Dennis

are the entomologists reporting more hornet/wasp populations this year?

These are the smaller yellow hornet/wasps that one usually sees around trash cans at picnics/parks. Not the larger cicada killers I think are true yellow jackets.

I am in a "high risk" for insect bites with my work I realize. But in over 25 years I have been stung 5 times by bees/wasp/hornets. In the past 2 weeks I have been stung 3 times by those small yellow hornets.

Wasps have gotten me in the past when I didnt hit evergreens before pruning or when I was cutting down a vine growing on a garage (they had nested in a crack under the eaves and I hadn't noticed them). Hornets have gotten me when I have moved old compost or brush piles in late summer. A honey bee stung me once years ago when I was walking in clover with sandals. But this year all three times I was just walking along in areas I hadn't disturbed and OUCH!