You've barely sat down with a coffee in the garden and a wasp is already circling you. In the evening by the water it's the mosquitoes bothering you, and by morning you're already scratching. It's all part of late summer. Wasps and mosquitoes are suddenly everywhere and the bites and stings pile up. Let's look at why it happens right now, how to avoid getting stung, and what genuinely helps with the itching and swelling.
Why wasps go wild at the end of summer
Wasps aren't the vindictive little menaces they seem to be, even if it can look that way. Through the summer the workers have a clear job. They hunt insects for the larvae, and in return the larvae secrete a sweet liquid that keeps them going. But towards the end of summer the queen stops laying eggs, the larvae pupate, and the workers lose their source of energy. They're left hungry and disorientated, hunting for a replacement source of sugar. Most often from us, in a glass of lemonade or in fallen fruit.
A few tips can help. Cover sweet drinks, and before you take a sip, take a quick look in the cup. Clear away fallen fruit regularly. And above all, stay calm. Waving your arms around only provokes a wasp, and a crushed wasp releases a pheromone that calls others from the nest.
Mosquitoes don't call it a day when the holidays end
Mosquitoes keep bothering you as long as the evenings are warm and there's standing water somewhere nearby. They're most numerous in the damp near water or on a still evening. And they don't bite for no reason. The females need blood to develop their eggs, and as they bite they inject saliva into the skin, which your body reacts to with itching.
Cutting down their opportunities is easy. Tip out the water from garden containers, watering cans and the saucers under plant pots, because that's exactly where mosquitoes breed. Put screens on the windows, and reach for a repellent when you're sitting outside in the evening. Less standing water around the house means fewer mosquitoes.
If you can't avoid getting stung
It happens even when you're careful. Unlike a bee, a wasp doesn't leave its sting in the skin, so there's nothing to remove. Wash the affected spot with water and apply something cold, which brings brief relief. Above all, don't scratch, however much it itches. Scratching only irritates the skin further and drags out the healing.
Why bites itch and what heat can do about it
Behind the itching and swelling is histamine. Your body releases it in response to proteins in insect saliva or venom, and that's what sets off the unpleasant itch. And this is where heat comes in. Briefly warming the affected spot can alter these proteins so that the reaction weakens. The itching and swelling ease, often within a few minutes. With mosquito bites this effect is the best studied. It's also a chemical-free approach, which will appeal above all to those who'd rather not reach for creams, such as pregnant women or parents of small children.
The Truelife BiteHealer works on exactly this principle. It's a certified medical device that briefly warms the affected spot with a ceramic heating plate. You choose between two modes depending on how sensitive your skin is, a gentler one and a more intense one, and the device switches off on its own after treatment. You can use it on children from the age of three and during pregnancy, always following the instructions. Thanks to its palm-sized format it fits into a handbag or a travel first-aid kit, so you have it to hand even when you're stung far from home.
When a sting isn't just a nuisance
Most bites are unpleasant but harmless. In some people, though, a wasp or bee sting triggers an allergic reaction, and then you need to act fast. If a sting is followed by swelling of the face, breathlessness, hives across the body or a sudden weakness, it may be anaphylaxis. Call 155 or 112 immediately. Neither heat treatment nor any other home remedy will resolve this, and a bite device is no substitute for a doctor. On top of that, heat treatment isn't suitable for allergic reactions. If symptoms don't ease or get worse, see a professional.
Frequently asked questions
Does heat work on wasp stings too, or mainly on mosquito bites? Heat is best studied on mosquito bites. It can also help with other common bites and stings, easing the itching and swelling. With a strong reaction after a sting, always watch for signs of an allergy.
What's the best way to prevent mosquito bites? The most effective thing is to reduce standing water around the house, where mosquitoes breed. Window screens and a repellent for evenings outside help too. Mosquitoes are most active on warm, still evenings near water.
From what age can the device be used on bites? Heat treatment is suitable for children from the age of three. Don't use it on younger children and speak to a paediatrician instead. Always follow the instructions.
Can I use heat on a bite during pregnancy? Yes, chemical-free heat treatment is a suitable option during pregnancy. Precisely because it doesn't work with any active substances, it tends to be a pleasant alternative to creams. Even so, follow the recommended use.
When should I see a doctor about a sting straight away? A doctor is needed straight away if you notice facial swelling, breathlessness, hives across the body or sudden weakness. These can signal an allergic reaction. In that case, don't hesitate and call 155 or 112.
Don't let a few bites spoil the end of summer
Wasps and mosquitoes are simply part of late summer, and there's no avoiding them completely. Most bites, thankfully, are nothing serious. You just need to know how to avoid getting stung as much as possible, how to relieve it afterwards, and when to pay attention. With a bit of calm and the right helper to hand, you'll enjoy the rest of summer just fine, even if a wasp drifts past now and then or a mosquito buzzes by.
