How to Stop Wasps From Ruining Your Picnic
Spring has sprung and one of the best things about this season is being able to sit outdoors be that in your backyard or your local park and enjoy a lovely picnic with your family or friends! However, quite often picnics can attract unwanted guests… We are referring to wasps.
Wasps can certainly be a pain, and this is totally unsurprising given their stinging capabilities, however, it can be difficult to know how to deal with them, especially when you are trying to relax outdoors and enjoy a little bit of alfresco dining! Granted, the last thing you want when you open the picnic blanket is a hoard of wasps surrounding you, however, you still need to safely and responsibly deal with them.
So, with that in mind, what are some simple and safe tactics to get these pesky things to well, buzz off?
Yes, it is certainly the case that if you wish to have a wasp-free picnic - cover up your food and beverages. Make sure lids are kept on food items and ensure lids are on any drinks which you can cover (especially alcoholic drinks and soft drinks). If you are serving up picnic foods on dishes for your friends and family to help themselves, once they have served up, cover up the food. This is certainly going to attract fewer wasps and this is because they won’t be attracted by the smell of your tasty food!
If you are unable to hide your food, you could use a mesh cloche to cover your refreshments from wasps. Even if the wasps might be able to smell it, they will not be able to get to it and in turn, they will eventually give up.
Lots of people are probably familiar with this point but in case you are not, this one is certainly worth knowing - keep still! If a wasp is nearby or has landed on your face or body, instead of brushing it away or waving your arms around, the best thing to do is keep calm and still. Moving erratically will only enrage the wasp. Wasps do not classify you as a threat if you stay still and are more likely to sting you if you are flapping around stressed.
If you see one wasp - there is likely more
Where one wasp leads, others often choose to follow. You may be surprised to know that wasps are sociable and largely communal insects. When one of them discovers a food source that seems promising, it doesn’t keep this to itself – it often returns to the nest to inform its fellow wasps and they will communicate with each other.
The safest thing you can do is isolate the wasp, the reason being, they will likely get other wasps to come to join you! You could trap it underneath a cup and leave it there until you have finished your picnic. Once you have finished eating, you can then release the wasp.
Instead of just killing off the wasps, trap them then remove yourself when you have finished or keep still and calm in order to enjoy a wasp-free picnic! And of course, you need to remember, whatever you do, don’t kill the wasp - this isn’t going to help anyone and quite honestly will probably be a lot more effort than its worth.
Most people assume that making a little DIY nest is the ideal way to protect your picnic and foolproof it from wasps and divert them from your picnic. However, DIY traps are not a good idea. These DIY wasp traps can actually have the complete opposite effect and lure wasps towards your picnic.
Although it is common for beekeepers to lay beer traps near hives in order to attract wasps and prevent them from raiding the colony. However, there is the chance that placing a trap like this could lure wasps away but it’s more likely to lure them nearer to you.
If you are having a picnic in your own back garden, check it. Yellowjackets and various other wasps tend to make nests in holes or existing burrows within the ground. Check your garden for any present rodent holes and tunnels where they may find a home. If you notice quite a few of these wasps flying around your garden, see if you notice where they nest.
Do not attempt to get rid of the nest or go near it until you have contacted pest controls services and have got them to eliminate it for you. If you don’t use a professional wasp removal service you may risk getting some nasty stings in the attempt of getting rid of the nest.
●Its a very common misconception that wasps are purposely trying to harm you. However, it is a case of quite the opposite. Wasps actually would rather stay away from you altogether. If they are coming close to your picnic, we assure you, all they care about is your food.
●Wasps are certainly regarded as a lot less favourable to bees. However, they are just as important for pollinating flowers and play an important role in protecting your garden from other pests such as aphids, caterpillars and flies. So, wasps in moderation can be ok.
●Also, another point that surprises people is that it’s only honey bees that die nobly in defence of a colony once they’ve stung you. People may have a particular fondness for bees, however, they can still sting repeatedly – exactly like a wasp does!
Mr Wasp - Specialist wasp removal company in Bridgend and the surrounding areas
Wasps are a common inconvenience in the UK. They are often most active during the summer months, ruining BBQs, picnics and plenty more outdoor activities. However, when their numbers soar they can become a real problem, nesting in sheds, under eaves, in attics or garages and posing a risk to anyone who comes near.
However, if you notice an unusually large number of wasps near your home or place of work, you may have an unwanted nest somewhere on your property. If this is the case, we recommend calling us at the earliest possible opportunity so that we can carry out an inspection to verify whether you have an infestation. No matter the size or severity of the infestation, our highly-skilled wasp exterminators are well-equipped to deal with it. We always prioritise your safety and comfort, offering a speedy call-out service around the clock. From morning to evening, Mr Wasp is here for you.
We do not recommend trying to find the nest yourself as this could be a dangerous undertaking that results in you sustaining multiple stings. Our professional exterminators can locate unwanted nests quickly and safely. In the event that a nest is found, we will be happy to provide you with a competitive quotation for professional wasp removal across South Wales. To find out more about our services and how we can be of assistance to you, please feel free to contact us today, we’d be delighted to help with any enquiries you may have.
