The end of July and August marks the peak of wasp season as colonies reach their maximum size of between 3,000 and 10,000 insects, including highly aggressive workers on the hunt for sugary snacks once larva stop producing sweet secretions.
Although their presence can be frustrating (especially when they’re wafting around your ice cream or cider), remember that wasps play an important ecological role by pollinating plants and preying on insects that damage crops.
The best approach is therefore to discourage them without harming them. Here's what know how to respond calmly and safely if a sting does occur.
What to do, and what not to do, with wasp stings
![macro image of an english wasp [vespula vulgaris] – the most commonly found wasp in the uk – perched on bright yellow fennel flowers with a defocused background.](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/bedcc343-c072-44b1-98ba-e47e068fa66a.jpg?resize=980:* "Juvenile wasp on fennel")
Most wasp stings cause pain, redness, swelling and itching around the affected area. The first step is to remain calm and clean the skin.
“Unlike honeybees, wasps don’t usually leave their stinger behind, so the first step is to stay calm and simply wash the area with soap and water to prevent infection,” says Steward. A wrapped ice pack or cold compress can then be used to reduce discomfort. “Apply a cold compress or an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for around 10 to 20 minutes to help reduce pain and swelling,” says Daniel Steward, managing director of Shield Pest Control says. “Most wasp stings improve within a few hours to a couple of days.”
Private GP, Dr Christian Collins, recommends letting someone nearby know that you have been stung.
“If you are stung, firstly tell someone close by,” he says. “I would apply some ice to the sting straight away and Anthisan, a topical antihistamine.”
Anyone feeling distressed or faint should sit or lie down safely: "Have some water and put your legs up on a chair,” says Dr Collins.
For a typical local reaction, antihistamine treatment may help ease itching and swelling.
“Most of the time, the sting will become red, inflamed and itchy,” Dr Collins says. “This is a normal process, but an ice pack and an oral non-sedating antihistamine would provide relief.”
It is important not to squeeze the sting site or dig at the skin. “Don’t try to squeeze or pull the wasp sting or use tweezers to remove it, as you may introduce more of the poison and prolong the reaction,” says Dr Collins.
Steward explains that a wasp will not usually leave anything behind: “Another misconception is that all stinging insects leave a stinger behind,” he says. “Honeybees do, but wasps usually don’t. Wasps have smooth stingers, which is why they can sting more than once.”
Several popular home remedies are also unlikely to provide meaningful relief.
“One common myth is that you should apply vinegar, bicarbonate of soda or toothpaste to a wasp sting,” says Steward. “There’s little evidence that these home remedies provide any real benefit.”
Redness and inflammation should not automatically be assumed to be an infection.
“A true infection from a wasp sting is actually quite rare,” says Dr Collins. “Inflammation is often mistaken for an infection, as they look very similar.”
However, medical advice may be needed if symptoms continue to worsen: “Sometimes the rash can become very raised and red due either to a large localised reaction or, rarely, a skin infection,” says Dr Collins. “If the redness spreads hour by hour or you have a fever, seek medical help, as antibiotics may be needed.”
A small proportion of people can experience a severe allergic reaction, which requires urgent treatment. “There are a small proportion of the population who react severely to wasp stings,” says Dr Collins. “If you have a profound or very large and itchy rash, or any signs of lip or tongue swelling, chest tightness, throat tightness, feeling faint or shortness of breath, call 999 without delay.”
For most people, however, the effects are temporary. “Most wasp stings are not harmful to people in the long term,” says Dr Collins.
How to keep wasps away from your home and garden
One of the best ways to discourage wasps is to remove the things that attract them in the first place.
“When it comes to wasps, prevention is always better than cure,” says Daniel. “The biggest mistake people make is unintentionally attracting them into their gardens, particularly during the late summer when worker wasps are actively searching for sugary foods and drinks.”
Steward recommends keeping food and sweet drinks covered when eating outside, clearing away leftovers promptly and ensuring outdoor bins have tightly fitting lids. “Fallen fruit should also be picked up regularly, as fermenting fruit is a major attraction,” he says.
Outdoor waste areas should also be kept as clean as possible. “Wasps are attracted to waste, so keep all outdoor bins closed and as clean as possible by removing any excess food waste that they can get their hands on,” says David Denyer, flower expert at Eflorist. “Wasps can become more aggressive during the summer, as this is when food sources become more scarce, so I would also suggest keeping your outdoor bins as far away from your windows as possible.”
Dr Collins also advises taking steps inside the home.
“From a practical point of view, keeping surfaces really clean and adding a small layer of salt to the bottom of your bin can prevent wasps and flies settling in your kitchen,” he says.
Outside, strongly scented plants may help make a garden less appealing to wasps.
“Wasps hate strong smells, as do many other insects that may enter your garden,” says Denyer. “To naturally keep wasps away, try planting some strong-scented plants and flowers around the garden, such as eucalyptus, rosemary or sage.”
Garlic and mint may also be useful additions.“ If you’re a fan of growing your own food, garlic is an excellent choice to deter wasps — plus, it isn’t such a bad smell for us humans,” Denyer says. “Wasps also hate the smell of mint, so this is another great addition to your garden,” he adds. “Another tip from me would be to plant the mint in your flower beds, especially near any windows.” Peppermint oil can be used as another scent-based deterrent.
“You could create a homemade repellent with a simple mixture of water and a drop or two of peppermint oil,” says Denyer. “Add the solution to a spray bottle and lightly spritz it across the plants in your garden, as well as any garden furniture they may want to land on, such as chairs and tables.”
Dr Collins adds: “You can either use oils in diffusers or apply them using tissue paper on window sills.” Citronella may be another option for outdoor seating areas: “Citronella candles work very well on sunny evenings to keep wasps away without harming them,” says Dr Collins.
It is also worth checking sheds, roof eaves and wall cavities for signs of nest building in spring and early summer.
“Small nests under roof eaves, in sheds or wall cavities are much easier and safer to deal with before they become established,” says Steward. “If you discover an active nest, avoid disturbing it and contact a professional pest controller to remove it safely.”
Homeowners should not try to spray, knock down or otherwise remove an active nest themselves. “DIY attempts often disturb the colony, increasing the risk of multiple stings,” Steward says. “If a nest is close to your home or somewhere people regularly use, it’s always safest to have it assessed and removed by a qualified pest-control professional.”
If a wasp enters the house, the safest response is to give it space and provide an escape route.
“If wasps enter your home, resist the temptation to swat them,” says Steward. “Instead, open a window or door and allow them to find their own way out.”
Denyer agrees that striking or crushing a wasp is best avoided. “Wasps can be a nuisance, especially when they sting, but they only do this if they feel threatened by you, so it’s important not to swat or squash them,” he says. “And while we may be tempted to defend ourselves if they get too close, wasps are hugely important for the environment, so we must protect them where possible,” he adds. “Wasps help to pollinate plants, as well as providing us humans with some natural pest control to protect our crops.”
Natural pest repellent
