Why swarms of ‘drunk’ UK wasps are becoming more aggressive this month

Experts issue warning over ‘aggressive’ drunk wasps in parts of UK

Experts are issuing warnings as some of these are becoming tipsy and ‘agressive’ from the fermented fruits.

The warning is largely concentrated on wasps as they are likely to sting when drunk.

People are being urged to not disturb the wasps when they are in their nests, as they can become more territorial in these times. 

In Hull, the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) is urging families to reconsider if moving wasp nests are necessary, and contacting pest control if need be.

Drunken wasps, often described as ‘jobless’ wasps, aren’t a new addition to the end of summer in the UK.

According to environmental authorities, the phenomenon begins when the queen is fully stocked on nectar and warking wasps have nothing left to do. 

With no work ahead, the wasps lazily get drunk on fermented fruit. And no, this is not a joke. 

Natalie Bungay from the BPCA said the wasps are “best left alone” whenever possible. 

However, there are ways to deal with stings if a drunken wasps ends up attacking you.

Head of first aid at the Red Cross, Joe Mulligan, said: “When an insect sting is visible on the skin, a credit card can be used to scrape it away.

“Using the edge of the credit card, drag it across the skin. This will remove the sting. 

“Using a credit card or your fingernail is preferable to using a pair of tweezers,” he added.

“Some stings contain a sac of poison and if it is grasped with tweezers you may inject the sac of poison into the skin.”

All in all, it is advised to leave the wasps alone during this end of season. 

Bungay adds that wasps should be left alone all together, as like bees and hornets, they too are pollinators.

On top of that, wasps are a natural pest control, so more reason to not anger them, especially if you have a garden you wish to keep tidy.