The Importance of Organic Wasp Killers for Backyards

Wasps can be very beneficial.

However, wasps elicit fear in many people, especially those who are severely allergic to them. Painful to humans, a wasp’s sting can vary greatly in toxicity.

For those without an allergy to wasp stings, they will experience varying degrees of burning, itching, redness, tenderness, and swelling that may last up to a week. These reactions can be treated easily with ice, meat tenderizer, or other commercial topical ointments.

Others may have an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction can include a rash, hives, headache, minor respiratory symptoms, and upset stomach. These reactions can be treated with an over-the-counter antihistamine.

For those rare individuals, a wasp sting can cause anaphylactic shock (fainting, difficulty breathing, swelling, and blockage in the throat) within minutes of being stung. These systemic allergic reactions may cause a person to die unless treated immediately with an epinephrine injection and a subsequent visit to the hospital. For individuals with allergies, a wasp killer becomes an important line of defense whenever spending time outdoors.

Another reason why an effective wasp killer is so important is that wasps have the ability to mobilize. When a wasps’ nest is attacked, a pheromone is used to raise an alarm and identify prey. This mobilizes the entire colony to come to the defense of the nest, triggering an attack. When an entire colony comes to the defense of the nest, you could inadvertently fall victim to infinite wasp stings instead of just one. That’s why it’s important to use an organic wasp killer to protect you from becoming wasp bait.

Basic Wasp Information

Wasps are part of the vespidae family. Unlike bees, wasps typically have little or no hair. Different types of wasps include the yellow jacket, paper wasp, bald-face hornet, and the European hornet. Wasps have the ability sting multiple times, and unlike honeybees, wasps don’t die after stinging. Wasp killers can kill these dangerous pests on contact to prevent multiple stinging.

Sting Prevention and the Necessity for Wasp Killers

When you are outdoors, refrain from wearing perfumes or colognes. Some products contain smells that attract wasps like bees to honey. If a wasp approaches you, protect your face with your hands while remaining calm and stationary. Then move away extremely slowly.

Swinging your arms or running away rapidly can provoke an attack and incur painful stings. And if you find a nest, never throw water or rocks at it or an entire swarm may defend its territory. Even just being too close to a nest could provoke an attack. That’s why a wasp killer should be used on the nest to remove the threat.

Controlling and Identifying Wasp Nests

June is the best time of the year to control these stinging pests with a wasp killer. The colony is still fairly small, since the queen has just started creating it. But because the colonies are small, they may be hard to find within your yard. You’ll want to look carefully for the following:

Yellow jackets and paper wasps have small umbrella-shaped papery combs that hang horizontally. Look for their nests in protected spaces, such as attics, eaves, tree limbs or soil cavities.

The bald-face hornet has large, pear-shaped paper nests that hang upside down. Look for them hanging from branches and eaves.

The European hornet creates a very large paper nest that you can find in hollow trees and other sheltered locations.

Organic Wasp Killers Destroy Nests the Right Way

If you’ve found a wasp nest on your property, eradicating the nest with an organic wasp killer is your best line of defense. Any human activity near the nest can put a person at risk of being stung, and little provocation is needed to warrant an attack. Since wasps are less active at dusk and dawn, an organic wasp killer should be applied then. Remember to use caution when using any wasp killer, applying only as directed on the label.

Steps for Applying Organic Wasp Killer to Nests

• Wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves and pants.

• Apply the wasp killer at dusk or dawn.

• Stand 15 feet from the nest with the wind to your back.

• Shake can well and hold upright. While aiming nozzle at the nest, spray the wasp killer upward into the nest.

• Completely saturate the nest with the wasp killer.

• Wait a minimum of 24 hours before removing the nest.

• If wasps are still active within the area, reapply the wasp killer.

Indoor Organic Wasp Killers

When selecting an indoor wasp killer, look for a product that is approved for indoor and outdoor use. Organic wasp killers are the ideal solution for wasps that enter your home. Simply spray to kill stinging pests in seconds.

The Most Effective Organic Wasp Killers – Indoor and Out

For the most effective products, look for organic wasp killers that contain the ingredients pyrethrins and potassium salts of fatty acids. Easily broken down by nature, these organic ingredients kill wasps and hornets on contact, making the products that contain them fast acting. As potent neurotoxins, pyrethrins attack the wasps’ nervous system resulting in instant death. Potassium salts of fatty acids kill by dehydrating the insect.

When searching for the best wasp killers, look for products that are CFC Free with a fresh citrus or mint scent, so you don’t have to deal with any chemical odor when spraying.

Finding Authentic Organic Wasp Killers

Many consumers are making the switch to organic products, especially with the increasing concerns about the use of traditional chemical pesticides. Today more than ever, organic products offer powerful results without endangering the environment. Some companies are marketing their wasp killers as ”green”, but they are not truly organic. To ensure the wasp killer you choose has been reviewed and approved as organic, look for the Organic Materials Review Institute-listed® and USDA-National Organic Program seals.

A Note about Yellow Jackets

Yellow jackets often make their nests in the ground and locating them can be difficult. That means they may be hard to kill with some aerosol wasp killers. When this occurs, an organic wasp trap is an economical and convenient solution to your insect problem. By utilizing pesticide-free food attractants, wasp traps lure yellow jackets to their death. Easy to clean, wasp traps are refillable and reusable.

Works Cited:

Wasp and Bee Control. 2009.

Paper Wasps and Hornets. Ohio State University.

Yellow Jacket and Other Social Wasps. University of California.

This guest post was sponsored by Safer Brand.

 

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