During the summer months, wasps are out in full force, meaning it’s a lot more common for wasp stings to occur. We’re all told not to panic when one comes near, but it’s a natural instinct to swat them away to avoid being stung!
Whether you want to be prepared for if you do get stung or need to find out how to deal with wasp stings quickly, this article will tell you everything you need to know.
During the warmer months, you should try your best to prevent wasps from creating nests in your garden or around your house to avoid getting into a stinging situation.
If you do get a nest nearby, call for a professional wasp control company to get rid of it safely. Getting wasp nest removal is the best way to reduce the risk of getting stung by one, so make sure to check around your property for any nests.
How to treat a wasp sting
If you’ve never been stung before, you might wonder what to do if the time comes. Follow these steps carefully to treat the sting best you can:
Remove the stinger
Start by removing the stringer right away, you can do this by scraping it out carefully with an object like a credit card.
Wash the area
Once the stinger is gone, wash the area with warm water and soap to get rid of any bacteria or venom carried by the wasp.
Apply a cold pack
To help reduce the swelling and any pain, apply an ice or cold pack to the sting area. Do this in intervals of 10 minutes for around 30 minutes to an hour.
Medication
If there’s still some swelling or pain, take some ibuprofen to help.
Antihistamine
Depending on how far the sting spreads around the skin, the area may start to feel itchy. If this is the case, you should apply an antihistamine or calamine cream. This can also help with any pain caused by the sting.
When to visit a doctor
Wasp stings shouldn’t hurt for any longer than a day. If you notice continuous swelling or persistent pain in the area that lasts longer than a few days that means it could be infected, or you could be allergic.
The following symptoms may suggest you’re having a strong allergic reaction:
- Uncontrolled coughing and tickling in the throat
- Tightness or wheezing in the chest or throat
- Nausea or sickness
- Sweating
- Dizziness or fainting
- Hives over the body
If you have those symptoms, go to your doctor to discuss whether you may have a wasp allergy and talk about how to avoid getting wasp stings in the future.
If you were stung in the mouth, nose, or throat you should call 999 immediately in case it causes difficulty breathing.
How to prevent being stung
Wasps will only sting if they feel threatened, so it’s possible to avoid being stung by one! By understanding what attracts wasps, you’ll know what to avoid in order to prevent being stung.
Don’t panic or swat them
As hard as it may be, staying calm is the number one rule. Wasps sting when they feel threatened, so if you stay still or calmly walk away, they’ll have no reason to sting you! Plus, you might look a bit daft running and screaming around a park.
Avoid strong perfumes
Strong, sweet smells are known to attract wasps so it’s a good idea to leave the perfume at home if you’re planning on a picnic or heading somewhere that’s likely to have wasps nearby. This is also true when it comes to sweet-smelling shampoos and moisturisers.
Avoid bright colours
It’s known that bright colours attract insects, including wasps. Therefore, it might be clever to leave those bright red shorts at home if you’re venturing out to a garden or picnic.
Cover your food and drinks
When hosting barbecues, outdoor dining, or picnics, wasps must be considered. They’re going to find you whether you like it or not, so do your best to deter them by covering all food and drink where possible.
Open cans of fizzy drinks, beers, and ciders are renowned for attracting wasps, and once they’ve found their way in, they can’t get out, making it a real safety hazard. You don’t want to be swallowing a wasp!
Clean up
Are kids running around with sticky-sweet fingers from their jam sandwiches? Try to clean their fingers sooner rather than later to avoid attracting those wasps!
Hopefully this information has helped you understand what attracts wasps, what to avoid and how to react if you get stung by a wasp in the future. As long as you stay calm around them and follow these tips, your summer months should be sting-free!
