Insect Attacks - Be Prepared!

Some of you may know that I have had very little critter issues although most of what I do is outdoors along with Mother Nature and all her beauty and potential mayhem.

Bear with me - there is some important care information below.

I have much respect and kind regard for wasps unlike most other potentially harmful insects, particularly of the airborne type.

I have done my share of not intruding their space (nest) and have on occasion moved (yes) a nest or two on their behalf. Yet, I have also had to eradicate a few nests. If you so desire, learn about my other wasp experiences and advice at https://shootsandmatters.blogspot.com/search?q=wasp and scroll down.

Until last Friday I have only been stung by a wasp once. I was pruning this gorgeous young japanese maple which had a fairly open branch structure, but she needed some attention. Wasps will place a nest most anywhere they can hang one. My problem that day was most of my experience with wasps have been when working on dense shrubs, not trees.

So, a few minutes into pruning, without warning, a wasp came and lit into my upper bicep. I didn't notice it was a wasp until it was flying away. I thought it to be a rare errant wasp on the loose, but I did go grab my small container of Gold Bond Pain & Itch Relief Antiseptic Spray.

This stuff almost immediately takes the zing out of the sting (or bite) and I have noticed less welting with fire ant bites. Actually, fire ants don't bite, but sting with their abdomens and they waste no time in doing so. Also, wasps don't leave a stinger like bees do, which needs to be removed as soon as possible.

I sprayed the Gold Bond on the point of contact and went back to work, but first I did a little looking around and probing of the japanese maple branches and leaf stems, finding nothing obvious or any wasps hovering about what would be a nest.

Problem: I was looking for the obvious and didn't take much time doing so.

I continued happily pruning this girl and another wasp realized I hadn't quite got the message as I was disrupting the branch where they had placed their home or at least the location for the next generation to begin.

I hadn't seen the nest yet, but I certainly saw the wasp as it zeroed in on my upper left chest and made a direct hit through my shirt. Note: Under Armor is not armor.

Two zingers in about two minutes - there had to be a nest. I found it, broke out ye old wasp and hornet killer spray, saturated and flung the nest far from where I was working. Wasps don't have the vengeful thing going on like yellow jackets (a type of wasp) and usually get disoriented and have never attacked me once the nest is neutralized or moved.

The Gold Bond did its job as usual and the pain and itching was negligible. The container I have is very small and I recommend you have one at home, in your car and outdoor or sport bag, particularly if you have young children. The pain can be quite terrifying to a young one and beyond relieving the pain you definitely don't want them fearing the great (not always, obviously) outdoors. Of course there are other things you want to watch for, particularly if the victim is allergic to such things. Use webMD or other sources for more information.

I went on to prune a crepe myrtle and two japanese maples.

I don't know if these wasps were on steroids, crack or what. Or, perhaps the stings being about eight inches apart didn't help, but within a few hours my left arm swole up (Southern dialect) and after about six hours it was nearly twice the size of my right arm. Several friends said the swelling was probably due to an allergic reaction. I know my heart rate was somewhat elevated, but I was working in the heat. I thought to myself, "Why don't I go find those two wasps, with full venom sacs, and have them sting you twice in very nearby locations. You can call it allergic or whatever you like." And then throw in a, "Bless your heart. You must be allergic to wasps."

I did take Benadryl, which I have never before, and everyone told me I would be out within an hour. Well, it was about seven hours later before I truly went to sleep. Then again, I love coffee, but it doesn't wake me.

I did apply aloe vera gel to the sting area and vinegar (my go-to natural) to the swollen areas which were red and somewhat itchy.

Other than that, it was a great day of pruning crepe myrtles and japanese maples. Some things are worth it.

See wasps; I win!