The Running Thread - 2026

[TiggerTrigger]

@avondale 's gnat encounter reminded me that we're about to experience wasp and hornet season here.

Does anyone else encounter this where they are and have a solution? Every year, I seem to get chased a couple of times a week from about mid April to early June. It's not an every day thing and I can't even see the nests they're defending as it's all wooded. It's usually the worst shortly after sunrise through mid morning. Last year, I encountered a woman who got stung. I even had a hornet latch itself to my thigh one day. Thankfully, it was on top of my shorts in a pocket area where I had thicker coverage. I could feel it trying to sting me but no venom made it through. Freaked me out when I slapped my hand onto my thigh and felt a larger insect body. And people wonder why I'm good with the snakes I routinely encounter!

I can't exactly go around with a big can of wasp spray. Peppermint oil can deter nest building and I could dab some on like minty perfume, but I don't know if it will stop their nest defense reactions. Any suggestions?

 

[The Expert]

@avondale 's gnat encounter reminded me that we're about to experience wasp and hornet season here.

Does anyone else encounter this where they are and have a solution? Every year, I seem to get chased a couple of times a week from about mid April to early June. It's not an every day thing and I can't even see the nests they're defending as it's all wooded. It's usually the worst shortly after sunrise through mid morning. Last year, I encountered a woman who got stung. I even had a hornet latch itself to my thigh one day. Thankfully, it was on top of my shorts in a pocket area where I had thicker coverage. I could feel it trying to sting me but no venom made it through. Freaked me out when I slapped my hand onto my thigh and felt a larger insect body. And people wonder why I'm good with the snakes I routinely encounter!

I can't exactly go around with a big can of wasp spray. Peppermint oil can deter nest building and I could dab some on like minty perfume, but I don't know if it will stop their nest defense reactions. Any suggestions?

They hate clove oil, and we use a mixture of that with soapy water in spray bottles to deter them from our decks and patio in summer. You could treat a bandana/hat/something you're wearing with that and maybe even carry a small spray bottle or squirt gun in case they still come at you?

 

[The Expert]

I just scored a HUGE deal on my favorite running shoes. I snagged these beauties at REI for nearly half price!



Brooks Hyperion Max 3: $200
-$40 REI member coupon for 20% off a full price item
-$25 REI gift card for taking a survey a few months ago
-$27.29 Member rewards from 2025 spending

Total cost after tax and shipping: $107.71