6 Tips on How to NOT Get Stung By a Wasp

Wasps suck. They're angry, unpredictable, easily irritated, and show no compassion for young or old people. Even a rattlesnake will give a warning if it feels endangered but not the wasp. It doesn't extend that kind of courtesy and its sting is very painful.

It's hard to imagine that wasps can be helpful, but they do help control mosquito, beetle, and fly populations so I'll give it that. But they still suck.

So how can we avoid being stung? Well, there's no sure way but these 6 commandments may help.

1. Thou shalt not frighten them or tease them. They have zero sense of humor if played with. And get this: when threatened a wasp will emit a pheromone, which signals other wasps to join in. That is called a very bad day.

2. Thou shalt not flail about when a wasp approaches. If you swat at it the wasp considers this an aggressive attack and will definitely defend itself.

3. Thou shalt not jump in a body of water. Wasp experts claim that this flying menace can actually wait for you to emerge.

4. Wasps can sting more than once. They are not like some bees where if they sting they will die. Nope. Wasps can continue to sting several more times.

5. Thou shalt pull the sting out with tweezers and wash with soap and water. Also use a soothing first aid cream and a couple of ibuprofen if swelling occurs.

6. Thou shalt avoid wearing yellow, white, or bright blue. Yes, they are most attracted to these colors but cannot see the color red, so break out that red wardrobe.

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