When it comes to stinging insects, most people don’t really care much about them as long as they aren’t around.  Few people see the importance these stinging insects play in the environment---with the exception of perhaps the importance of Honey Bees.

I am a paper wasp---not the evil Yellow Jacket!While yellow jackets are not renowned for being “friendly,” most stinging insects do not go out of their way to sting you unless you are actually messing with them.

As a home inspector I routinely have to deal with reporting on the presence of stinging insects---as well as avoiding being stung by them.

One common problem with wasps in our area is that they like to build nests in the protected covers of exhaust vents.  Over time these nests can prevent the back-draft damper from opening rendering the exhaust fan non-functional.

So who gets to deal with these nests?

Up until the other day, when I met Marvin, of “Jerry the BEE Guy,” it has been difficult finding someone to deal with these nests.  While most homeowners might buy a can of “wasp spray” and take care of the matter themselves, many of these vents are way up high on steep roofs that most homeowners should not be attempting to maintain or a wasp sting might be the least of their worries.

Like spiders, most people have an irrational fear of stinging insects that prevents them from seeing the bigger picture.  Some people also have bad reactions to stings as well.  Much of Marvin's time is spent eduacating people as to the "truth" about stinging insects.

Jerry the BEE Guy 

Interestingly enough many Pest Control Companies will not treat these nests because of insurance limitations regarding working on roofs.  Of course roofers are not licensed to use chemicals to treat insects.

Jerry the BEE Guy has the perfect solution!

He removes and relocates BEES and Wasps to areas away from humans.  Recognizing how beneficial these insects are in the environment and how detrimental it is to keep pumping poisons into the environment he has a thriving business removing these insects from people’s homes.

So the next time you have a stinging insect problem in the Seattle area, call Marvin---he is  “Jerry the BEE Guy!”

And stay away from his van!

This van is protected by guard BEES

 

Charles Buell, Real Estate Inspections in Seattle

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Seattle Home Inspector

Click on the Rose A Group by any other name. to check out: AHA!---A Forum of Landmark Proportions---your Group

PS, for those of you that are new to my blog (or for some other "unexplained" reason have never noticed)sunsmileall pictures and smiley-face inserts (emoticons) (when I use them) have messages that show up when you point at them with your cursor.

My WORDLESS WEDNESDAY pictures and some selected POEMS & STORIES.

Just quack on me to subscribe

 

The Human Rights Campaign   QR code for Charles Buell Inspections Inc  ASHI.org


WA State, Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board

 
This post has been included in Washington Real Estate News King County, WA Real Estate News Seattle, WA Real Estate News
Post is included in group: "Whacked"!!!
Post is included in group: Dedicated Bloggers
Post is included in group: WeBlog Anything (almost)!
Post is included in group: The Lounge at Active Rain
Post is included in group: BananaTude

24 Comments on Bees and wasps---who really cares if there is a difference?

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUN
06
916,623 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Eileen, you are welcome---and thanks for subscribing:)

Richard, they really do.  Marving told me he has been very busy collecting swarming honey bees this spring

Eric, I feel better when they are not around either :)

Robert, just Jerry the Bee Guy
9:06am • #5
227,267 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Charles -- good to know there is  this alternative.  Interesting approach to your picture, did you color it yourself?
10:24am • #6
213,894 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I wish we had Jerry around here, I just took some nasty stings yesterday while up on a roof. Little buggers came out of the chimney where they had made their nest and got me before I saw them. 
10:27am • #7
483,784 Points 59 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

OK ... you got me here. Why is it Jerry the Bee Guy instead of Marvin the Bee Guy? Guess I need some Bee education as well.
10:40am • #8
916,623 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Steven, my profile picture is a skype screen shot

Suesan, hopefully you are OK.  I consider bee stings a sort of "natural accupuncture":)

Cynthia, Marvin told me that he took over the business originally started by Jerry :)
10:48am • #9
1,360,480 Points 93 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

OK I came to ask the same question as Cynthia! 

I wonder if any of our pest people take this approach with stinging insects.  I doubt it.

