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What ate my shed?
Well, started to eat my shed - I think it will be a little while before it
disappears altogether! Take a look at... http://www.sterry.org.uk/temp/what_ate_my_shed.jpg Actually, I know the answer, and was initially very surprised when I caught the culprit(s) in the very act of vandalising my beloved shed. Anyone care to guess what was responsible, before I ask how to discourage them? Humans are not involved -- Rick |
"Richard Sterry" wrote in message ... Well, started to eat my shed - I think it will be a little while before it disappears altogether! Take a look at... http://www.sterry.org.uk/temp/what_ate_my_shed.jpg A very hungry squirrel? Helen |
Richard Sterry wrote:
Well, started to eat my shed - I think it will be a little while before it disappears altogether! Take a look at... http://www.sterry.org.uk/temp/what_ate_my_shed.jpg Actually, I know the answer, and was initially very surprised when I caught the culprit(s) in the very act of vandalising my beloved shed. Anyone care to guess what was responsible, before I ask how to discourage them? Humans are not involved Surely not deer? Fallow deer leave marks a bit like that on trees; but I'd have thought they'd have the sense to know the difference. Mike. |
On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 15:26:57 -0000, Richard Sterry wrote:
Well, started to eat my shed - I think it will be a little while before it disappears altogether! Take a look at... http://www.sterry.org.uk/temp/what_ate_my_shed.jpg Actually, I know the answer, and was initially very surprised when I caught the culprit(s) in the very act of vandalising my beloved shed. Anyone care to guess what was responsible, before I ask how to discourage them? Humans are not involved Wasps. They scrape off bits of wood to make pulp for their nests. -- Tim C. |
"Helen Hartley" wrote in message
... A very hungry squirrel? Good guess, and we do indeed have plenty of squirrels visiting our garden, but they are not the culprits. Rick |
"Mike Lyle" wrote in message
... Surely not deer? Fallow deer leave marks a bit like that on trees; but I'd have thought they'd have the sense to know the difference. There are no wild deer in this area. There are some 'farmed' deer a few miles away, but they are not the cuplrits. Think smaller. Rick |
"Tim Challenger" wrote in message
news:1100620641.qX3F1qHRt0AmHlVqNTpT9Q@teranews... Wasps. They scrape off bits of wood to make pulp for their nests. *DING* Well guessed. Yes, one day I was sitting on the bench a couple of metres from the shed, fixing a bicycle puncture I think. I could hear this persistent little scratching noise, and at first I thought it was a small rodent or a bird. Eventually, I found it was a wasp scratching away at the 'decorative' barge board on the front of the shed - it acted like a sounding board. I've seen quite a few of the blighters at my shed, as it was a real bumper year for wasps. I knew that wasps needed wood to make their nests, but I had supposed they used decaying wood as a source, not my blinking shed! The shed is only 2 years old, and when it was delivered it was saturated in wood preservative, but I guess it's no longer smelly enough to put the wasps off. I'm wondering if I will have to use some Cuprinol on it, and if that will discourage them for a year or two. Ideas? Rick |
On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 16:27:16 -0000, Richard Sterry wrote:
"Tim Challenger" wrote in message news:1100620641.qX3F1qHRt0AmHlVqNTpT9Q@teranews... Wasps. They scrape off bits of wood to make pulp for their nests. *DING* Well guessed. Yes, one day I was sitting on the bench a couple of metres from the shed, fixing a bicycle puncture I think. I could hear this persistent little scratching noise, and at first I thought it was a small rodent or a bird. Eventually, I found it was a wasp scratching away at the 'decorative' barge board on the front of the shed - it acted like a sounding board. I've seen quite a few of the blighters at my shed, as it was a real bumper year for wasps. I knew that wasps needed wood to make their nests, but I had supposed they used decaying wood as a source, not my blinking shed! Me too! The shed is only 2 years old, and when it was delivered it was saturated in wood preservative, but I guess it's no longer smelly enough to put the wasps off. I'm wondering if I will have to use some Cuprinol on it, and if that will discourage them for a year or two. Ideas? Rick I noticed it more or less the same way, except I was sitting on my kid's swing drinking a beer, and they were nibbling the legs of the frame. I've no idea what will deter them, sorry. -- Tim C. |
