GETTING UPSET OVER A WASP???

[Flavourofthemonth123]

So I was over at a friend's house today with our two LO's this afternoon for a lil New Year's celebration (mostly for them, I find new years a bit naff). We were sitting there and all of a sudden a wasp flew at her child (I was mostly shocked to see one in December!) I swatted it down on the floor and stepped on the bastard (it was on the kitchen tiles, so no squishy bug remains mushed into the carpet.) She was a little bit upset that I squashed the wasp in front of her child, saying she doesn't condone killing bugs. I said that a wasp is different from a spider or a snail because they can sting the LO's (I also squash other bugs lol but that's not the point!)

It wasn't a huge deal but I was just surprised at her reaction! Am I alone in thinking that getting upset over a dead wasp is a bit unreasonable? If there was one hoovering around your little one would you hesitate to smoosh him??

I've killed many wasps and will continue to do so. Getting upset over killing nasty insects who could sting me or mine seems a bit pathetic.

Sorry Stoppin but plenty of animals die during the production of crops. All that pesticide, soil damage, loss of habitat.

As does a vegan's @StoppinBy . Animals are displaced by modern farming methods (for grain, vegetables etc), and insects are harmed through use of pesticides. But maybe that's acceptable to vegans who like to yell "hypocrite" near any vegetarians? Anyway I didn't plan on getting into a debate about this so will bow out now.

Lol didn't expect this to devolve into an ecological debate I was more curious about the moral abhorrence of squashing Mr Wasp!

And, you seem to have relished killing it ... "smoosh" ffs... Yes it's the relishing that annoys me.
It's one of the essential skills of being a teacher to be able to deal with wasps in summer. One comes in the classroom. Cue exaggerated screaming. Wasp is directed out of the window or trapped by a cup on the window and then a piece of cardboard on top. Wasp expelled.

I tend to leave wasps alone. Simply because they are belligerent little cunts who im actually a bit scared of. Once angered they are worse. Im a bad shot so just try to ignore. I don't care if they live or die. I just think its safer to try and ignore.

Any other insect will be either left alone or gently evicted. Bees will be offered some sugar water and placed in the sun's warmth. Spiders will be named and conversed with.

My son got stung on his ear by one this summer, we were just walking along the road when it flew out of the hedge and attacked him. His ear was swollen and stinging for over an hour, I've got no problem smushing the evil little bastards.

Derxa I hate it when someone sees a wasp
In class and squashed it before I can do anything about it.

It's not about killing a wasp, it's about doing it in front of a child.

I'd have shooed it out, too much mess and they can take some chatting out, mozzys on the other hand! They eat me alive, so they are squished slapped, usually whilst biting me xxx

I'd have killed it. We have a fly-swatter for that very purpose & I'd have swatted a wasp child or no child. Bumble bees/honey bees now that's another matter. Wouldn't dream have harming them. 😉

Of not have!

I think you were right with ‘have’.

Oh, right the last one.

Wasps sting just because.
Sat in my car driving felt nothing then sting on my cheek out of absolutely nowhere. The bastard clung on and kept stinging (6 stings in total) whilst I did my best to pull over safely.
Sunbathing fast asleep on beach - sting on my tummy - again the bastard wasp just stayed there clinging on until dh swiped it away.
Sat in my garden reading a book. Very still and sting on my foot. Just the fuck why??
It's an absolute load of bull shit that if you are calm they dont sting- they sting when they want to in my experience.
Fucking hate wasps. They are a nuisance. Yes they are part of the eco system but they are a nuisance too. I kill wasps when they cross my path as I no longer believe they are safe to be left alone.

I have an excellent device for killing the bastard things. It's called an executioner. It electrocutes them. Zap and the stingy bastards are dead. It's just a shame they dont make a handbag size one!
I think it's pathetic to get upset about killing a wasp but that's just my opinion. I hate them.

I’d have killed it too. I have cans of wasp spray in my home for that very purpose!

Had to make sure I read your post correctly before replying. You stepped on a wasp right? I wouldn't lose a moment's sleep. Wasps and other insects are pests, if they come in my home I will kill them. If you'd squashed it into the carpet then I'd have been upset with you but you had the decency to step on it on the tile, I just hope you cleared it up.

Also never seen the word smoosh before I'm assuming it means to squash

Where's your sense of proportion people?? Of course killing a wasp is different to killing a lion that's attacking you, or a deadly scorpion, or a lamb to eat it. A wasp might MIGHT give you a sting that hurts for an hour or so. So you take it's life in the off chance? Without a thought other than for your own tiny little world?

The ego and arrogance of humans is so depressing.

We need wasps. They are not some random irritation they have a purpose and role in the world.

I agree with her in principle. I sit and seethe when people stamp on spiders and the like. Don't like wasps but I would endeavour not to kill it.

As someone said though, putting it outside at this time of the year would likely only result in its death.

The BBC in wasps.

It would not result in its death necessarily. There are other warm cosy places in your garden and sheds. Do you really think no wasp survives the UK winter unless it's in a house?

Haha @fromnigerawithlove I would've been more upset with the wasp flattened into the carpet than the actual squishing too!

I wouldn’t kill a wasp if I could shoo it away but if it was landing on people and wouldn’t leave us alone I would.

I kill mosquitoes on holiday if they come near me or are in my room.

Those who wouldn’t kill a wasp - what about mosquitoes? Just curious.

@miniepie all get smooshed. In Nigeria there are mosquitoes that carry diseases so squashing them can stop you from getting sick. Wasps sting and spiders and moths are just intruders so squash too!

if you remain calm around them they're fine you will believe this until you get stung by the bastards.