Got Wasps? We’ve Got it Covered!
Last week we had a lovely brief heat wave across Herefordshire and, as we start to head into the Summer months, wasps have already started to become a problem.
The Queen wasps have been emerging from hibernation, the warm weather activating them to start to populate new colonies.
Did you know that a wasp nest can produce around one hundred Queen wasps each season?
That gives you an idea of how rapidly wasps can become a problem in your home or business in Herefordshire.
Wasps can become very aggressive and, whilst a wasp won’t go out of their way to sting you, they can and do sting with very little provocation. If you get too close to a wasp nest or agitate them, you may expect to be on the end of a wasp sting.
Have you been stung by a wasp?
A wasp sting can be very painful. Wasp sting symptoms may include swelling around the wasp sting site for around 24 hours or more, itchiness, a sharp burning pain and a visible mark or welt where the wasp’s stinger punctured the skin. Ouch!
Advice for treating a wasp sting
Always thoroughly clean the area with soap and water to remove the venom.
You can also apply an ice pack or cold compress to reduce swelling and take an over-the-counter antihistamine.
Raising the affected area can also help as elevation can help to reduce swelling.
Try not to scratch the affected area as this can lead to infections and cause more issues.
If you’ve been stung by a wasp and your symptoms don’t improve over the next few days or you’re worried about a wasp sting or the wound becomes infected (for example pus, increased pain / swelling / redness) then contact your GP or call NHS 111 for advice.
When wasps are a threat to public health
Where someone’s body reacts adversely to a wasp sting, they can experience an allergic reaction. In some cases, an allergy can become quite serious; in rare cases fatal.
If you or someone you’re with is stung by a wasp or wasps and experience any of the following symptoms you should seek immediate medical assistance:
Swelling of the face, lips or throat (anaphylaxis), difficulty swallowing
Dizziness
Hives or itchiness in areas of the body not directly affected by the sting
Feeling lightheaded and nauseous or vomiting
Loss of consciousness
Stomach cramps
Sudden drop in blood pressure, weak or racing pulse or fast heart rate
Wheezing, breathing difficulties
Dial 999 for an ambulance if you or someone else displays signs of a severe reaction.
At PGM & Son Wasp Control Hereford we will always do our best to prioritise call outs where there is a clear and immediate threat to public health. Please let us know when you call if you, or a member of your family, has an allergy to wasp stings so that we can do our best to get to you as soon as possible.
If you are a business or public service across Herefordshire and you have a problem with wasps, call us at PGM & Son Wasp Control Hereford as we can treat any wasp nest that may present a risk to your customers or the public.
If you have a wasp problem, give PGM and Son Hereford a call – we offer a fast, reliable, local service across Herefordshire, 01981 540088 or 07964 370480 today to help with all your pest needs. Email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk
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