Wasps stings

Wasp Stings

Wasp

A sting by a social or common wasp (also known as a yellow jacket) is a painful experience. It can be very upsetting and frightening for young children.
Wasp stings may even be life threatening to people allergic to the poison in stings. This allergic reaction is known as anaphylaxis.


People who have been stung several times previously and have become sensitised are more likely to suffer this systemic reaction.
The good news is that this type of allergic reaction is rare and it is even rarer for it to be fatal.
Wasps, like bees and hornets, are equipped with a stinger as a means of self-defense. A wasp’s stinger contains poisonous venom that is transmitted to humans during a sting. Wasps can sting more than once during an attack because their stingers remain intact. (A bee can only sting once, as the stinger of a bee becomes stuck in the skin of its victim.) However, even without leaving the stinger behind, wasp venom can cause pain and irritation

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Preventing Wasp Stings

Tips to Avoid Stings

A wasp sting is a form of defence. If wasps feel threatened or if their nest is disturbed it makes them very aggressive and provokes them to sting.

In spring wasps hunt aphids, greenfly and other insects to feed grubs in the nest. At this time wasps will only become aggressive if they think their nest or their young are under threat.

In late summer/autumn wasps have no young to feed so get no sugary secretion. This is when they seek fermenting fruit and sweet things and become more of a pest at picnics, barbecues and outdoor meals in general.

Luckily there are some easy, practical things you can do yourself to try and avoid being stung.

• Do not panic - If you find there are wasps nearby keep calm and move slowly away.
  
• Do not scream, flap your arms or swat them - This will just agitate them and make them more aggressive.
  
• Avoid strong, sweet smells - Do not use highly perfumed fragrances, shampoos, hair sprays.
  
• Avoid bright colours - Do not wear bright, bold floral patterns on clothes and bags, which could attract wasps.
  
• Avoid orchards - Or any soft fruit plants and even uncovered bins, where wasps gather seeking food.
  
• Avoid open drinks - If drink cans or bottles are left unattended, it may encourage wasps to crawl inside.
• Cover food and drink - Always keep food and drink covered when eating outdoors to deter wasps.
  
• Stay clean - Ensure children’s hands/faces are cleaned after eating sweet foods/drinks.
  

Treatments for Wasp Stings

It is difficult to know how you might react to a wasp sting, if you have never been stung before.
There are some practical things you can do to help with any pain you might feel

• Use a cold compress such as an ice-pack or cold flannel.
• Take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to soothe any pain.
• Take antihistamine tablets to reduce any small localised swelling around the sting.

If itching or skin irritation becomes bothersome, use hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to control the discomfort. Baking soda and colloidal oatmeal are additional ingredients that are soothing to the skin, and can be used in the bath or through medicated skin creams
If you are in any doubt about a wasp sting please consult a doctor or medical professional.

The allergic reaction anaphylaxis can occur when someone becomes sensitised to the poison in the sting. It is a rare reaction but can be fatal.

If someone has the following symptoms after being stung, immediately call for an ambulance:

• difficulty breathing
• wheezing
• vomiting
• nausea or diarrhoea
• feeling faint or dizzy
• swollen face or mouth
• problems swallowing

Wasp trap

Place the following ingredients inside a bottle 

• 2 cups of sugar 
  
• 2 cups of water 
  
• 1/2 cup of white vinegar 
  
• 1/4 banana peel 
  

• Drill a 1" hole in the bottle 
  
• Put the ingredients into it 
  
• Hang the bottle with a string at the end of the garden to draw wasps away from the house 

Click here for a simple effective wasp trap you can make at home