Ouch! That sh!@ hurt!

Okay, so I wrote the article about wasps just last week, somewhere within, indicating I have never been stung by a wasp. I usually knock on wood after making such statements, because I am no fool to the reality that such things may and probably will occur.

Well, I was on this beautiful property (just a few days ago) I know very well, about to finish a project. Me knowing the property so well was probably not so relevant as no wasps have ever asked me where the hell they could build their nest. I've been in the greenhouse on the property a few times with wasps zipping around while I go about my business, until I get to the business of taking out their nest.

I am trimming one of the last few shrubs, in a shaded area, while also wearing sunglasses. I see some flying insect come out of the shrub, somewhat hovering near where I am trimming and that's not terribly unusual, but I take no time to step back and try to identify what it is - somewhat not practicing what I had preached except for the "don't panic" part.

I did receive fair warning though when a male or the father wasp rammed me in the face (they can't sting). I can't remember if I continued trimming or simply didn't back off, but I believe the wasp which tagged me went back in and reported, "I let him know to back off, but I don't think he got the message."

So, his mate, I imagine - a female wasp, came out with the weapon the male didn't possess and nailed me right on the cheek and that sh!@ hurt like hell.

This property is that of our very first customer and a family friend, with a well-equipped shed so I don't always bring my mandatory allotment of stuff, but I know she usually has wasp spray.

I went inside and asked for this, along with some hydrogen peroxide, and told her what happened. I began to think, "Perhaps I'll just finish this shrub some other time." Nah, I couldn't do that even as much as my cheek was throbbing like I had just gotten ten tetanus shots in the same place.

Policy and procedure had to be maintained and I grabbed the wasp spray and a leaf rake and went in search of the nest. On first try I exposed the nest without the rage of the angry parents (I assumed they were.) and soaked it completely. Booyah! Mission accomplished and I finished trimming the shrub. Then, although wounded, I felt reassured of my previous assertions, uh, for the most part.

I told this story to a customer I ran into at the gym today and she says, "Oh, by the way, I have two wasps nest under some chairs on my back patio."

I committed our services. Here we go!