Interesting Myths About Wasps

It’s no secret that wasps are dangerous. Their sting can be horrible, especially if you are allergic to their venom. There are many myths that are related to wasps that you may not be aware of. Eagle Pest Services is here to talk about myths associated with wasps as we head into spring and summer.

 

If I'm Allergic to Bees, I'm Allergic to Wasps

This is one of the most common myths out there. The venom from wasps and bees are actually quite different. Most people who have an allergic reaction wasp venom aren’t allergic to bee venom. They are made up of different compounds and people are usually allergic to one or the other but not both.

 

Baking Soda Will Stop a Wasp Sting from Hurting

This is one of the most effective ways to reduce the pain from a bee sting, however, this will not do much for a wasp sting. Bee stings are full of acidic compounds while wasp stings are made up of alkaline constituents, so baking soda won’t do much to help out.

 

Copper Pennies Placed on a Sting will Relieve Redness and Swelling

This method is sadly just a myth. A copper penny will do nothing to help you feel better. Some things you can do to reduce redness and swelling:

• Wash the sting with soap and water to remove venom.
• Apply cold water or ice to the sting site to help alleviate swelling and redness.
• Over the counter antihistamines can be helpful in reducing symptoms.
• If the sting is itching calamine lotion will help relieve those symptoms.
In most cases, the symptoms of a wasp sting will go away after 24-36 hours.

 

A Wasp’s Diet Mostly Consists of Sweet Foods

It’s easy to get this wrong because you might see wasps hanging around sugary drinks and wines that are left out after a meal outside. However, a wasp’s diet is actually mostly protein based. They are excellent hunters and will feed on other insects. They play a key role in insect prevention in your garden which can be helpful.

 

Dryer Sheets Will Keep Wasps Away

This just sounds silly. There have been many studies that have shown that when you place bounce dryer sheets next to a wasp nest, they go about their business and are completely unaffected. You will be far better off with some professional pest control to help you control the wasp population on your property rather than pulling out the dryer sheets from the laundry room.

 

To Get Rid of Wasps, Get Rid of Flowers

You may see wasps circling around flowers in your yard, but they are usually looking for other insects to feed on. Therefore, getting rid of the flowers that make your yard beautiful, will have no effect on whether or not you have a wasp problem. Go ahead and plant as many flowers as you wish.

 

Wasp & Nest Removal

If you have a wasp problem on your property, it is important to let the professionals at Eagle Pest Services handle the situation to keep you safe from painful stings. Call us today!