UKWaspWatch launched to help take the sting out of summer

07 Jul 2010

Rentokil, the global leader in pest control, has today launched 'UKWaspWatch', the first ever Twitter map to log the summer's wasp hotspots around the country. With the cold winter behind us, Rentokil's wasp experts are keen to see if January's freezing temperatures will mean a reprieve from summer stings, or if the wasps will be out in force as usual.

UKWaspWatch maps the wasps and wasps' nest locations tweeted by Twitter users onto an interactive map, showing where wasps are prevalent. Contributors are also asked to rate the severity of the sighting - from a single wasp or sting, to a massive wasps' nest.

For many of us, wasps are a common but annoying sight and sound in summer months. But the buzz of a wasp means something different for anyone with spheksophobia (a phobia of wasps).

Chartered Psychologist and Psychotherapist, Professor Alex Gardner, explains more: "Wasp phobia" is very common. It produces an extreme reaction to the perceived threat from the wasp - like anxiety. The fear experienced is very real, and makes the body produce fight or flight hormones; adrenaline makes the person suddenly very alert and 'jumpy'.

"Whilst the best thing to do when this happens is try to stay calm, this is often easier said than done for someone with a true phobia of wasps. The most important thing to remember is to move slowly and carefully away from the wasp - sudden movement, or trying to swat a wasp away, can make it more aggressive and increase the likelihood of a sting."

To find out more about Rentokil's UKWaspWatch campaign go to www.UKWaspWatch.co.uk. Join the campaign and tweet to help Rentokil map the wasp hot spots this summer.