Wednesday, April 30, 2008

An Expensive (but effective!) Wasp Killer

I rarely have to put gas in my car; I just don't drive that much these days. I got to the gas station today on fumes and proceeded to swipe my credit card at the pump. This is the second time I've had to by gasoline since we moved, and both times the pump has asked for my zip code before authorizing my card. I tried the new zip code. The pump was not pleased. I swiped again, then tried the old zip code. The pump still was not happy. I tried a different card, and if pumps had the ability to giggle, this one would have worked itself up to a full belly laugh. I was running late but out of options--so went inside the store to wait in the cashier's line.

After finally managing to successfully pay for some gasoline I hurried back to my car and opened the little door to the gas cap.


Why on earth a wasp would want to build a nest inside the little gas-cap door on my car was beyond me, but there was no way I was going to stick my hand anywhere near him to twist off the gas cap. I looked around for something to swat at it, then realized in order to hit it hard enough so that I didn't have to worry about it surviving and stinging me, I'd have to hit it hard enough to more than likely break off the little door. Not a story I wanted to tell the guy at the repair shop.

What to do? I was running really late by this time, and stranded until I figured out a way to get gas into the tank. So I lifted the gas nozzle, activated the pump, then held and aimed the nozzle at the wasp as though it was a pistol. BANG! (or maybe GUSH!) Instant death. At almost $3.70 a gallon, I figure that wasp cost me about $1.