Wasp building!

[Joe Rocket]

I had a surprise when I took the exhaust off my bike today. A numb wasp dropped to the floor of the garage. It is nesting time so I was wary of where it might have come from. I took some time, and my camera, to track said wasp and lo and behold it came back to a drain pipe on the rhs of the bike. The bike has been static for more than a month and now waiting for a new battery so no surprise it's been targeted, here's his photo. If you can't see it clearly then zoom in on the photo.

[bosnjo]

I guess it'd be better to completely remove that hose and properly clean it with compressor.

[Hugo Magnus]

If you fold the pink blanket up and place it under the bike, dowse it liberally with petrol and apply a match you will solve the problem.

[Rusty Nuts]

Igniting vstroms is only permitted in wet west Wales

[Joe Rocket]

Ah, just one useful suggestion. 

I'll trace the pipe back tommow and flush it out.

You just don't know where these little sods will look for a nesting place. There are several bees that use the gaps in T&G planks in my garage walls. 

But when all's said and done they are only trying to survive. 

[Rusty Nuts]

Does the airbox have a drain there? That'd be a luverly place to start a colony, all that space and paper for building material.

[Barbel Mick]

I can't really make it out but are you sure it's a Wasp and not a Solitary Bee? They are a similar size and have a striped body.
They lay eggs in holes, usually a few and block each one off with mud. They do that in the summer months and they are just hatching out now.
What I'm saying is, if it is then that breather pipe will possibly be blocked with mud, some will be left even if they hatch out. It does need removing and checking.
I've got a video of some in our garden somewhere, I'll post it if I can find it.

[TLPower]

It sounds like someone has too much time on their hands Mick.

Oh wait.

[Joe Rocket]

Definately a wasp Mick with a slim arse. I rigorously tapped the pipe and a larva fell out.

Don't post up the wrong video........... 

[brettchallenger]

I recall watching one of those aeroplane crash documetaries a while back.  In this one, wasps had made a nest in a pitot tube - one of those forward facing tubes on the side of the fuselage which determine the airspeed of the plane.  Sadly it led to the loss of the aircraft and all on board.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birgenair_Flight_301

[Ianmc]

Commonly known as a leaf bee or leaf cutter bee in the UK I reckon Mick.

[Joe Rocket]

If you google 'solitary wasp' you'll see what was in my breather pipe.

I tapped out another 4 larvae this morning.

[Barbel Mick]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwUMEZhvVeI&list=UUbZOCnxr7_kiADw4ORKJf0Q&index=2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbCEUC7BjHw&list=UUbZOCnxr7_kiADw4ORKJf0Q&index=1
Couple of videos of our Solitary Bees emerging from their 'nest'.
I wouldn't know the difference between a solitary bee and a solitary wasp by looking at them, Solitary is a generic name as there are hundreds of species of them.
All I know is the bees eat pollen and wasps are carnivores. They both pollinate plants so even the wasp has some use. The Solitary Bee won't sting you so don't go killing everything buzzing round your head at the BBQ. 

[Barbel Mick]

By the way Joe, those bits of cane are about 4" deep and I've watched six bees come out of one!! That breather of yours is a bit longer, I'd take it off (and any others) and make sure it's completely clear.......they should all be out in a couple of weeks anyway!   
Put the 'bike out in the sun to warm it up a bit, that'll speed them up. 

[Joe Rocket]

Your vids won't play Mick, a notice comes up saying they are 'private'. I told you not to put those up. 

 

[Barbel Mick]

Thanks Joe, not sure what happened there, they were showing as 'draft' and I couldn't find a way of altering it. Try again, see if these work..............

[Joe Rocket]

Very good, thanks Mick. Those bees aren't my wasp.

Mine looks like the rh one here:

https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/plants-animals-fungi/animals/invertebrates/invasive-invertebrates/wasps/other-wasps/solitary-wasps

[Barbel Mick]

Not too different from some flying around the 'bee house' but I've now read that bees have hairs on their legs and bodies to carry the pollen, wasps don't have hairs as they don't carry pollen.
Hope you get them all out without too much trouble.