Are Wasps Dangerous? Understanding Stings and Nest Disturbance in Carlton
The instinctive reaction to a wasp, flapping and swatting, is exactly what makes a sting more likely, and a calmer approach works far better.
Why swatting backfires
When a wasp lands on your sandwich or circles your drink, the urge to swing at it is almost irresistible. It is also the most reliable way to get stung. A wasp that is hit but not killed will defend itself, and a wasp that is crushed can release chemical signals that attract others. Even a near-miss makes you look like a threat.
Wasps are not seeking a fight. Most of the time a wasp on a table is simply feeding, and it will move on if left alone.
It is worth saying that nobody is expected to be perfectly calm with a wasp on them. The aim is simply to do a little better than the instinctive swing, and that alone reduces stings.
Picnic spots near hedges, bins and flowering shrubs are the most likely to have wasps. Choose an open, breezy spot if you can, and keep food in sealed containers until you are ready to eat.
Wasps are less active in cool, damp weather, so they are less of a worry on those days.
What to do instead
Calm, slow behaviour is far more effective than a fight. Try these simple steps when a wasp comes close.
- Stay still, or move your hands slowly away from the wasp.
- Gently move away from the food or drink it is interested in.
- Keep sweet drinks covered and check cans and cups before sipping.
- Use a lid or a plate over food, and put out a small dish of something sweet away from the table as a distraction if you wish.
- If a wasp lands on you, wait or gently blow it away rather than brushing it off.
These habits take no effort once you are used to them, and they reduce stings dramatically.
A glass with a lid, or a drinking straw in a covered bottle, is a simple barrier. Even a small beaker with a beermat placed over it will stop most wasps.
If you want to give wasps something else to do, put a plate of overripe fruit at the far end of the garden, away from where people sit. Do not do this if it will draw them towards a path or a door.
Eating and drinking outdoors in late summer
August is when wasps become most noticeable at barbecues, beer gardens and picnics. The colony is at its biggest and there is a great deal of hunger to satisfy. Sugary drinks, ice cream, fruit and meat are all attractive.
Clear plates promptly, wipe sticky surfaces and use bins with tight lids. Keep children's drinks covered, perhaps using a straw and a lid, and encourage children to sit down to eat rather than run around with food. A wasp on an ice lolly is common and easy to avoid with a quick check before each bite.
Sticky bins and unwashed glasses outdoors are magnets. Rinse them or bring them in, and the number of wasps around your table will fall noticeably.
Clothes, scents and movements
Bright floral patterns and strong sweet perfumes can attract wasps. Loose clothing can trap one against your skin. Open sandals invite stings on bare feet in the grass, particularly where windfall fruit has fallen. None of this is a reason to stay indoors; it simply helps to be aware.
If you accidentally trap a wasp in clothing, stay as calm as you can, move away from other people, and release it carefully. Panic leads to rapid movements, which lead to stings.
If your children are old enough, teach them a simple phrase like "freeze and let it fly". It gives them something to do instead of panicking.
Wasps also like warmth, so a sunny, sheltered wall can be a favourite resting place. If you see wasps clustering on a wall regularly, check for a nest nearby.
Cars, caravans and open windows.
Wasps can end up in vehicles, particularly if you park near bins or under fruit trees. A wasp inside a car is a real hazard because a startled driver can lose control. If you find one while driving, stay calm, slow down and pull over as soon as it is safe, then open windows and let it out. Do not swat at it while driving.
At home, a fly screen on an open window helps in summer. If a wasp does come in, open the window furthest from you, turn off the lights and let it find its way out. Closing the door of the room can help it leave by the window.
When the wasps are coming from somewhere
A few wasps at a picnic are normal. A constant stream of wasps arriving from the same direction is a hint that a nest is close. Look for wasps flying in a line to one point, such as a gap in a wall, a hole in the ground or a tree. Keep a safe distance and do not investigate.
If you find activity, move your seating well away and keep children and pets clear until a technician has dealt with it.
Booking help in Carlton
We cover Carlton, on the eastern side of Nottingham, and surrounding villages every day of the week, with same-day service offered. A nest is treated for a fixed £95 per nest by a trained, fully insured technician, with no call-out charge. Another nest on the same property is £35 extra. We confirm the price on the phone before the visit, and no work starts without your agreement.
Speak to us on 0115 937 5117 or use the contact page form to request a visit. Please tell us if anyone is allergic to wasp stings.
Wasps on your property in Carlton?
Fixed price £95 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.