Named an effective way to avoid wasp stings in nature

Expert reveals a simple way to protect against wasps at a picnic: create a separate "buffet" for the insects

Professor of behavioral ecology Seirian Sumner shared with The Conversation an effective method of protection against annoying wasps during outdoor recreation. It turns out that it's enough to set aside a separate plate with samples of all dishes for the insects and place it away from the main table to spare picnic guests from unwanted company.

"When trying to protect yourself from an approaching wasp, many people panic and try to run away, but such actions are wrong. If you start waving your hands and shouting, you will look like a predator in the eyes of the insect," Sumner explained.

According to the expert, the best solution is to remain still and minimize carbon dioxide emissions. To do this, you need to avoid deep breathing and keep your mouth closed.

The scientist noted that female yellow jackets and German wasps (Vespula germanica) usually flock to picnics. The main task of the insects is to find food for their larvae, so to increase the safety of vacationers, you can create a separate "buffet" for them. The expert recommends taking a plate and putting a few pieces of all the food consumed by people on it. This will reduce the insects' motivation to approach the main table.

"If a wasp wants to land on ham or another protein product, it means that its colony is full of hungry larvae. The desire for sugar indicates that the colony is most likely in the 'twilight' phase of life, when pupated larvae do not require feeding," the specialist concluded.