazed how a mop was the answer! Thanks

Lynn, Yes it was- Thanks. I did finally get some Eddy's slow churned chocolate. mmmmm

Cute Hamster! Welcome to ESR comments Gledwood! I need to be careful in the house not to be allergic to the bug sprays too! Raid anything does work wonders! I've had a few in here awhile back. Some I even managed to capture n release! Better luck with your buzzy visitors!

LLcoolJ, When you're allergic, a swarm of angry hornets can kill you in minutes! I'm glad they focused on hating the bucket n not me! Thanks

 
At 12:24 PM, Blogger ... Paige said...

beautiful photo, horrible scary story. Glad you are ok

 
At 8:21 PM, Blogger Neo said...

Next time just get a can of air freshener and light a match.

Problem solved.

 
At 3:46 AM, Blogger Snaggle Tooth said...

Paige, Thanks. It was more than slightly stressful.

Neo, I had nothing with me- had to use just what was outside. BTW, very allergic to hairspray! Have none here- Don't even carry lighter or matches anymore! Now I won't go out without a can of spray in my hand!

 
At 8:36 AM, Blogger Erica B said...

omg.. you told me but it didn't register how crazy it was until I just read it now! Thank Goodness you made out alright!! I can safely say that after our trip to Maine neither of the boys are allergic to horsefly bites- and neither got stung by a bee... yet. Eventhough I am not allergic, I tend to get nervous around them as I fear I may develop your allergy. no thanks!

@neo not only is mom allergic to anything scented, growing up we couldn't even sneak in painting our nails when she wasn't home.. it never failed- 2-3 days after we thought we were in the clear we'd get "Who used nail polish?!" or such and such brand shampoo. Even now I hesitate to use hairspray- someone might yell at me next week ;P

 
At 4:01 AM, Blogger Snaggle Tooth said...

MB, all bee encounters are nerve-wracking for me! Especially that one... Glad the boys didn't have reactions to horsefly bites like me. That allergy didn't develop until I was in my 30s. The bee allergy I found out when I was 14 with the second time I was stung- walking barefoot. Folks don't usually react to the first time.

Yep Neo, stuff most folks use would make my throat close-up n kill me! At least red-stingy-eye n hives causing products last a few days but let me breathe!

 

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