A wasp was saved?

We have always considered the local wildlife in our area when planning  our garden. We have a small open lawn area, surrounded by trees and shrubs, so creatures who prefer an open area together with those who prefer the security of shrubbery, could find some pleasure there. In one area, we have an old outdoor patio table on which are three plant pot dishes. Our local birds have a choice of three “bird baths”!

Today (Thursday), I was in the garden and saw a wasp floating in one of the “bird baths”. It looked pretty dead, and my immediate reaction was to get it out before a bird or other creature found it. I watched it for a moment, and felt a little  sad that it had drowned. Its legs were motionless as it just drifted around.

For some reason that I cannot explain, I put my index finger in the water very close to the wasp… and I saw a leg twitch. It was alive! I moved my finger right up alongside the wasp, and it dragged itself up and onto my finger. Once it was clear of the water, I moved over to a nearby shrub and shook it off and onto a leaf where it started to move around until it disappeared into the foliage. I am fairly certain that it would have been flying again before too long!

It brought back memories of being around 9-10 years old and during “playtime” at Junior School (U.K.). I had no close friends there and was sitting on my own on the asphalt of the playground when a large bumblebee landed on my right knee (I wore short trousers then). I can remember having no fear of the bee, but was just fascinated by having this “close up and personal” encounter. I just watched it. After a few moments, it flew off… and left some pollen on my knee. Given that the bee visit  happened around 60 years ago, it clearly made a huge impact! I wonder how long I will remember today’s wasp interaction?

30 thoughts on “A wasp was saved?”

  1. Ah, a person after my own heart. I have always rescued things… even ones I’m afraid of (I’m not terrified of wasps but am very respectful of them). The only thing I think I wouldn’t rescue is a gnat or mosquito…. er… just sayin’.

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    • Hi Val. Welcome to my Blog. I regularly get advised by WP of new Followers but, all too often, those Followers never Comment for whatever reason… so you are really appreciated! As for mosquitoes, my intuitive reaction is “smack”! My body seems very attractive to those “little guys”, and it reacts badly to bites, so I have to admit a certain antagonism towards them!

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  3. I have saved many bugs from my bird bath. The wasps and bees come often for water and it safer than getting from my pond (where a frog will eat them). They seem to be grateful and don’t sting. I have been stung though but both times I had inadvertently done something to disturb their nest.

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    • Hi Kate. Your last sentence says it all. If they believe to be under attack, then one can hardly fault them for retaliating! I applied the same rationale the first time Ray approached me rather menacingly while at the shelter. You will probably remember (from the book) that my thoughts at the time were “I have done nothing to warrant aggression, so keep still and see what he does” … and the rest is history! 🙂

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  4. PS if ever stung by a wasp, use vinegar as an antidote to the sting. For a bee sting use a solution of 50/50 bicarbonate of soda and water…will stop most of the swelling if you can apply it quickly after the sting.

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  5. I often save wasps and bees. And yes, they don’t sting if you allow them to crawl on you gently. They do however lose body heat in cold weather or water. If their temperature drops too low, they are unable to raise their temperature to fly and will die. Next time, (should there be one) keep it on your hand until it can fly. If unable to to do that, put it in a small container in front of a fan heater. It will soon start buzzing as the container warms and can be set free.

    You can read more on bee behaviour on my blog ‘Bee all End all.’

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  7. Think I will call you the Bee Whisperer. They have a dog and horse one, may as well have one for bees. 🙂

    I do like the story of when you were a boy. Were you ever stung by a bee that you know of?

    I am allergic to bees, so can’t say that I would spend time “talking” to or helping them. Apparently they draw out your sensitive side though. Next time you come in contact with a bee, please give them a message to leave me alone. 🙂 Thanks!

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    • I have no recollections of ever being stung by either bees or wasps, but then I always try and avoid giving them a reason to. For a bee to sting is suicidal (for the bee) so it is a last resort measure on its part. Wasps are a little trickier but, if I do not give them any reason to see me as a threat, then I see no reason why they would sting me. I applied the same rationale to my initial meetings with Ray when he was very reactive to people… and it worked. 🙂

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      • Your post got me to thinking about bees more. I was reading about how scientists are talking about the danger of bees dying out. How a lot of us don’t realize what an important job bees do with their pollination. How critical they are.
        So “Bee whisperer” you have given me some more appreciation for bees. They stil make me nervous, but it’s good that they have people like you to help them. 🙂

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