The year 2017 seems to be the year of the wasp. A large number of wasp queens have already been spotted and males are already flying around. In addition, we are dealing with two generations that have survived the winter. The question is of course: how do we survive the summer?
Wasps have a bad reputation, but this cheerfully striped buzzer certainly has its uses. They catch incredible amounts of insects to feed their larvae: 5,000 wasps catch about 105,000 flies and mosquitoes every day. Furthermore, the wasps in the north of the country do not turn their nose up at the oak processionary caterpillar. Since the caterpillars of this butterfly cause a lot of damage to trees, we can safely label this activity of the wasp as useful.
send wasps away
Wasps are best kept at a distance. If one buzzes around you, don’t hit it, but move your arms slowly: the air displacement means that the wasp no longer finds it so pleasant and starts looking elsewhere.
lure wasps away
You can do this with a bowl of lemonade, for example: wasps simply love sweets. Then place the lemonade a bit tactically: if you put the sweetness above your table or lounge sofa, you can bet that the wasp will get its friends and will buzz above your head. It is therefore better to place the container on the side of the garden where you are not sitting. Also keep an eye out for cans or bottles: before you know it, a wasp is thrashing around in them – and no, swallowing is not a good idea.
Wasps love sweets – why?
The larvae of the wasp are fed by the workers, who in return get some sweetness from the larvae. In the summer months, however, the larvae are fully grown and at that time the workers have to look for sweets themselves. And where do they find that? Exactly: with us! The workers eager for sweets are therefore also called lemonade wasps.
Stabbed – now what?
Still got a wasp sting? Then stay calm, try to suck out the poison and keep an eye on the spot. It is normal for the area to swell, turn red, itch and sometimes even hurt. To soothe, you can cool with a wet compress or a cold pack, or lubricate with an ointment with menthol or aloe vera. If the spot becomes particularly thick or if you feel nauseous or dizzy, contact your doctor. In case of a wasp sting in the throat or mouth, call 1-1-2 immediately. Suck on an ice cube to slow swelling in the mouth or throat.
Allergic and Stung – Now What?
Someone who is allergic to wasp stings reacts particularly violently: shortness of breath, shock symptoms and the neck and neck area can swell. Calling 1-1-2 immediately is therefore the motto. People who know they are allergic often carry medicines with them – these must be administered as soon as possible – he or she prefers to do it himself. A wasp sting in the mouth or throat in combination with a severe allergic reaction can be life-threatening because the airways may swell.
Wasp’s nest seen – now what?
There are 5,000 to 10,000 wasps in a little wasp’s nest and if you poke in it yourself, the turnips are done: wasps rely on attack as the best defense. If the nest is in a place where it bothers you, call a professional pest control service. And if the nest is in a place where it doesn’t really bother you, then leave the critters alone and count your blessings: as mentioned before, the wasp catches incredible amounts of flies and mosquitoes.
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