The pyrethroid compound used in wasp sprays is synthetic chemical that has a three-week (3 weeks) kill time, which is great for killing an entire nest of wasps but bad for your shrubs when left on the leaves
Wasps and hornets pollinate plants and flowers and feed their young by catching insects. While both of these functions are beneficial, aggressive wasps that nest on or near your house frequently require extermination.
You’ll need some wasp and hornet killer for this job. However, before you pick up a can and start randomly shooting a stream into the air like Harold Ramis in Ghostbusters, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with these critical safety tips.
ALSO SEE: How to Crystalize Wasp Spray
Table of Contents
Dangers of Wasp Spray to humans with Safety Tips
The nest may not be immediately visible; some detective work may be required. Monitor the insects to determine if they are all heading in the same direction.
If you do not see a nest, look for a loose edge or hole where they are entering and exiting. For protection, nests are frequently hidden in out-of-the-way locations.
Every now and then, your winged adversaries discover a way inside. Typically, it’s a hole in a window screen or an unintentionally left-open door.
Your initial reaction may be to grab the can of wasp and hornet killer and fire away, but DON’T! These insecticides are intended for outdoor use only.
If a wasp is inside the house, simply use a flyswatter to exterminate it (or any other available bludgeon you can find in your near-panicked state).
Call a professional exterminator if you discover a nest in your wall or attic.
You should avoid engaging wasps or hornets when they are active due to the risk of being swarmed and stung multiple times. Wait until early morning or late evening, when they are largely immobile.
When exterminating potentially aggressive flying insects with venom and the ability to sting multiple times, protective clothing is critical.
See also How do You Move a Wasp Nest? – 5 Easy Steps!
Long sleeved shirts, long pants, and shoes that cover the entirety of your foot are all prudent choices. Obviously, if you have access to one, a beekeeper’s hat/veil is an excellent option.
You’ve discovered the nest and are dressed as a savage. However, even if you feel the urge to be a sadistic fiend, refrain from getting too close.
Prepare to launch an attack from a safe distance. These sprays typically propel their insecticide approximately 20 feet, though some have been known to travel as far as 29 feet.
This means that there is no reason to approach too closely. Additionally, never stand directly beneath the object you are spraying.
While the majority of wasp sprays do not conduct electricity, you should double-check the label before directing the stream toward circuit breaker boxes, outlets, or power lines. (Consider causing a short circuit that disables all outdoor lighting, just after you’ve enraged a swarm of hornets! Yikes!)
While insecticides are designed to be lethal to their target insects, they can also be poisonous to other animals.
To be safe, keep dogs and cats away from the area where you will be spraying. Additionally, wasp and hornet killer is extremely toxic to fish and other aquatic animals, so avoid using it near or on water.
Although sprays concentrate the stream at a pressure point to shoot from a distance, overspray and mist will still drift away from the main stream.
As a result, ensure that the wind is blowing away from you rather than toward your face when you spray.
Wherever the mist travels, take care to avoid getting it on barbecue grills and utensils, patio tables, or any other exposed eating surface.
Once you’ve established that your location, direction, and distance are safe, spray the nest thoroughly.
A wasp’s nest is constructed of tough, paper-like wood fibers that have been formed into combs with numerous cells; therefore, soak it thoroughly to ensure that the killer has reached every pest inside.
When a wasp perceives danger, it emits a pheromone that alarms the colony. This can result in an enraged swarm launching an attack on you, the threatening troublemaker.
As a result, it is recommended that you immediately leave the area after spraying a nest. Resist the temptation to immediately inspect your destructive work and wait at least 24 hours before removing the nest.
Even if you believe no overspray has reached you, immediately wash your hands after using the killer.
After all, even a trace of poison can ruin an otherwise pleasant breakfast or piece of gum. If you are aware that the spray got on your hands or skin, thoroughly rinse with water. How exhaustively? Raid suggests 15 to 20 minutes.
Most importantly, exercise extreme caution! Wasp and hornet poison is VERY POISONOUS. It is extremely toxic to humans and animals, so exercise caution when using it.
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If it comes into contact with your eyes or mouth, immediately contact Poison Control at 800-222-1222.
If an emergency occurs, bring the can with you so that medical personnel are aware of the situation.
As you’ve probably guessed, wasp and hornet spraying is a serious business. However, if you carefully follow the instructions and warnings on the can, you can safely rid your home of dangerous and aggressive pests. In-store or online, you can purchase a can of wasp and hornet killer.
First Aid Supplies
A well-stocked first aid kit will include some of the supplies necessary for pesticide exposure treatment. When establishing a first aid station for pesticide emergencies, ensure that the following items are included:
- Bottle of eyewash
- Plenty of safe drinking water
- Ipecac syrup Activated charcoal powder
- Soap
- Towels that are disposable
- Change of clean clothes
Now is the time to compile a list of emergency telephone numbers that will be easily accessible in the event of an emergency.
Numerous sources of information about pesticide poisoning emergencies are included in the following list.
Additionally, you should include the contact information for your local emergency response provider (e.g., 911) and an emergency medical facility.
How Long is Wasp Spray Poisonous?
This chemical is effective for up to three weeks, which is beneficial for eliminating an entire nest of wasps but detrimental to your shrubs if left on the leaves.
Pyrethroids are marketed under a variety of trade names, including prallethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, allethrin, and pyresin.
Is Wasp Sting Poisonous to Humans?
