Pest experts have urged Dubliners to avoid wearing bright clothes and perfume due to 'aggressive' wasps.
Rentokil, the capital's leading pest control group, have asked people to avoid antagonising wasps and other insects such as flying ants, which can happen when people shout or swat at insects. They recommend people socialising outdoors avoid wearing bright clothes to minimise the risk of getting stung or bitten.
The group also suggests toning down on perfumes when attending barbecues and picnics, as wasps are often attracted to powerful and sweet scents. Rentokil says the likelihood of getting stung increases around August and September as wasps begin to search for new food sources across wider areas.
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A Rentokil spokesman said: "A wasp sting can be a painful experience and can be particularly upsetting and frightening for young children. There are a few steps which people can take to avoid attracting or being stung by wasps."
Parents are also being asked to make sure their children have clean hands and faces after eating outdoors to avoid getting stung. It may also be necessary to check fizzy drink cans left opened outdoors in case wasps are stuck inside them.
A survey published by the pest control company reveals that Dublin ranks fifth for wasp callouts nationwide, accounting for 8 per cent of all wasp related Rentokil visits. While the number of wasps in Ireland remains the same as earlier on in the summer, the creatures become more noticeable outdoors as previous food sources start to dry up. They also act more aggressively towards humans at this time due to their depleted food sources.
An animal expert revealed on RTÉ Radio 1 that spiders, which are not a pest, are also becoming more visible in the home thanks to the recent warm weather. The false widow spider, which has a venomous bite, is making more appearances across Irish households. The public have been warned to wash out a spider bite with warm water and soap to avoid inflammation of the area.
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