11:00am • #10
761,240 Points 69 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Here people don't make the distinciton between bees and wasps.  Everything is a bee. In the U.K. we do.  And if you ever have an hour, I have a bee story to die for.....
1:11pm • #11
974,149 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I'm not sure that the fear of the pain of a wasp sting or allergic reaction to a bee sting, is irrational!  But I know I fear it!

I think Jerry (or Marv) should come with me everyday.  Just in case, you understand.
2:22pm • #12
916,623 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Maureen this was the first time I had heard of this non-toxic way of dealing with stinging insects

Jane, I think you should blog about your bee story :)

Jay, the irrational part is just assuming all stinging insects are as likely to sting you as any others.
10:16pm • #13
JUN
07
974,149 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Charlie, that is NOT enough incentive to get me not to run!  When a bunch of buzzing starts around me as I enter a crawl space, I am NOT going to rationally think, let's see, that does not sound like a wasp or hornet, so the sting potential is not as great.  I calculate it at only 40%.  No problem here...

Thinking like that definitely IS irrational!

Again, Marv just needs to come with me every day!

You'll like my free enterprise quote yesterday.  It's a great story.
3:04am • #14
567,660 Points 140 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I absolutely hate Yellow Jackets. Been stung many times. Around here the other "friendly" bee is the White Faced or Bald Faced Hornet. They are also known for going out of their way to sting. 

You say you report on "bees". Is that because you are structural pest inspector or is that the Buell level of inspection service? 
5:15am • #15
1,344,219 Points 71 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I know I would not care which it was as long as they are removed! My son is deathly allergic to bee stings!
5:18am • #16
916,623 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jay, I am sure we would all like Marvin with us every day---but that might be a little irrational :)

Jim, I am no fan of them either.  One time on the farm I was diskharrowing a field and chopped up a yellow jackets nest.  They did not appreciate it and they stung me 7 or 8 times----on the next pass after going around the field they got me 2 or 3 more times.  They have been off my friend list ever since.

Barbara, I think lots of people have bad reactions to them---and it is important to be careful around them and deal with them appropriately.  I am just glad there is a way to do it without adding chemicals to the environment.
6:08am • #17
916,623 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jim, also---yes, if I see the little suckers---they get reported
6:21am • #18
292,391 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Charlie, Great blog and I am with you on this one. If all possible save the pollinators.

 

Jim, funny, we have bald faced hornets also and I have found them to way less aggressive than yellow jackets. Maybe its a regional thing. Bald face Hornets do make some cool big nests.

 
8:45am • #19
JUN
08

I'm not a fan of stinging insects, but I do prefer the relocation method instead of the extermination method!
8:42am • #20
916,623 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Don, I remember the bald faced hornets from when I lived back east---they sting yellow jackets for fun.

Joanne, that is where I am at about it as well
10:54am • #21
548,345 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Charles, good for you to spread the word about a chemical free solution to the problem of bees and wasps (and I presume hornets)
1:46pm • #22
JUN
09
916,623 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Chris, yes---hornets are among the wasps
4:17pm • #23
JUN
14
227,118 Points 86 Featured Posts

Irrational fear? Ha!  I sem to get stung every year, and I usually have no idea I'm about to get stung until it happens. 

You're not kididng about the nests under exhaust vents.  I find more there than anywhere else.
6:35pm • #24

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All


What does the graphic say?
Leave a response…

(optional)
Spam Prevention:
 
Froggie2 Ambassador_large

Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector

Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector

Seattle, WA

More about me…

Charles Buell Inspections.com

Address: Seattle, Shoreline, Everett, Lynnwood, Bothel, Kirkland, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Edmonds, Renton, King County, 17123 22nd Ave NE, Shoreline (Seattle), WA, 98155

Office Phone: (206) 478-7371

Cell Phone: (206) 478-7371

Email Me

My blog is intended to provide information related to home inspections in Seattle, surrounding communities and anyone else interested. Sometimes I will provide information that has nothing to do with home inspections. Enjoy!

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner



Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find WA real estate agents and Seattle real estate on ActiveRain.