Ask the Expert: Stinging Insects

Sponsored and authored by MGK

How can I stay safe while treating stinging insects efficiently?

Safety is one of the biggest challenges when treating stinging insects. Some factors are beyond your control; focusing on what you can control is key for staying safe. For example, you can’t control whether the nest is only accessible by a ladder or if your schedule forces you to treat during peak activity hours, making treatments more difficult. To help get the job done, focus on what you can control: maintaining distance, wearing proper PPE, and keeping your composure. For the best treatment results, remember to:

• Maintain a sufficient distance by using tools that allow for application from afar, such as extendable dusters or aerosols. 
• Wear protective clothing, including gloves, goggles, and long sleeves.
• Keep calm and composed to minimize the risk of agitating insects.

Add another layer of safety by ensuring your tools and product formulation allow for treatment from farther away. Make sure all your equipment is working properly before treating. It’s humbling to be the person running away from a hornet nest because your clogged duster ticked off the insects and did nothing to treat them. 

What is the key to communicating with customers when treating stinging insects?

Communicating with a frightened customer can be challenging, especially when stinging insects are involved. Many homeowners are unfamiliar with the specific behaviors and risks of different stinging insect species. For instance, they may not know that ichneumon wasps are harmless despite their intimidating “stinger” or that sealing entry holes too soon after treatment can make problems worse. Explain that sealing too soon can lead to trapped insects inside the structure causing further issues or damage. 
Educating customers about the risks and the treatment process can alleviate some of their fears and build confidence in your service.

To help get the job done, FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL: maintaining distance, wearing proper PPE, and keeping your composure.

What type of product is best for treating stinging insects?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for treating stinging insects. Choosing the right product depends on the species, the location of the nest, and their current activity level. Look for a product like Onslaught® PowerShot Wasp and Hornet Aerosol that has key features such as:

1. Power: Apply from a distance.
2. Knockdown: Take out the target quickly, often within seconds.
3. Residual: Keep insects from coming back.
4. Accuracy: Hit the target without wasting product.

Residual is important if a location has had repeat nests. There are reasons stinging insects build nests where they do. Locations with environmental factors like shelter or nearby food sources are ideal for stinging insects. What attracted the first queen will likely attract future queens, especially now that the area is conveniently clear for them. Using residual helps kill any returning foragers and prevents future queens from establishing a new nest in the same location.

Always read and follow the EPA-approved product label.