Hello All,
 
Here in Augusta County in the western part of Virginia there
seems to be no shortage of yellow jackets.  They've been trying
to get into my extracting room all week, in large numbers.  A
flyswatter takes care of the few which do get in, so no real
problem.  Also have a few bald-faced hornets and paper wasps in
on the act.
 
If any of you on the list feel deprived of yellow jackets, come
see me and you will be welcome to all you can catch.
 
Regards,
 
Fred
 
 
According to Joel Govostes:
>
> >Ted wonders about the ubiquitous yellowjacket...
> > I even put my extracted supers into the apiary for
> >>the bees to clean out, and not even these has attracted a yellow jacket, to my
> >>knowledge.
> >>
> >>What is going on?
>
> Here in central NY, I am also surprised at the lack of yellow jackets for
> this time of year.  Last summer by now they were getting pesty, and I knew
> of at least four thriving colonies within our meager 1.3 acres (one aerial
> in a hemlock, one in the eave of my house, one in a bluebird box, and one
> ground-nesting, plus one in my garage which I terminated early on); there
> could well have been more.  The bald-faced "hornets" were also extremely
> prominent, especially when there were sticky pails or honey implements
> outside.
>
> This summer - hardly any.  A new (germanica) queen did start a nest again
> in my eave back in spring, but the colony never materialized.  Nor am I
> seeing the large quantities of foragers lurking around.  Maybe the bad
> winter limited the survival of queens.  (It sure would be interesting if
> some mites were found to be involved.)  I'm not complaining -- it's nice to
> be able to have a cookout without the unwanted guests.  Interesting to
> note, tho'...
>