Everyone needs to know how to get rid of guinea wasps. Have you been stung by a wasp? I have and the first time was when I was a boy and I never forgot it since. Many of us may wish ill upon insects such as wasps. They do play a vital role within the earth’s ecology. For those familiar with “guinea wasps,” the following information has every objective of educating you further about these wasps. Perhaps it is more important to know how to avoid them and/or get rid of them. Guinea wasps can sting MULTIPLE TIMES!
About Guinea Wasps
Polistes exclamans (also known as paper wasps or guinea wasps) are found far north. Guinea Wasps are in Ontario, Canada, New Jersey, Maryland, Missouri and Texas. They are in southern states and even northern Mexico. Don’t confuse the guinea wasp with the yellow jacket wasps. That is simply because of their similar appearance such as the black and yellow markings. Guinea wasps have an abdomen that is black and yellow striped and have a reddish colored head. The wings have a brown tint about them as well. They are commonly more known as paper wasps because of the large paper-like nests that they build. In size, they are usually 3/4 to a full inch in length.
Guinea wasps migrated from southern tropical climates to further north. That is mainly because of global climate changes and temperature. The further south you go, the more diverse they will now tend to be. Guinea wasp nests are built in sheltered locations. Get rid of the guinea wasps that are hiding under mail boxes, porches, eaves of houses, above doorways and even on and around playground equipment. They mix the fibers of plants from dead wood or other vegetation and mix it with spittle. Each paper nest will contain an average of about twenty wasps. They can deliver a terribly painful sting to intruders.
Aromas attract Guinea wasps. Examples include lotions, perfumes, cosmetics, food and the nectar from plants. It’s not uncommon to see them around garbage cans or outdoors having a picnic especially with sugary drinks and desserts. Guinea wasps prefer eating spiders, caterpillars, butterflies, moths, insects and other dead animals that they come across from time-to-time.
How to exterminate or keep guinea wasps away
Before you get blood thirsty and want to get rid of the guinea wasps, consider whether the ones you may have around your home are worth disturbing. After all, just like animals in the wild, if they are really not causing a threat to you, why not leave them alone? Maybe you could let nature take its course with them? Guinea wasps eat annoying caterpillars and other plant pests that might otherwise harm your garden or flower beds. For someone allergic to wasp stings, you may have very little choice. If the first generation of worker wasps reached “adulthood,” try knocking down a nest you find around your home. Sweep it away safely and therefore in the process send a message to the queen wasp that she should go elsewhere to begin generating a home.
If the nest contains adult wasps who get “violent”, go about this task with much more caution. If you decide to take action and get rid of a guinea wasp nest, be sure to do it at night rather than the daytime. The reason for this is that most of the workers will be out. You won’t get rid of guinea wasps this way.
WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
The first step you should take is to change into clothing that will safeguard you from wasp stings. Wear long pants, a heavy jacket and hat, plus some gloves. If you do have something that can protect your face then you should wear it as well.
Commercial wasp spray
Next, if you’re going to get rid of all the guinea wasps you can find then pick up some commercial wasp spray. It must be specifically for wasps and hornets. With certain chemical or commercial sprays there are bi-laws to abide by. Be sure you’re aware of any before you start any big spraying jobs. When you begin to attack the nest and the wasps do so from a safe distance away. Be sure to layer the chemical spray onto the nest and cover all cells and areas of it. You should expect several wasps to start flying out and dropping from the nest. Kill the larvae. You can also use WD40.
If the nest hasn’t fallen down in the process of spraying, check it the following day. Ensure there is no more wasp movement or activity going on in or around it. Use a long handed tool or a broom (just to be on the safe-side). A garbage bag you can seal or other type of secure bag should do the trick for this job.
If you are the type of person who wants to avoid killing anything, there are solutions for you as well. Please don’t get down in the dumps about wasp issues. The first thing you might want to consider is the item that attract the wasps. Keep any kind of food indoors. If you have pet food that you keep outdoors, just make sure it’s all sealed securely. Odors are minimized from being released. Don’t forget to keep any garbage cans sealed that you might also be keeping outside. If you like to feed hummingbirds with your very own feeder you will be risking an attraction to wasps as well.
Natural Guinea Wasp Repellents Essential Oil
For natural repellent solutions to get rid of guinea wasps use a cucumber. Slice it up and put it around the locations where you fear the wasps are attracted to the most. The specific acid within the cucumbers is very displeasing to wasps and therefore they will avoid the region it’s in. Want to get a little psychological with the wasps? Get yourself a small brown paper bag or one that may resemble a wasp’s nest and hang it up. Wasps are very territorial creatures. If they see something that they may think is another nest, they will avoid the area.
These are things that you can do but there are also things you can avoid doing. Guinea wasps hate dryer sheets, geraniums, peppermint and cinnamon. Consider the color of flowers. Wasps are attracted to various colors. Avoid wearing bright colors that wasps may confuse for a flower. If you see wasps around you then don’t go swatting at them. If you kill a wasp then the smell released from it may in fact attract more. Finally, you can avoid wearing perfumes or anything else that smells sweet enough to attract some wasps to your attention.
HOW TO TREAT A GUINEA WASP STING:
- Cleanse area
- Take Anti Inflammatory Meds
- Apply Cold Pack
- Apply Corticosteroid or Calamine Lotion. If not available, use oatmeal, or a fifty fifty mix of apple cider vinegar and water
- See a doctor if you have hives all over, tightness in throat or chest, sweating, dizziness, wheezing, uncontrolled coughing, nausea or vomiting, throat tickles, or anxiety