When Is Wasp Season in Belchamp Walter?

Knowing what to do after a sting is easier when you also know when stings are most likely, so this guide links first aid to the calendar.

Stings follow the calendar

Most people are stung at some point, and most recover quickly. How likely a sting is depends on the time of year. In spring there are few wasps. By late summer there are many more, and they are more likely to be near people. If you live in Belchamp Walter or any other place, having a simple plan in your head makes a sting less frightening.

This guide gives general safety information only. It does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist.

The aim is to be prepared, not worried. Most stings are a minor event, and a calm, practical response is the best help you can give yourself or someone else.

Spring: rare stings, avoidable ones

The first building work happens from late April, weather permitting. Stings at this time are uncommon, and the ones that happen are usually the result of accidentally disturbing a nest: reaching into a shed, pulling away ivy or digging a bed. Look before you reach, and take care in places that have been left alone over winter.

If you are stung, move away from the spot, as other wasps may be nearby.

Gardening gloves and closed shoes are sensible in spring and summer, particularly when clearing old sheds, trimming hedges or turning compost. They do not make you immune, but they reduce the chances of a sting on the hands and feet.

Summer: the first aid steps

For most stings, the following steps are enough. Go calmly to a safe place away from the wasps. Wash the area with soap and water. If you can see the sting, remove it as soon as possible, for example by scraping it away with a fingernail or a card. Apply a cold pack or a cloth soaked in cold water to ease the pain and swelling.

• Keep the area clean and avoid scratching.
• Watch the person for the next hour or two.
• Take extra care with children, who may be frightened as well as hurt.

Do not try home remedies that involve breaking the skin, and do not give medication to others without advice from a pharmacist or doctor.

Children who are stung often need reassurance more than treatment. Sit them down, explain what has happened, apply the cold pack and offer a drink. Keep an eye on them and note any change in how they look or feel.

If the sting is on a limb and swells a lot, raising the limb may help comfort. If the swelling spreads or the area becomes increasingly painful, red or hot over the next day or so, speak to a pharmacist or doctor.

When to call 999

A small number of people have a serious allergic reaction. Call 999 at once if there is swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, dizziness or a widespread rash. Do not wait to see if it improves. Stay with the person until help arrives.

Many stings in the mouth or throat can be dangerous because of swelling. Several stings at once also need medical attention. Anyone with a known allergy should speak to their GP about their own plan, and should mention the allergy when booking a treatment so the booking can be prioritised.

Keep the first aid kit stocked with cold packs, wipes and plasters. Make sure that other adults in the household know where it is and what to do. A written note inside the kit is useful for visitors and babysitters.

August and September: the highest risk

The colony peaks in August, and a nest can hold from 2,000 to 10,000 or more wasps. In late summer, they seem to look for sweet food and drink, so stings from a hidden wasp in a can or a cup become more common. Check what you are drinking, cover food and avoid walking barefoot on grass.

If a nest is disturbed and several people are stung, move everyone away calmly, indoors if possible, and deal with the injuries from a safe distance.

Remember that a wasp that has stung can sting again, unlike a honeybee. If you are stung once, there may be more wasps around and further stings are possible. Leave the area calmly and do not return until you know it is safe.

Take care when moving garden furniture, sacks and pots in spring, because a wasp resting in a fold or hollow can sting if squeezed. Lift items slowly and look first.

Preventing the next one

First aid treats a sting. Treating the nest prevents the next. If the sting came from a nest on your property, keep away from it and book a visit. Do not try to deal with it yourself.

Give the booking team the position of the nest, tell them if anyone has been stung or is allergic, and ask about taking down the empty nest after treatment.

Finally, keep notes on any reaction that seems stronger than usual and mention it to your GP. That information is useful for planning for the following summer.

Each nest treated by Wasp Nest Removal Essex is a flat £90 per nest, one visit guaranteed, and £35 buys treatment of another nest on the same property. Work is carried out for domestic and commercial customers alike, and the technician is fully insured, while the line is open seven days a week for same-day service.

Booking is by telephone on 01245 327274 or, if you prefer, use the online booking form on the contact page. Once you are on the phone, check whether the empty nest can be taken down after treatment. Anyone who is allergic to wasp stings, make sure it is said at booking so that the booking can be prioritised.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Belchamp Walter