Wednesday, May 5, 2010

The new clothes line aka manufactured wasp nesting sanctuary

I finally replaced the clothes line (aka clothes tree or clothes umbrella in some parts for the universe).  The old one was, well, old.  Then, the tree limb fell on it.  I followed all the directions putting it up.  I even used a level to be sure the base was straight.  And:


It's a little crooked.  It looks better from this view.



I got it at Home Depot.  This one-and-only-model-available is strangely short.  To use the inside lines, I need to bend down.  My last one was taller.

My  real concern is that there are rows and rows of holes in the  pole.  You push it up like an umbrella and it falls into a set of holes.  I understand that some people might not be strong enough to push it up really tightly and that the plastic lines might loosen over time so that you could push it up another notch.   Consequently, it is reasonable to have several sets of holes to accommodate these circumstances.  But the majority of the center pole IS holes.  I started counting them but stopped at 43--yes,  there are more that 43 sets of holes on the center pole.   In my neck of the woods, that qualifies it as an official wasp nesting sanctuary.  I have a sinking feeling that I will be battling the little stingers all summer.  A few years ago I had to tape over holes in the base of some new patio chairs that were attracting the wasps.  Taping up 43 plus holes multiplied by the 3 sides would be a monumental task.  Besides, I don't relish looking at peeling tape for the next ten years. It's annoying enough to keep up with the tape on the chairs.

Lesson learned:  If you're buying something for the yard, make sure the wasps are not going to like it as well.

2 comments:

  1. thanks for the visit :) it is so nice when you have a chance to read and a lazy week at home like I've been having is perfect for that!

    that is a bit of an odd looking clothes line- and if it's got 43 homes for wasps in it, it sounds like you may be better off with another system, good luck finding one :)

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  2. Yeah, I just know I am going to have to replace it. For some reason, here in upstate New York, there are very few options available. Perhaps it is because our warm weather season is so short.

    I am just going to have to insist that my husband and I have a road trip to a warmer climate to buy a better clothes line. Any excuse to get to the Carolinas!

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