Pests we wish would buzz off
T’S that time of the year again, when wasps become public enemy number one – but I am sure they are not the only ones that get swatted.
In the blind panic to avoid over-friendly wasps, people will mistake harmless bees and hoverflies for their nemesis.
Poor buzzers just flying around looking for food and pollen and doing something great for us all get a whack.
I understand that some people do go into a complete meltdown when approached by a wasp and, at this time of year, they are particularly annoying.
It’s all down to them being booted out of the nest by the queen, so they are bored and looking for trouble.
After a summer of killing pests and pollinating plants they really do get a bad reputation and are persistent in trying to get to sweet things in your kitchen.
The common wasp has a black-and yellow-striped body, with an obvious waist between the thorax and abdomen.
It has a characteristic black anchor mark on its face.
They are pretty distinctive but people will still mistake the honey bee for the wasp despite some obvious differences.
The honey bee is more compact and is black and gold in colour, compared to the black and yellow wasp.
Honey bees will be concentrating on you flowers at this time of year and will only come into contact if you are in their way as they are heading to the next bloom.
Looking a bit like a honey bee, but with bigger eyes, is the hoverfly.
The hoverfly has a rounded, black body with a pattern of yellow spots and bands.
There is a large group of very similar hoverflies that can be found in a variety of habitats.
Many hoverflies are very difficult to identify, requiring a microscope to look at tiny characteristics, such as the shape of the veins in the wings.
The common banded hoverfly creates a hum when nesting, by vibrating its wings, which is sure to terrify lots of softies.
So with all these insects buzzing around, it can be difficult to spot the difference.
You need to breathe, take a second and check what kind of visitor is in your space.
You will realise that the wasp is a lot more persistent than the others, so don’t panic, waft it away slowly or move sugary drinks out of its reach.
On the other hand, watch out for the cider drinkers at your local pub and you will see women sprinting for cover when a wasp appears.
Men, alternatively, will attempt to last just that bit longer before the sheer terror appears on their face and they dance around like manic air traffic controllers.
Ten minutes later the men will deny their wasp fright.
Soon they will be gone for another year and in spring they will be doing their wonderful work, pollinating plants for the rest of us to enjoy.
IN our weekly Time-Trip feature we publish a set of pictures taken by our photographers which have appeared in the paper in years gone by.
This week our TimeTrip feature takes a look back at what was happening in and around Helmshore in 2006.
Our top photo this week was taken at Rosemount WMC in Rawtenstall where pro Allan Wise presented trophies to Haslingden and Helmshore Ladies Darts league.
Our next photo , on the right, is of Helmshore Royal British Legion.
The Rossendale Free Press pub of the week in March 2006 was the Station Hotel.
Our bottom right photo shows some regulars celebrating.
Our final photo this week, ont he bottom left, is of Amelia Bell-Bentley (aged 14 at the time) walking in the Saint Thomas’ rose queen procession in Helmshore.
» If you have any pictures you would like us to feature here, send them to communities @ menmedia.co.uk or submit them via our Facebook page.