How to decrease the likelihood of being stung
If you are venturing outdoors in the summer months, here are some measures you can take to avoid being stung by bees or wasps.
Firstly, fast movements agitate bees and wasps; therefore, you are more likely to be stung when you make fast, erratic movements. Don’t panic, the key is to move slow when you are near these insects. Don’t ever swat at them or flap your arms in panic. The best thing to do when a bee or wasp is flying near or around you, are to stand still or walk slowly away from the area.
Try not to wear perfume, scented soap, bright coloured clothes, these things will attract bees and wasps. Wearing black and other dark colours is not good also, they too seem to agitate bees and wasps. Dark colours are associated with bears which are natural predators of bees and wasps, this behaviour is in the bees and wasps DNA. It is best to wear white and other neutral colours.
If you disturb a nest, move away from the nest/area as fast and as safely as possible.
Always be aware of your surroundings when outdoors. Most stinging incidents occur when a person accidently disturbs a nest.
A downloadable version of this page can be found below:
How to decrease the likelihood of being stung
Contact
Report all European wasp nests to the eWasp™ Team for data collection and research programs.
eWasp: 0409 970033
eWasp Mobile App available in both the App & Google Play Stores or
email info@ewasp.com.au