Harmless Wasps Invade Skidmore

Now THAT's a big wasp nest.

Another Mexican Honey Wasp nest was recently spotted in Skidmore. Butch Owen and Ray Burris informed the Signal of the nest, which appears to be at least 3 feet long and is located high in a tree at the corner of Refugio and 1st Street near the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. A similar nest was found a few months ago, about 3 blocks south, on the property of Orlando Olivares.

Here's what the Texas Cooperative Extension Office has to say about the wasps in their October 6, 2006 newsletter:

MEXICAN HONEY WASP INFORMATION REQUESTS
There must be an increase in the number of Mexican honey wasp nests observed based on the number of calls received recently about their presence. The species, Bachygastra Mellifica, stores honey similar to honey bees. Specimens are much smaller than honey bees and are wasp-like in appearance. They are yellow and black, much smaller than other wasps generally encountered, construct enclosed paper nests generally shaped like a football or basketball, and the nest is usually entwined around several branches in shrubs and trees. The honey wasp is a very docile species, and there is no need to remove its nest unless it is in a very sensitive area.