Are Wasps Dangerous? Understanding Stings and Nest Disturbance in Barnsley
The first ten seconds after a nest is disturbed matter most, and the instinctive reactions of freezing, fighting or sprinting wildly are the ones that lead to more stings.
The mistake: fighting or fleeing blindly
When wasps pour out of a nest, people tend to react in one of two ways. Some stand and fight, waving their arms and hitting out. Others bolt without looking, straight through a hedge, along a path or down a step. Both make a bad moment worse. Fighting angers the wasps, and blind running leads to falls and brings you no further from the colony.
A rehearsed response is better than instinct, so it is worth reading this before you ever need it.
The first ten seconds
- Move away at once, in the direction you came from, as that path is known to be clear.
- Keep your arms close to your body. Do not wave or swat.
- Protect your face and neck if you can, with a hand or a jacket pulled up.
- Take children’s hands or pick them up as you move; they cannot judge the distance themselves.
- Head for a building or a car and shut the door behind you.
- Keep going until you are well away from the nest; wasps defending a nest can follow for a distance.
Once you are inside
Take stock calmly. Count who is with you, including pets, and look each person over. Stings are likeliest on the head, neck, hands and arms. Remove clothing if a wasp is caught in it, but do so gently, and let any insect that has come in leave through an open window.
Wash stings with soap and cool water, scrape out any visible sting and hold a cold pack on the area. Several stings can leave a person sore and shaky, which is normal. It is worth a call to your GP or pharmacist if someone has been stung many times or feels unwell. Call 999 for swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, dizziness or collapse, or a widespread rash.
What not to do afterwards
- Do not go back to collect tools, toys or washing. Retrieve them once the nest has been treated.
- Do not stand at a window poking at the nest with a stick.
- Do not allow children to go out to look.
- Do not try to deal with the nest the same day by yourself.
- Do not assume it is over; the wasps may stay agitated near the nest for some time.
Why wasps follow, and why they stop
A disturbed nest releases alarm signals that draw more wasps to the spot. This is why the response seems to grow rather than fade in the first few seconds. A wasp that has been alerted will fly after the cause of the trouble, often for some distance, and some are surprisingly persistent.
The good news is that the chase does not go on indefinitely. Once you are out of sight and well clear of the nest, most wasps return to it. Being indoors, with a closed door, ends the encounter quickly. The aim, then, is not to outrun them but to break contact and put a barrier between you and them.
Cars are ideal for this, because they are enclosed, close quickly and are usually close to hand. Wind up the windows and wait for a few minutes, and remove any wasps that came in with you once you are in a safe place and the door is open.
If you already know a nest is present, you can plan a retreat in advance. Decide which route is clear of obstacles, and which door you would use. Keep paths free of toys, hoses and trip hazards.
- Pick a door you can reach in a few steps from the area near the nest.
- Keep that door unlocked and easy to open in summer.
- Tell all adults and older children what the retreat route is.
- Do not carry anything awkward when you pass the nest.
- Avoid the area altogether if possible until the technician has visited.
A plan only needs to be simple. What matters is that every member of the household is told, so nobody has to improvise.
Afterwards, talk it through. Children who have been frightened may be anxious about going outside for a while, and a calm explanation that the nest is being dealt with by someone trained helps them regain confidence. Reassure them without making light of what happened.
If you are the one who stays calm, others will follow. In a family group, one person who speaks quietly and gives clear directions, such as “this way, indoors, now”, does more good than a crowd of people shouting. Children in particular look to the nearest adult to know how frightened to be.
Dealing with the nest properly
Once everyone is safe, the nest is still there, and the sensible next step is to have it treated. Wasp Exterminator Leeds covers Barnsley and the surrounding area, and treats each nest for a fixed £90, with £35 for an additional nest on the same property. We charge no call-out fee, work seven days a week and can offer same-day service.
We look after domestic and commercial properties, our technicians are trained and the work is fully insured. The price is confirmed over the phone before anyone visits, and nothing goes ahead without your agreement. If anyone who was stung is known to be allergic, or if you simply want us to be aware of a vulnerable person at home, say so when you book. The number is 0113 347 0014, and there is a booking form on the contact page. Tell us where the nest is, and where you were standing when it was disturbed, so the technician knows what to expect.
Wasps on your property in Barnsley?
Fixed price £90 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.