Small wasp/bee nest, need for concern?

[Paul1]

Whilst in the loft today, I noticed a small paper nest, which looked much like this: http://www.hainaultforest.co.uk/WaspNestFlash1.jpg

Nothing came out from it, and it has been a bitterly cold winter and still is cold. What is this, is it alive or dead, and is it related to wasps or bees?

I need to do work up there but have a fear of wasps, and to a lesser extent bees, so I'm thinking of forcing someone else to go up there and remove it.

However, if it's related to bees I'd rather just put up with it for the sake of not helping to destroy an already in trouble bee population. If it's a hibernating queen bee's nest, will it develop into a fully fledged hive in the spring? Or will the queen just go off somewhere else? If a queen bee did fly out due to being disturbed by me, is there much of a danger it will try to attack me, or is it more likely to flee/go back to sleep?

[triops]

Do not be concerned! This is the beginning of a wasp nest. It was started last spring by an overwintered queen and failed, as so many do, for a variety of reasons. There are no wasps in it. Take it carefully down (it is very fragile) and marvel at its construction. You may possibly lessen your unreasonable fear of wasps (and bees, probably) by finding out about their life history. They are fascinating animals!

[Paul1]

Ah cool. Well I heard that leaving the nest in place discourages other wasps and bees from settling in that area, so perhaps if it is dead we may just leave it.

I've never taken much of a liking to wasps, bloody aggressive creatures! But bees have always fascinated me, my father even wanted to have a nest but then married a woman deadly allergic to them!

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Paul1

I've never taken much of a liking to wasps, bloody aggressive creatures!

If you took more of a liking and interest you would see this is not the case.

[counterlady]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

If you took more of a liking and interest you would see this is not the case.

Thats an interesting statement Dogghound. The reason I say that is because I have a real fear of wasps - there can be loads of people around but no the wasp always comes for me - or so it seems. If it doesnt go away immediately I tend to run off with my hands in the air.

People have said that they can sense fear therefore that is why they always head in my direction - do you agree with that

[John_M]

Originally Posted by Paul1

Ah cool. Well I heard that leaving the nest in place discourages other wasps and bees from settling in that area, so perhaps if it is dead we may just leave it.

I've never taken much of a liking to wasps, bloody aggressive creatures! But bees have always fascinated me, my father even wanted to have a nest but then married a woman deadly allergic to them!

Wasps can be persistent if there's something sugary they want to get at, but I've never found them to be particularly aggressive, unless you're disturbing a nest; but that goes for most animals. If we're getting wasps in the garden I just smear a bit of jam round a container and leave it at the bottom of the garden; that usually keeps them occupied and out of the way.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by counterlady

Thats an interesting statement Dogghound. The reason I say that is because I have a real fear of wasps - there can be loads of people around but no the wasp always comes for me - or so it seems. If it doesnt go away immediately I tend to run off with my hands in the air.

People have said that they can sense fear therefore that is why they always head in my direction - do you agree with that

No.

Its probably just coincidence, once you start waving your hands and threating they can become agitated as they see you as a threat to them. Of the 9 species we have our two most common species tend to be our most short tempered giving the rest a bad name.