"Natural" paper tinder!

[Ogri the trog]

Inspired by a recent thread on wasps, I had a bit of a brainwave.....
A few years ago we had a big wasps nest in our loftspace which I treated and removed. I stored it outside for a while to be sure it was vacant, then the kids took it into school for a show and tell session, then back into the shed where I forgot about it.
Last night I thought about using it as a source of tinder.... and suprising good it turn out to be. Its not brilliant at taking an ember, but mixed with other materials it certainly burns for a long while, something akin to cotton wool and a small dab of vaseline. The nest was about the size of a basketball so I think theres enough for a few fires.
I don't advocate that folk grab handfulls of live nests to start a fire (though the exercise running away would definately keep you warm!) but if your having a nest destroyed, or come across a vacant one in winter - its worth keeping in mind its alternative uses!
I also remember using wasp grubs as a bait when fishing as a kid!

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[bloodline]

When the father in law knocked a wall out to fit patio doors he found a nest that had been exterminated a few tears before (not removed coz at the time they needed the wall) and it was the shape of the cavity and the size of a small car tyre not the normal round jobbie.