Wasps – Safety Advice
As the summer months approach, wasps will increasingly cause problems in our homes and businesses. This article looks at how we can lessen the chance of being stung while we’re out and about | Wasp control Doncaster.
The warmer weather encourages us outdoors to enjoy our gardens and various leisure activities, which inevitably brings us in to contact with wasps. There are a few simple things that we can do in order to prevent attracting wasps and minimise the chance of a painful sting.
Smells – Wasps will be attracted to perfumes, aftershaves, hairspray etc. and will home in on us to investigate these scents. Therefore it might not be the best idea to cover ourselves in scents before we undertake gardening tasks. In fact we should be using insect repellents which can be effective in keeping wasps at bay. Rubbish bins will also attract the attention of wasps where they will home in on the rubbish or the residues that are spilled in and around the bin. It is therefore sensible to ensure that bins are regularly cleaned out and that rubbish is placed inside bags before being put inside the bin. Feeding our pets outside will also attract the attention of wasps, which will put our pets at risk of being stung. It is recommended that feed bowls are kept indoors and regularly cleaned out.
Colour – There are certain colours that are more attractive to wasps. These include white and yellow, so it would be better to avoid these colours if we are thinking of enjoying a day outdoors.
Food – BBQ’s and picnics are prime activities that will attract the unwelcome attention of wasps. Always keep drink cans and bottles covered between drinks as there is a risk that wasps will enter these and potentially sting us when we take our next drink. In beer gardens and outdoor eating areas, wasp pots can be suspended that contain attractive baits which considerably reduce their nuisance. During late summer and early autumn, windfall fruit will act as an attractant to wasps. When laying fruit ferments it produces alcohol. When ingested by the wasps it can make them even more aggressive so it is advisable to clear away all fallen fruit.
Gardening – Our gardening activities such as mowing, hedge cutting, pruning, strimming and digging can be risky if we inadvertently disturb a wasp nest. It is the vibration that will make the wasps guarding their nest attack. It is therefore advisable that a quick survey of the garden is undertaken and if a nest is discovered then a wide berth should be given. Some people have suffered multiple stings when accidentaly cutting through a wasp nest.
Vehicles – Before setting off in a vehicle always give the interior a quick once over just in case a wasp has been trapped inside. There are road accidents every year where people have panicked and crashed due to wasps being inside the vehicle.
If a wasp nest is discovered in the home, business or garden then the best way to reduce the chance of being stung is to have the wasp nest professionally treated. At Kestrel Pest Management we provide a professional wasp control service to the homes and businesses of Doncaster.
