Wasp nest found in caboose

Crazy, man!  I've found them in weird places, but nothing like that.

I bet that created a buzz at the train show.

I wonder if that Caboose was used on a Garden Layout?  I think if  I were you I would go through the rest of the box outside… thanks for posting!

K.C.

That caboose looks like it has been sitting outside for at least a year.

 

Andrew

Very prototypical!

Yep, that's what happens when you store them in the garage or attic.

David, from your photo of the nest in your caboose, it looks more like a mud wasp nest than the paper wasps:

 

Mud wasp nest:

 

 

 

and the mud wasp:

 

 

 

paper wasp nest:

 

 

 

and paper wasp:

 

 

 

 

Mud wasp nests are usually made inside, like in old attics or barns.  I'm pretty familiar with them from the attic at the old farmhouse where I grew up, and where my dad's trains were stored.  I've had to clean the mud wasp nests out of some of his old tinplate trains as well.  The nests are literally made of mud, now dried and hard, and will crumble off if you crunch them; a moist cloth or sponge will wipe away the residue.   

 

The mud wasps are not at all as viscious as the paper wasps.  The mud wasps would kind of float around the attic and not bother us.  Paper wasps are deadly.

 

 

Paper Wasp! They are the worst here in Michigan. Really vicious insects. They seem to make nest over night. They are really sensitive to vibration and will come out and attack in droves.

I wait to night, spray it,cut the nest down, and burn it.

And I bet they did not buy a ticket, bunch of Hobo's.

Is this part of nature's weathering process?

Does look like a mud wasp nest, anything stored in garage or attic can become a nest for hornets and paper wasps.  For safety in my garage I always have a can of bee spray ready to spray and a backup can ready too whenever opening up a box. Am I Paranoid you think? No, I found this out the hard way once. If one stings you the whole colony goes for you as you're a threat to their nest, their young, and their queen of the hive. Don't want to see anyone get nailed like I did that time. Thank God for lots of Benadryl at hospital that day.

Down south we call them "dirt dobbers"  They aren't near as mean as wasps!  They look like them but don't act like them.