How To Avoid Being Stung By Wasps

A yellow jacket spotted in El Paso TX

Dealing with wasps is no fun. When you find a wasp nest in your yard, your first thought might be to try to get rid of it, but the ever-present humming of its darting defenders turns many away. This is the right call to make. Wasps are quite irritable, so you might anger them accidentally and spur them into action against you. This can lead to a barrage of painful stings. Looking to learn more about preventing wasp stings in El Paso TX? Read on for advice from our licensed and state-certified wasp control specialists at Pest Defense Solutions!

Ways to Avoid Wasp Stings

Getting a head start on preventing wasps is the best way to avoid wasp stings. In order to do this, you have to stay diligent about making your property less attractive to them. Here are a few helpful tips:

  • Keep your grass, plants, and trees trimmed back. Limiting overgrowth will result in fewer opportunities for wasps to safely build nests.
  • Be careful with sugary and protein-rich foods. Leaving them out for too long will attract wasps.
  • Toss your soda cans, food containers, and similarly attractive items into sealable bins.

If it’s too late for you to prevent wasps from building nests in your yard, you have to adjust your approach. Here are some ways to avoid a wasp sting when they’ve already settled on your property:

  • Allow wasps to approach you, and be very still when they do.
  • Refrain from swatting at them if they hover around you for too long. 
  • If you have to walk by their nests, do so carefully and slowly. 
  • If you’ve been stung and have to run away, run in a straight line, keeping your arms tucked in.

How to Take Care of a Wasp Sting

Some wasps can get riled up to the point of stinging when someone simply passes by their nest. This often leads to unsuspecting passersby being stung. You can treat your symptoms in these three ways if you end up with a wasp sting:

  1. Use a rag soaked in cold water or an ice pack as a cold compress
  2. Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen to deal with pain
  3. Take an antihistamine in the area around your bite is swollen

In rare cases, a wasp sting will result in swelling of the face or mouth, nausea, faintness, and difficulty breathing. These are symptoms of anaphylaxis and warrant an immediate call for an ambulance.

Who Can Remove Wasp Nests in El Paso TX?

You should never try to remove a wasp nest on your own. Wasp nests can be home to many more individuals than you’d like, and these wasps will all team up to sting you if you deliberately disrupt their lives. Instead of taking them on yourself, reach out to your local wasp nest removal experts. At Pest Defense Solutions, we train our technicians in multiple styles of efficient and eco-conscious wasp removal. To learn more about these strategies and receive a free quote, contact our team today!

How to Be Pest-Free in Your Outdoor Living Space

Prevent pests in your El Paso TX backyard - Pest Defense Solutions

Pests and insects are a completely normal part of outdoor life. Whether you spend your time in your backyard barbecuing, doing yard work, or playing with your kids, you’ve likely dealt with pests from time to time. Mosquitoes in the birdbath or ants on your barbecue area can be frustrating to deal with, which is why it’s important to learn what you can do to lessen the risk of pest problems outside your home. At Pest Defense Solutions, we know that pests are common year-round here in El Paso. But we don’t believe they have to ruin your time spent outdoors! Our expert technicians have gathered info on how to be pest-free in your outdoor living space.

5 Steps to Be Pest-Free Outdoors

The last thing you want during a barbecue or family picnic is a pest problem. Chances are, there are several things in your backyard that could be attracting pests. The key is to make your yard less attractive to pests in general. Our top tips are to:

  1. Keep a clean environment. Crumbs and spills will attract ants and other insects.
  2. Remove any standing water. Stagnant water is one of the biggest attractants for mosquitoes.
  3. Keep your lawn and shrubs trimmed. Ticks and mosquitoes will shelter in overgrown vegetation or tall grass.
  4. Inspect all wood structures. Wood-destroying pests (carpenter ants and termites) will damage your wooden decks or porches.
  5. Use an insect repellent. Most store-bought repellent containing DEET will help repel mosquitoes and ticks.

What Pests are Common in El Paso Backyards?

If you’ve lived in the area for some time, you know that pests and insects are common during most months of the year. However, pests are more common than ever this time of year, and are likely right in your backyard! The pests you’ll see in your yard are mosquitoes, stinging insects (bees, wasps, and hornets), ants, spiders, ticks, fleas, and flies. While most of these pests are a nuisance to deal with, ticks and mosquitoes in particular are more dangerous. Because these pests can bite and transmit diseases, it’s very important to learn how to keep them away from your property altogether.

Year-Round Outdoor Pest Control

A pest problem outside your home can quickly become a pest problem inside your home. By preventing pests in your backyard, you can lessen the risk of those pests coming indoors. For expert help on staying pest-free, the residential pest control pros at Pest Defense Solutions can help. Contact us today!