HOW TO AVERT A WASP DISASTER! 5 TIPS TO SAVE YOUR SUMMER

One minute everything is idyllic. It's a wonderful summer day in the park, or round the barbecue... the food is spread out on the grass, the kids have got their ice creams, the drinks are poured - and then the screaming starts! YES, THE WASPS HAVE ARRIVED!

Suddenly the children start batting wildly round their heads, drinks are spilled, bowls are knocked over! Where did they suddenly appear from? What to do? Well, you might hit out with a rolled newspaper - but don't! Frantic hitting is a sure way to get the wasps angry and the children running scared.

HERE ARE 5 TIPS ON WHAT TO DO TO KEEP YOUR COOL.

1. First Things First
Set up a competition amongst the kids… whoever spots the first wasp will win an extra ice cream. it's really important to watch out for the FIRST WASP to arrive on the scene. This is known as the "Scout", and scouting is exactly what it does. It will find the food, assess the scene, and report back to Headquarters.

You need a strategy here. Once the first wasp has arrived, get the children to stand back, put caps on bottles, move really spill-able things away. Then calmly let the wasp choose something delicious to settle down on. Your aim is not to disturb the wasp, but to … trap it.

Trap it … before it's gone off to get the other gate-crashers. Best method for trapping the first "Scout' wasp: let it settle on, then trap it with an upturned glass, and keep it there, weighing down the glass if necessary. (This sounds like a good Father's task to me). That way you don't kill the wasp - which may alert and anger others. It will probably nibble away calmly, and it's worth sacrificing one dish to stop fifty more arriving.

Most important of all - keep the wasps away with a good repellent. Trouble is, most of them are full of harsh chemicals, some are toxic, and they all taste foul. That is why The Lemongrass Trading Company (www.lemongrasstrading.com) has had this brilliant and unique idea for a spray that's safe, edible and pure:

All the ingredients we use are from edible plants, some absolutely delicious, like Lemongrass, so it is SAFE and PURE, with no added chemicals - and it doesn't spoil your food or drink (in fact, we think it adds a certain zest!).

Stung? If the worst happens, try to pull out the visible ‘sting', soothe with an effective pain-easer like Wasp-Ese. Applying ice can help.

 

Allergic? A wasp allergy can be serious: if any one is susceptible, always pack a pre-loaded adrenaline syringe.

Now, have the greatest picnics, BBQs and outdoor drinks ever!