Wasp and hornet poison is VERY POISONOUS. It is extremely toxic to humans and animals, so exercise caution when using it. If it comes into contact with your eyes or mouth, immediately contact Poison Control at 800-222-1222.
Is inhaling wasp spray harmful?
According to ABC News, individuals can crystallize the spray liquid on hot metal sheets, allowing the substance to be inhaled or injected. …
Additionally, the chemicals can cause an increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, headache, nausea, coordination problems, as well as swelling and burning sensations.
How long does wasp and hornet spray last?
Wasp and hornet spray eliminates the entire nest and is effective against returning wasps and hornets for up to four weeks.
Can I Sleep in my Room after Spraying Bug Spray?
As previously stated, the odor is the best indicator of a room’s safety following a Raid application. Therefore, if you cannot smell the insecticide, you should feel safe sleeping in the room — provided that you have properly ventilated it.
How Long do Pesticides Stay in your Body?
To estimate persistence, pesticide half-lives can be classified into three categories. These are classified as low (half-life less than 16 days), moderate (16 to 59 days), and high (over 60 days). Pesticides with shorter half-lives accumulate less because they have a much lower chance of persisting in the environment.
What do you do if you spray a wasp spray inside?
Get your family and pets outside and open the windows for ventilation. After some time, you can come in to check if the smell is gone.
See also Do Bees and Wasps like each other? [Find Out]
What do you do if you Accidentally Spray a Wasp Repellent inside?
In a spray bottle, combine 1 tablespoon dish soap and 2 cups water. Shake the bottle thoroughly to ensure that the soap and water are completely combined. When you see a wasp inside, spray it with the solution and wait 10 to 15 minutes for it to die. It should be swept and dusted with a broom and dustpan and discarded.
Will Wasps return to a Sprayed Nest?
After thoroughly spraying a nest with pesticide, it is best to leave it alone and return the next day to remove it. If any hornets or wasps survive, they will return to the nest, and the spray’s residual effects will eliminate those insects as well.
How Far Can Wasp Spray Shoot?
Wasp spray can shoot approximately 20 to 22 feet
Capable of spraying a considerable distance: A can of wasp and hornet killer should have a reasonable spray distance, allowing you to stay as far away from the nest as possible.
The majority of sprays on the market have a range of approximately 20 to 22 feet.
Is it safe to spray Raid inside your house?
Raid contains two potentially hazardous chemicals: cyclomethrin and imiprothrin. When inhaled, they can cause congestion, breathing difficulties, and excessive coughing.
Raid is also toxic to children and pets if they enter a room before it has dried or when it is being sprayed.
Can Raid wasp spray be used indoors?
Raid® Flying Insect Killer is a specially formulated insecticide that is effective against a variety of flying insects, including flies, mosquitoes, wasps, and hornets. It is suitable for indoor and outdoor use and has a pleasant Outdoor Fresh® fragrance.
How Long can a Wasp Survive in an Enclosed Space?
The adult Polistes wasp emerges from the pupa after 22 days, while the adult Polistes wasp lives for approximately 38 days.
A wasp that lives indoors can survive for up to ten days without food or water. Wasps, including Yellowjackets and Paper wasps, are warm-season insects that begin nest construction in late spring or early summer.
How Long is Raid Toxic?
If you leave the spray on and allow it to dry, it will continue to kill cockroaches with residual action for up to two weeks, or until the bugs come into contact with it.
How Long after Spraying Insecticide is it safe?
Additionally, there is no scientific standard for how long one should avoid a treated lawn.
Numerous companies that use these chemicals advise people to avoid spray-sprayed surfaces for six to twenty-four hours.
How long does bug spray last in the air?
When you spray deet into the air (especially if you use an aerosol), a significant amount of deet is released into the air.
However, the CDC reports that the chemical is degraded by sunlight and other chemicals in the air. In five hours, half of the deet released into the atmosphere will have dissipated in this manner.
What Happens if you Inhale too much Bug Spray?
Difficulty breathing. Coughing. Suffering from a loss of alertness (stupor), caused by an imbalance in the blood oxygen level. Bruises (if a large amount is swallowed).
How Do You Neutralize Wasp Spray?
How to Neutralize Raid Wasp Spray:
- Mild detergent.
- Warm water.
- Sponge.
- Laundry detergent.
How Long until RAID is safe for pets?
When finished, exit the room and re-enter with your pets at least 15 minutes later. If you plan to use a fogger, you and your pets must vacate your home for at least four hours and allow it to air out for at least 30 minutes afterwards.
Does Pesticide Poisoning Go Away?
If a pesticide is swallowed, it can cause serious illness, severe injury, or even death.
What Should I do if I inhaled Bug Spray?
Seek medical attention immediately. Make the person vomit ONLY if instructed to do so by poison control or a health care provider. If the chemical has come into contact with the skin or eyes, flush thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. If the person has inhaled the poison, immediately remove them to fresh air.
What Happens if You Inhale a Bug into Your Lungs?
Unlike your stomach, the bug will not be digested by your lungs. The bug will become trapped in a layer of slimy mucus in your lungs.
Perhaps you’re thinking, “Gross, my lungs are slimy!” However, it’s comforting to know that the mucus is present for a reason. It safeguards your lungs and airways against situations similar to this one.
With over 5+ years of experience in pest control and a PhD in Entomology, our author brings a blend of scientific knowledge and practical expertise to Pestifier.com. Passionate about creating pest-free environments, they provide effective tips and strategies for managing and preventing pest infestations. Connect on Facebook for the latest updates and insights.