DEAR JOAN: We discovered a dead and gutted cat in our front yard recently.

The cat is a frequent visitor that sometimes sleeps in our plants and rocks. I”ve also seen it wandering around other streets in our neighborhood.

What do you think did this?

Tammy P.

San Jose

DEAR TAMMY: I sent your disturbing photo to some wildlife experts and we agree on three possible predators.

If the cat was killed at night, it was likely attacked by a great horned owl or a coyote. If it happened during the day, it was most likely a red-tailed hawk.

I”m inclined to go with a raptor because it would appear the culprit went after the heart and lungs. A coyote might not be as precise and would eat more of the animal, unless it was frightened away.

This is a good reminder that even though a cat is smart enough to avoid cars and knows to stay out of backyards with big dogs, they still are considered prey by the wild animals that share our space.

Please keep your cats indoors, or protected when they are outside.

DEAR JOAN: A recent column on wasps reminded me of two techniques for dealing with yellow jackets or the like, the second of which is my own.

Years ago the Loma Prietan Sierra Club newsletter had a suggestion for dealing with yellow jackets. “If one buzzes you, stay calm and brush it away with slow, gentle motions.” I thought this was very questionable, as any tactile contact can be threatening and result in stinging.

When I was a lad, I was stung 27 times by wasps while clearing a trail at a Boy Scout camp. As such, I”ve found a much better solution that I”ve been using for more than a half-century. If a bee or wasp lands on your arm, say, simply start blowing air gently at it, increasing the speed until you blow it off — and you will be able to do so for even a bumblebee.

The insect seems to sense this as just wind, and I have never been stung using this technique. Also, I”ve used it several times on others when wasps have landed on their shoulders or backs, where they can”t reach themselves.

It does require keeping your cool and resisting the urge to knock it away or even brush it off, but generally there is plenty of time as the insect initially isn”t there to sting you.

Peter Ross

San Jose

DEAR PETER: That is excellent advice, but even more important than your gentle breath is the part about staying calm.

Contrary to popular belief, bees and wasps aren”t buzzing around looking for someone to sting. They land on us in error, attracted by a certain aroma that we give off.

Usually, they figure out we”re not what they thought we were and fly off with no real encouragement. But if we start screaming, running and swatting at them, they get defensive and use their only weapon, their stinger.

If you think killing the insect is the way to save yourself some painful stings, think again. When injured, bees and wasps emit a pheromone that basically tells all the other bees or wasps around that a compatriot is in trouble and they need to fly into action. That”s when the real trouble starts.

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