mack1

Hi sandman,

I haven't seen a yellow jacket this year and we are in late summer this side of the equator. Nor have I seen a honey bee. Something is killing the honey bees and they can't figure out what. It might be killing the yellow jackets as well. I've never encountered a hive of killer bees but they say that they have migraged into Texas now.
I've seen no news broadcasts about them this year, so they may be dieing off also. I followed your link on the European wasps and they look very similar to our common yellow jacket. They may be the same species.

Woody44 is right on target about them attacking you at the nest. Normally their sting is not as bad as a wasp, but hurts bad enough. I wasn't aware that they left a smell so the others could join the hunt and unlike honey bees, they can sting more than once.

Hope you don't get stung.
Best regards,
Mack1