Are Wasps Dangerous? Understanding Stings and Nest Disturbance in St Lawrence Bay

Wasps are drawn to sweet food and drink in late summer, so a few table habits can prevent most stings and show you when a nest is close by.

Why wasps crash the party

Late in summer, wasps change what they are looking for. Early in the season workers hunt for protein to feed the grubs. As the colony matures, the food they seek shifts towards sugar, which is why a can of fizzy drink, an ice lolly or a slice of melon will pull them in so quickly.

That timing is why so many stings happen at outdoor meals. People sit down, put food and drinks on the table, and suddenly find several wasps working the plates. Most of these visitors are not defending a nest. They are foraging, and they will usually leave if undisturbed.

Even so, an irritated wasp can sting, and a lot of wasps around the table can also be a clue that a nest is close.

The first few weeks of August are when many households notice the change. The same garden that was quiet in June can suddenly seem full of wasps around lunchtime, which is simply the colony at its peak.

Setting the table sensibly

Prevention is mostly about removing temptation and reducing surprises.

• Keep food covered until the moment it is eaten, and clear plates promptly.
• Use lids or straws on cold drinks, and check a cup before drinking from it.
• Avoid drinking directly from cans left on a table, since a wasp can crawl inside unseen.
• Keep rubbish bins sealed and away from the seating area.
• Wipe up spilt juice, jam and ice cream, and rinse sticky hands and faces.

Set up a separate small table with a sweet decoy only if you must; a better habit is to move the meal indoors when wasps become persistent.

A little forward planning, such as keeping a lidded jug of drink on the table instead of open cans, can transform an outdoor lunch from a stressful one into a relaxed one.

What to do with a wasp at the table

The urge to swat is strong, but swatting rarely works and often provokes a sting. Sit still or move away slowly. A wasp that finds nothing worth staying for will usually leave.

Do not wave your arms or run, and never squash a wasp near the table. A crushed wasp can release signals that bring others, and the movement of a frightened diner can startle the wasps in turn. If one lands on your skin, stay calm and let it fly off, or gently brush it away.

Children often panic at this point. Show them how to stay calm and step back from the table together, and let the wasp drift away.

If a wasp does land on food, finish with that dish indoors rather than trying to shoo it away. It is a small inconvenience compared to a sting on the lip.

When many wasps mean a nest

A few wasps at a barbecue are normal. A steady procession is a different matter, especially if they keep arriving after the food is gone, or if they seem to fly in a line away from your garden.

If you see wasps heading in the same direction, there may be a nest within reach. Look at distance for holes in the ground, gaps in eaves, or an overgrown hedge, but do not search at close range. Mark where the traffic goes, and use that information when you ask for help.

Keep the meal away from that corner, and avoid sitting beneath the line of travel. The colony is at its largest in August, with perhaps 2,000 to 10,000 or more wasps.

Look at the direction the wasps leave in rather than where they arrive from. A wasp that has had its fill flies straight back to the nest, which gives a better clue to where it is.

Stings, mouths and drinks

A sting in the mouth or throat is one of the most serious outdoor-meal risks. It usually happens when a wasp has gone unseen into a drink or a piece of food. Swelling inside the mouth can interfere with breathing, so call 999 if anyone shows swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing, dizziness or a widespread rash.

For a regular sting on the skin, move away, wash the area, remove any visible sting and use a cold pack. Check the person over the next hour. People known to be allergic should have a plan from their GP and keep any prescribed medicine with them at the table. This is general information, not medical advice.

Be mindful that glass bottles and cans are the worst offenders for hidden wasps. Pour into a clear glass where you can see what you are drinking.

If a nest turns up

Once you have found a nest near where you sit and eat, treatment is the sensible next step. Wasp Nest Removal Essex charges a fixed price of £90 per nest, with one visit guaranteed. Another nest on the same property costs £35 for each extra one.

It is open seven days a week with same-day service, covers domestic and commercial premises, and is fully insured. Phone 01245 327274 or fill in the booking form on the contact page.

Tell the technician if anyone is allergic. You can also ask whether the empty nest can be taken down once the work is finished. The technician covers St Lawrence Bay and the surrounding villages.

Anyone sitting outdoors who notices wasps heading to and from one point should move the meal elsewhere without making a fuss. Whatever you decide, keep young children away from the area until the nest is dealt with, and have everyone use the table furthest from the suspected flight path.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for St Lawrence Bay