"Tim Challenger" wrote in message news:1100623307.0t6NknLIfP1w+U9q1K7L/Q@teranews... On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 16:27:16 -0000, Richard Sterry wrote: "Tim Challenger" wrote in message news:1100620641.qX3F1qHRt0AmHlVqNTpT9Q@teranews... Wasps. They scrape off bits of wood to make pulp for their nests. *DING* Well guessed. Yes, one day I was sitting on the bench a couple of metres from the shed, fixing a bicycle puncture I think. I could hear this persistent little scratching noise, and at first I thought it was a small rodent or a bird. Eventually, I found it was a wasp scratching away at the 'decorative' barge board on the front of the shed - it acted like a sounding board. I've seen quite a few of the blighters at my shed, as it was a real bumper year for wasps. I knew that wasps needed wood to make their nests, but I had supposed they used decaying wood as a source, not my blinking shed! Me too! The shed is only 2 years old, and when it was delivered it was saturated in wood preservative, but I guess it's no longer smelly enough to put the wasps off. I'm wondering if I will have to use some Cuprinol on it, and if that will discourage them for a year or two. Ideas? Rick I noticed it more or less the same way, except I was sitting on my kid's swing drinking a beer, and they were nibbling the legs of the frame. I've no idea what will deter them, sorry. -- Tim C Try to live with it. If - after 200 years- the shed is showing signs of collapse stand guard with a strong fly swat. Worked for me. |
On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 16:27:16 -0000, "Richard Sterry"
wrote: I knew that wasps needed wood to make their nests, but I had supposed they used decaying wood as a source, not my blinking shed! They also commonly use fibres from dried stems, things like the dead stems of Hogweed and Rosebay Willowherb, Thistles etc, presumably that's what they used before we provided sheds for 'em. ================================================= Rod Weed my email address to reply. http://website.lineone.net/~rodcraddock/index.html |
"Jim" (remove $ ) wrote in message
... Try to live with it. If - after 200 years- the shed is showing signs of collapse stand guard with a strong fly swat. Worked for me. Well, it might take a while before the shed disappears, but I don't like the marks and more to the point I don't fancy my hand landing on a wasp when I'm using the shed! It's going to need some maintenance, so it may as well get daubed with someone that the little striped blighters don't like. Rick |
The message
from "Richard Sterry" contains these words: It's going to need some maintenance, so it may as well get daubed with someone that the little striped blighters don't like. Tony Blur then. -- Rusty Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar. http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/ |
"Richard Sterry" http://www.sterry.org.uk/temp/what_ate_my_shed.jpg Actually, I know the answer, and was initially very surprised when I caught the culprit(s) in the very act of vandalising my beloved shed. Anyone care to guess what was responsible, before I ask how to discourage them? Humans are not involved Wasps making pulp to build with. they like sheds and conservatories =) Morgan |
On 11/17/04 7:02 AM, in article
, "Jaques d'Alltrades" wrote: The message from (jane) contains these words: When I got my bottom fence put up about 4 years ago, I put untreated trellis on the pre-creosoted panels. The wasps didn't touch the panels but are still nibbling at the trellis. So yes, that does work. Pity you aren't supposed to use creosote any more... I think the stuff you get now is just the same except that it doesn't contain benzene - a dangerous carcinogen. They want it all for the unleaded petrol innit... Well, if you must use something, I suggest you use a latex paint. It is easy to apply with water clean up of brushes, etc. I have seen wasps doing the same thing here in BC, Canada...but not on your shed...:) Gary |
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