If you’ve ever seen wasp spray in action, you’ve noticed just how effective it can be. Any wasp that is touched by the spray will drop to the ground dead almost immediately. But why is it that wasp sprays are so effective? Let’s find out!
How do these sprays work?
Wasp sprays have pyrethroids and pyrethrins as active ingredients. These chemicals are packaged in an aerosol can, and when they come in contact with an insect, they overwhelm its nervous system causing it to seize up and fall to the ground almost immediately. Basically, the insecticide causes immediate paralysis. The pyrethroids found in these sprays may include cypermethrin, prallethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, and tetramethrin.
So the first method of action of these sprays is direct. However, as the wasps are sprayed, they become covered in the chemicals, and if they survive, they will fly back to their nests and they take the chemicals with them. This means that the chemicals will spread around the nest, affecting more than just the wasps buzzing around.
Using the sprays against nests
Although it’s never a good idea to rile up a wasp nest, and you should always seek the help of a pro when tackling a nest, these sprays can be used against wasp nests. The sprays have a range of about 20 feet, and they spread out the further away you are from the nest. This spread will allow you to catch more wasps. It’s important to maintain this distance of 20 feet, because at shorter ranges, the spray goes in a more straight line, which means that many wasps will be able to escape it.
The nest should also only be sprayed at dawn, when most of the wasps will be inside and the temperature is lower. The spray will soak the wasps that are inside the nest, causing them to seize up. You can then wait for 24 hours and most of the wasps should be dead and the nest can be destroyed. This step is important as well, because a different queen or colony may take up residence in the nest and use it again.
Dealing with a wasp infestation safely
Again, it’s not recommended to tackle a wasp infestation by yourself, especially if you do not have proper protective and respiratory equipment. Wasps can be extremely territorial and they will swarm and sting any attacker repeatedly if they believe that the nest is threatened. The best way to safely remove a wasp infestation is to call in a pest control specialist. Contact us today if you have a wasp nest on your property.