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Wasp
Wasp
Wasps, of the order Hymenoptera, are winged insects with a narrow waist that separates the thorax from the abdomen. They also have a sting, the feature most familiar to us. They have biting mouthparts and females can paralyze prey with their sting. There are two types of wasps.
The first type, ‘social wasps’, form colonies and only use their stingers for defence. The other type of wasp, ‘solitary wasp’ form the largest sub-group of wasp and have some of the largest varieties of wasps. These wasps rely on their stings for hunting purposes. They create their nests from chewing wood fibre into a pulp and fashioning it into coarse papery structures.
Most wasps are carnivorous, feeding on spiders, grubs, and other insects. They are therefore beneficial in that they keep other insect populations in check.
Signs of Wasp Nests
If you are experiencing high numbers of wasps in your home or garden there is likely to be a nest nearby, either on your property, in your garden or very close by.
A mature Wasp nest can contain thousands of wasps.
It is important to treat a wasp nest early to reduce the threat of a wasp sting, which can be very painful and even cause an allergic reaction.
Wasp Prevention Tips
Early treatment of a wasp nest will help to keep you and your family safe from painful stings.
Making changes to your behaviour and how you handle food and drink outdoors can also help to deter this stinging pest.
- Check for nests - Check your home and garden in early spring for nests, early on they will be walnut or golf ball in size - early small nests have fewer wasps and are easier to treat quickly. Look for nests in lofts, garages, sheds, cavity walls or under eaves.
- Secure bins - Ensure outside bins have tightly fitting lids. Keep bins at a distance from doors and windows so wasps are not attracted to the contents.
- Keep windows and doors shut - To prevent wasps entering inside your home.
- Keep safe - If you have spotted a nest, make sure you keep children and pets away from the area.
Although high numbers of wasps in your home or garden almost certainly means there is a nest nearby, removing wasp nest may not always be a possible solution.
If the nest is not on your property, you will have very limited control on what you can do to remove it.
Nests located in confined, hard-to-reach areas (such as cavity walls) will also be more difficult to treat.
How to Prevent Wasps
Prevention is key if you want to avoid problems with wasps, especially during the summer months when they are most active.
It is always easier to prevent a problem before it happens, rather than to wait for wasps to invade your home or garden. The fear of a wasp sting can be so great that it can prevent some people from going outdoors.
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 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
Preventing Wasp 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.
Types of Wasp and Bee
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