CAN’T stop wasps from bugging you? There’s a good reason for that.
The UK is experiencing a surge in numbers of the yellow and black pests, with the current hot weather creating favourable conditions for the winged stingers to thrive.
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Pest control company Rentokil reported a 618 per cent increase in people requesting assistance with the winged insects compared to last year.
But with an estimated 7,000 species in the UK, how can you get them to leave you alone this summer?
Here Laura Stott offers ways to get wasps to buzz off – with some advice from Daniel Steward from Shield Pest Control.
PEST-PROOFING
TO minimise problems in your domestic environment, there are practical steps you can take that will prevent wasps from getting comfortable in your home.
Daniel says: “Always keep bins – especially those for food and garden waste – tightly sealed with secure lids and clean them regularly.
“Avoid leaving sweet drinks, fruit, meat or pet food outside as these are highly attractive to wasps.
“Seal up any small holes or gaps in lofts, sheds and brickwork to stop wasps from nesting in or around your home.
“Simple caulk or sealant found in any DIY store is ideal for plugging any gaps.”
WEAR RED
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THE colours you wear could impact your chances of being bothered by bugs.
Wasps are attracted to bright, bold hues and patterns. Yellow and white tones are more likely to attract as they are similar to the nectar and pollen hues the stingers like to seek out.
Any floral patterns are best avoided for the same reasons.
Dark colours like navy, black and blue should lead to less bother. Or opt for a red outfit – wasps can’t recognise this colour, meaning there’s more chance they will leave you alone.
DON’T FLAP
SHRIEKING or flapping might feel natural when a wasp zooms towards you. But wafting them away is actually one of the worst things you can do.
Daniel advises: “Never swat at them as this can make them more aggressive and increase the risk of being stung.”
Wasps may perceive sudden movements like flailing arms as a threat or attack which can provoke them – it’s the last thing you want.
If one flies towards you, stay still and don’t panic.
If you need to move away, do so slowly and remain calm to lessen the chance of being pursued.
WASP WINS
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WHILE venomous wasps can seem hard to love when they are plaguing your picnic, it is worth remembering they aren’t all bad news and do hold a valuable place in the ecosystem.
The insects are natural predators to lots of other pests including greenflies, spiders and other creepy-crawlies.
They also have a valuable role to play as pollinators. So try to keep these positives in mind next time they swarm towards your lunch.
TRAP TRICKS
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DIY wasp traps are an easy and effective way of luring the insects out of your space.
They work by using something like sugar water to tempt them into a container that they then can’t get out of.
They are so simple to make yourself without much fuss.
Just cut a two-litre bottle of soda in half and then invert the half with the neck to make a funnel shape, and then hang it from a tree or fence.
Alternatively, there are plenty of cheap options for sale online and in garden centres.
CAFFEINE KICK
DON’T chuck away your used coffee grounds – as, believe it or not, they can help deter those pesky yellow and black critters.
Once removed from a cafetiere and dried out (or fresh from the packet if you can spare some), simply place a few heaped tablespoons into a heat-safe dish – a washed-out tin of beans would work – and carefully ignite the grounds using a match or lighter.
As they start to smoke, they release caffeine and a strong smell which repels wasps.
This is an ideal tip if you’re hosting a barbecue at home, as while most humans are unoffended by the scent of smoking coffee, wasps hate it – as do mosquitos!
DECOY NESTS
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DANIEL suggests hanging decoy nests to deter wasps, as they are territorial and may avoid areas they believe to be occupied by a colony.
You can buy this one from Robert Dyas for £9.99 – or make your own.
All you need is a brown paper bag, scissors, tape, string and an old copy of The Sun.
Crumple the bag into a ball to give it some texture, recreating that of a real nest.
Then stuff some balled-up pages of newspaper inside to puff it out.
Cinch the end shut, secure it with tape and use the string to hang it wherever you’re entertaining and want to be left alone.
PUT A LID ON IT
THERE is little you can do to prevent wasps being attracted to your food and drink, but there are simple steps you can take to minimise interruption.
Daniel advises: “Always cover any beverages or food stuffs.”
Try using foil, silicone seals or keeping items in fridges or cupboards and not leaving them out in the open.
The best way to keep the insects off items is to form a physical barrier to prevent them from getting into it.
Keep lids and caps on and pour drinks into cups rather than sipping from open cans or containers to avoid being attacked by any uninvited guests who might be lurking in your tipple.
Wipe up spills immediately, especially sugary ones.
