Are Wasps Dangerous? Understanding Stings and Nest Disturbance in Meanwood
By late summer wasps seem to be everywhere around food and drink, and that is when a hidden nest nearby matters most.
The barbecue that turned into a retreat
It is a warm August afternoon. The table is laid out with burgers, juice, ice lollies and a bowl of fruit. Within minutes, wasps arrive. They land on plates, crawl into cans and hover near the children. One person is stung on the lip after taking a swig from a can. The party moves indoors.
This is a familiar scene, and one that people in Meanwood, a suburb of Leeds, and elsewhere often meet each year. It prompts a fair question: are the wasps simply a nuisance at the table, or is something more serious happening nearby?
Why wasps crowd around food in late summer
Through summer the colony grows, and numbers peak around August. Workers go out to find food for the colony, and they are drawn to sweet drinks, ripe fruit and cooked meat. The more wasps a nest produces, the more of them turn up at an outdoor meal.
A handful of wasps at a picnic is normal and usually harmless if left alone. A constant stream, or wasps arriving from the same direction all afternoon, suggests a nest within reach of the garden. If you see them flying away in a straight line with food, follow the direction with your eye, not your feet.
The risks at the table
The main danger at an outdoor meal is not the wasps landing on food but being stung through carelessness. A wasp inside a can or a cup can sting the lip, mouth or throat, which is much more worrying than a sting on an arm because of the swelling that can follow. Children running about with ice lollies and sticky hands are also a target.
- Pour drinks into cups and keep them covered, or use a straw with a lid.
- Look into a can or glass before you drink.
- Cover dishes, and clear scraps promptly.
- Keep bins closed and away from the seating area.
- Stay calm if a wasp lands; move slowly and do not swipe.
If someone is stung in the mouth
A sting in or near the mouth or throat needs prompt attention because swelling in that area can affect breathing. Call 999 if there is swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing or swallowing, wheezing, dizziness or a rash across the body. For something minor on the outer lip, wash it and use a cold pack, and stay with the person for a while.
This is general guidance and not a substitute for medical advice. Anyone with a known allergy should talk to their GP in advance and tell hosts and friends what to do.
Planning an outdoor meal with wasps about
If the nest cannot be treated before your event, there are ways to keep the occasion going without turning it into a battle. The aim is to reduce what draws wasps to the table and keep people away from the area where they are coming from.
Choose the position of the table carefully. Place it on the far side of the garden from where you have seen wasps flying, ideally in a spot with a bit of breeze. Avoid putting it next to bins, compost, fruit trees or a wall with a nest in it.
Then consider how you serve.
- Bring out food in stages, and keep the rest indoors.
- Use lidded jugs and cups with covers; avoid open cans and bottles.
- Put out a small decoy of sweet food well away from the guests, if you wish, though this is no substitute for dealing with a nest.
- Wipe tables and children’s hands promptly after eating.
- Take plates and leftovers inside as soon as people have finished.
- Keep rubbish bags tied and bins closed.
If guests include a person with a known allergy, make sure they and the adults nearby know what to do. Ask them whether they would rather eat indoors, and respect the answer.
If wasps do arrive in numbers, resist the urge to swat. Calmly move food indoors, ask everyone to move slowly, and take a short break. Often the wasps drift away once food is out of sight.
The comfortable way to enjoy a garden in late summer is to know the nest has gone. Until then, a little care with food and drink, and a clear idea of where not to go, keeps stings to a minimum.
Stopping the wasps coming back
You can move the party to the other side of the garden, but if the wasps keep arriving, the answer is dealing with the nest. Wasp Exterminator Leeds treats nests for a fixed price of £90, with £35 for each additional nest at the same property. There is no call-out charge and the team is available every day of the week, with same-day service offered for both homes and businesses. Training is part of the job for our technicians, and cover is fully in place for the work.
We confirm the price on the phone before any visit and do nothing without your approval. If you prefer to talk, call 0113 347 0014; if not, the contact page has a form. Let us know if anyone has a sting allergy.
It is also worth teaching children to drink from cups with a lid or a straw, and to check a drink before each sip. Lollies and ice creams are a particular draw, so have children finish them at the table with a wipe ready, not while running about. Small habits like these make a real difference during the weeks when wasps are most active, and they cost nothing.
Finally, if the same garden is troubled every year at the same point in summer, take that as a sign to look for the nest early next season, in spring, before it grows. Spotting a small one in May is far easier than coping with a big one in August.
Wasps on your property in Meanwood?
Fixed price £90 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.