Stinging insects like wasps seem to fly in out of nowhere to ruin our days. However, much like us, they’re going about their business and occasionally find that someone is in their way. Wasps, unlike most bees, can easily be provoked, and once one stings you, others may follow. That’s why it’s important to avoid getting stung by a wasp, aside from the fact that it’s painful, and you may discover that you have a wasp allergy. Here are some steps you can take to avoid getting stung. 

Don’t Wear Perfume and Cologne

Perfume and cologne may make you feel good in indoor spaces, but they can be a recipe for disaster if you’re spending time outside. The smells of cologne, perfume, and in some cases, scented soaps, shampoos and deodorants can attract stinging insects. Banana scents in particular should be avoided at all costs if you’re going to be spending time outdoors.

Remain Calm and Still

Encountering a wasp can be scary, especially if you weren’t expecting it. It’s important to stay calm and still when you see one flying around so you don’t provoke them or accidentally move them toward you by moving too fast or swatting. Stay calm, and stay still while the wasp moves away from you. Keep in mind, it doesn’t want to be near you any more than you want to be near it. 

Wear Protective Clothing

If you’re going into an area where wasps are present, you need to wear protective clothing. This is especially true if you’re going to attempt to remove one of their nests. Ideally, you’ll be wearing thick clothes like jeans, socks, boots, and a jacket when removing the nest to avoid getting stung. 

Carefully Remove the Nest

One way to avoid getting stung by wasps is to remove their nests. This is an area where we highly recommend calling for professional help. If you want to remove wasps yourself, wear protective clothing, and go out at night to remove them. Here are the steps for safely removing a wasp nest on your own: 

• Carefully place a plastic container over the nest, knock the nest free with the container against the surface where the nest is built, then close it quickly with the lid. 
• The next step is relocating the nest. Ideally, you will relocate it to an area where it won’t impact other people or homes, like a wildlife reserve. However, your main goal is to keep it away from buildings. 
• Set the container on the ground, remove the lid, and walk away. If you’re worried about leaving the container behind, return to collect it the next morning. 

Does the thought of removing a wasp nest scare you? If you’re not a professional, it probably should. If you need wasps removed from your home, the Des Moines wasp removal experts at Pro-Staff can help. Call us at 515-279-7378 or contact us online.