I dropped Jeanine off at the airport this afternoon. She is headed to Greece, where she will spend 4 days in Athens before taking the ferry to Aegina. There she will be staying with her friend Maile at a vacation home in Perdika through the first week of September.

The southern yellowjacket (Vespula squamosa) is known for its notably aggressive behavior, especially when its nest is disturbed or threatened, and it can coordinate group attacks using alarm pheromones released by individuals in the colony. This species is recognized as having a “shorter fuse” than other yellowjacket types, often attacking more quickly and aggressively, particularly in late summer and fall when food scarcity and high colony populations amplify their defensiveness. Even a minor disturbance near their underground nest can provoke a swarm response, with multiple individuals joining in defense and stinging repeatedly without losing their stingers.

While spreading the last of the wood chips, I managed to disturb such a population of yellowjackets and suddenly found myself under attack. I set a new personal best speed record while retreating and simultaneously swatting at the marauders that were already on me. Fortunately, I only sustained four stings, but they are quite painful. After licking my wounds, I returned to the nest with a pint of gasoline, which I poured into their underground burrow. Admittedly, it was more an act of retribution than remediation, but I felt quite pleased with my counter offensive and justified it as necessary to protect neighbors who might be attacked while walking a dog who stumbled upon the nest.

I have decided not to risk further confrontation with the yellowjackets, and I am done spreading wood chips for the season. The remaining 1/2 ton will be left in a small pile for future use.