I've been violated - twice

[Munchkin]

Something is living in my hay and I would like to know what.

I was stung yesterday; had a numb, tingly arm for the best part of the day. Thing is, I didn't feel it when it happened, which made me wonder if it WAS a sting...

Carried some more hay round from the barn today and had it resting against my thigh for leverage. Got home, had a shower and found another sting - only this time, the sting itself was still in my leg. Again, I didn't feel it happen.

I don't appreciate having things stuck in me without my consent. My thigh is going numb as I type.

What IS living in my hay?

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

Could it be a thistle thorn that you are having an allergic reaction to? When I used to help my friend out at her yard, she had a few bales of hay that had thorns in it and I was always getting them in me. They are really small and thin like stingers and a b*gger to get out too!

 

[Munchkin]

Hmm no, been "thistle thorned" many a time! These are short, black stings. There's definitely venom in them which spreads around 6 inches in diameter around the sting site. Eeevil.

 

[SpruceRI]

Ewwww - what a horrible thought - that some critter is lurking in your hay waiting to inject you!

No idea what it could be though - sorry (

 

[Toast]

*shudder!!!* ooooffff how horrible!!
Im not going to be able to touch my haylage tomorrow now

ETA: sorry nothing constructive to add
x

 

[skewby]

Omg no idea but wondered is it safe to feed it??!!

 

[Munchkin]

Ponies don't seem to be affected. Suppose whatever it is/they are will get munched. I am a sensitive being, it's probably nothing that sinister.

 

[HollyWoozle]

I was thinking a lot about what it could be, googled about a bit (to no avail) and then I went for a bath and discovered a really weird bug bite on my leg!! Bugs are taking over!

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

It's baby velocoraptors. It's a well known fact that they spend their first winter hibernating in hay bales. I'd watch over your shoulder though, for the PARENT.

 

[Munchkin]

Don't be so silly - they don't sting

 

[Shay]

Lots of bees and hibernating wasps are coming out just now. It could be something like that. Both Bumbles and white tailed bees hibernate in hay and straw. Ichnemon wasps hibernate in rotten wood and have a truely impressive sting. Although the fact that the stinger was left in you suggests a bee - wasps stings retract.

Try using a bailing fork to turn over your hay pile and see if you have a bit of a nest under there. (Don't do it with your hands!) Bees are a protected species and you cannot kill them so if you do find a nest cover it back up and call your local bee group to come and get it for you.

Bumbles are normally solitary but can hibernate in groups so you may only find one or two. If you only find bumbles leave the hay turned over or out in the sun if you can and they'll make thier own way off.

 

[Munchkin]

Shay - I have only ever been stung by a wasp in the past and it bloody hurt! Yet these, I don't feel. Is it possible that bee stings wouldn't hurt? Clutching at straws somewhat with the next Q, is their venom not as strong when coming out of hibernation?

The hay is stacked 5 bales high and 7 bales deep under a sheet of tarpaulin - be difficult to look. Will be more careful though!