Are Wasps Dangerous? Understanding Stings and Nest Disturbance in Matching Tye

The youngest children are the least able to avoid wasps and the least able to tell you what has happened, so adults carry the whole job of prevention.

Why the very young need extra care

A baby in a pram or a toddler on the lawn cannot see wasps coming, cannot move away from them and cannot tell you what is wrong afterwards. A sting that an older child would report immediately may only show as sudden crying, a swollen hand or a refusal to put a foot down.

Small bodies also mean that a sting can have a stronger effect, and a baby cannot be asked how they feel. For these reasons, parents and carers do well to reduce the chance of any encounter and to know exactly what to look for if one occurs.

The advice here is general and meant to help parents feel prepared, not alarmed. Stings in babies and toddlers are uncommon, and most are mild.

Think of an ordinary afternoon. A toddler sits on the grass with a beaker of juice while a parent takes a call. A wasp lands on the beaker rim. A toddler who cannot judge the danger may try to brush it off or lift the beaker to the mouth. The simple habit of keeping a lid on drinks and an adult within arm's reach prevents the problem.

Prevention outdoors

The simplest protection is to keep a close eye and a short distance. Where a nest is known, keep prams, play mats and paddling pools well away from it. Use a mesh cover or a fine net on a pram when wasps are about, but make sure there is plenty of air.

• Do not leave a baby asleep in a pram or on a rug unattended outdoors.
• Keep sweet food and drinks away from the baby's play area.
• Wipe sticky faces and hands promptly.
• Check shoes, socks and clothing before dressing a toddler.
• Keep toddlers out of long grass, hedge bottoms and bank edges.

Toddlers may be tempted to pick up a dropped lolly, a cup of juice or a beaker left on the ground. Wasps love those things, so tidy as you go.

Sun hats and nets, when used, should be checked from time to time. A wasp that has crawled under a hat or into a fold of clothing is unlikely to be noticed by a baby, and an adult only notices when the baby cries.

Spotting a sting

You may not see the sting. Look for sudden loud crying that does not settle, a baby pulling away a hand or foot, or a red, swelling patch on the skin. Check the skin carefully, including skin creases, behind ears, around the neck and between toes.

For a typical sting, move the baby away from the area, wash the spot with cool water, remove any visible sting and apply a cold, damp cloth for short periods. Offer comfort and stay close.

Because babies cannot tell you how they feel, keep watching for the following hour. A baby who is unusually quiet, floppy or very pale needs urgent help.

Feeding times are a risk, since milk, purée and fruit all attract wasps. If you are feeding a baby outdoors, sit away from bins and hedges, and cover bowls and bottles between mouthfuls.

999 signs in a small child

Call 999 immediately if you see any of the following after a sting.

• Puffiness of the face, lips, tongue or throat.
• Noisy breathing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing.
• Unusual drowsiness, floppiness or paleness.
• Dizziness or collapse.
• A widespread rash or hives.

A sting in or near the mouth is always urgent, such as when a toddler picks up a drink with a wasp inside. Stay with the child and keep them calm and comfortable while you wait for help. If your child has been stung several times, seek medical advice even if they seem fine. What you have just read does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist.

Changing a nappy on a rug in the garden may seem harmless, but sticky wipes and sweet-smelling products can draw wasps. It is easy to do it indoors in the summer months.

Telling the other adults

Grandparents, childminders, friends and babysitters often look after small children in the garden. Tell them where any nest is and which areas are off-limits. Make sure they know to call 999 for the signs above and where the first aid items are.

Show them how to react to a wasp near a child: stay calm, move the child away and avoid swatting. Make sure they know about any allergy in the family and where medication is kept.

Building starts as early as late April, and the colony is largest in August. Share the information early in the season so everyone is ready.

If wasps are a regular worry near the baby's play area, treat that as a reason to look for a nest rather than learn to live with the risk.

Dealing with a nest at home

A nest where very small children play is best treated promptly. Booking a treatment means paying a fixed £90 for each nest, and the price graphic states one visit guaranteed. Should a second nest turn up, the added nest comes to £35 more. It operates seven days a week, with same-day visits offered, and the work is fully insured.

To book, ringing 01245 327274 or completing the online booking form found on the contact page. Tell the technician about the children and any allergy. The technician covers Matching Tye and nearby villages. Ask whether the empty nest can be taken down afterwards, and keep the little ones indoors during the visit.

As children grow, the rules can grow with them. A two-year-old can learn to leave a hole alone, and a four-year-old can learn to walk away calmly. Introduce the ideas gently and repeat them often, and by school age they will have become habits that need little reminding.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Matching Tye