Are Wasps Dangerous? Understanding Stings and Nest Disturbance in East Goscote
Most of us instinctively swat at a wasp, but flailing is one of the surest ways to be stung, and it makes much more difference near a nest than at a picnic.
The instinct that works against you
When a wasp buzzes close to your face, the natural reaction is to bat it away. It is a natural reaction and it is also the one most likely to end with a sting. A wasp that is hit but not killed is often angry and frightened, and it may sting in defence. Quick waving movements are also easily read as a threat.
This is general advice. It does not replace first aid or medical care if you are stung.
Think about the last time you were stung. Chances are you were moving quickly, perhaps carrying something or in the middle of a conversation, and you did not see the wasp until it was on you. Slowing down is what changes the outcome, and it is something you can teach yourself and others in a couple of minutes.
It is not that wasps never sting when you stay calm. They can, particularly if you trap one against skin, sit on it or put a hand on it. But calm behaviour removes most of the avoidable stings.
What to do when a wasp lands on you
The calmer option feels strange at first but it works.
- Stay still for a moment, or move very slowly. Wasps have no interest in you, and most will wander off.
- If it is on your skin or clothing, gently brush it away with a slow, steady movement, or let it crawl onto a leaf or a piece of paper.
- Move away from sweet food and drinks, bins and anything that attracted it.
- If it follows you, walk away steadily without running.
Children can learn the same approach as a game: freeze, then walk away slowly.
If a wasp gets into the house or the car, open a window and let it find its way out. Turn off the radio, keep passengers calm and, if driving, pull over safely rather than swatting at it with one hand on the wheel. In the house, a glass and a piece of card can lift a wasp out of a room without a fuss, and then it can be released outside.
Why killing wasps near a nest does not help
There is a common belief that crushing a wasp near others makes the rest more aggressive. Whatever the truth of that, there is a good practical reason to avoid swatting near a nest or a busy eating area. A wasp that is hit may sting in defence, and a swat that misses simply leaves an angry insect in your hair or clothing.
The practical advice is simple. Do not swat near a nest, and do not kill the wasps gathering around an entrance in the hope of thinning them out. It will not reduce the colony, which keeps producing workers, and it may bring more of them out to respond.
Panic near a nest
If you come across a nest by accident, the aim is to leave quietly. Wasps near their entrance are often already on alert, so sudden movements and noise raise the risk of an attack.
- Do not wave your arms or run in a zigzag.
- Do not crouch down or cover your head and stay where you are. Move away.
- Walk steadily out of the area, ideally indoors or into a vehicle.
- Shut doors and windows behind you.
- Check yourself and anyone with you for stings once you are safe.
If you are stung several times, wash the areas, use cold packs and keep watch. Call 999 for swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheeze or difficulty breathing, dizziness or a widespread rash.
In a village like East Goscote, where a lot of life happens in gardens and on drives, it is common to meet a nest while doing something ordinary, so these calm reactions are worth practising.
Afterwards, resist the urge to go back and have a look. Many people are stung twice because they return to check where the wasps came from. Note the position from a distance and call for help instead.
Traps, home remedies and do-it-yourself ideas
Some people try to deal with wasps at home with traps, rolled newspapers or other do-it-yourself ideas. Traps and baits can reduce a few wasps at a picnic table but they will not remove a nest. Attempting to hit or knock down a nest is more risky. A nest can hold between 2,000 and 10,000 or more wasps at its peak in August, and you will not be able to tell how many are inside.
The safer option is to avoid the area and let trained people deal with it.
Getting the nest dealt with
Wasps begin building from late April, depending on the weather, and a nest tends to be easier to deal with when it is found sooner. The fixed price for one nest is £95 per nest, and an additional nest on the same property costs £35 extra. There is no call-out charge. The price is confirmed over the phone before a technician visits, and nothing is done until you agree. Our technicians are trained and fully insured, we cover domestic and commercial premises, and we are open seven days a week with same-day service offered.
Phone 0116 214 9259 to book, or use the booking form on the contact page at any time. Tell us if anyone at the property is allergic to wasp stings so that we can take it into account, and ask about removing the empty nest.
On the day of the visit, stay indoors with doors and windows closed on the side nearest the nest, and keep children and pets inside as well. The technician will tell you when the area is clear. Resist the temptation to watch from close by, since the point is that nobody, including you, has to go near the nest.
If more wasps are still seen around the old entrance later, mention it to the technician rather than trying to deal with them yourself.
Wasps on your property in East Goscote?
Fixed price £95 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.