health
Britons issued urgent warning as 'drunk' wasps wreak havoc at beauty hotspot
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TL;DR
- Swarms of aggressive 'drunk' wasps are causing concern at a UK beauty spot in East Riding, Yorkshire.
- Wasps become intoxicated by feasting on fermenting fruit, leading to potentially more aggressive behavior.
- The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) warns residents not to disturb wasps or their nests.
- Wasps play an important role as pollinators and should generally be left alone.
- The 'drunken wasp' phenomenon occurs in late summer when colonies change behavior and worker wasps seek sugary foods.
- Rotting and fermenting fruit are attractive sugar sources for wasps.
- Increased aggression and sting risk are expected when wasps become inebriated.
- Families with young children and the elderly are at greater risk of complications from stings.
- Severe allergies to wasp stings can trigger anaphylaxis.
- Residents are advised to dispose of sugary household waste carefully.
- Swatting or aggressively waving at wasps can provoke them and increase the risk of stings.
- Similar incidents of 'drunk' animals, such as seagulls, have been reported previously after consuming fermented food.
- Experts urge people to remain alert around wasps during late summer due to plentiful sources of fermenting fruit.