What’s the Difference Between Wasp Spray vs. Pepper Spray?

Sources have been advocating for wasp spray and hornet spray as a form of self-defense spray and even as an alternative to pepper spray for protection against assailants.

Both wasp spray and pepper spray have toxic side effects like temporary blindness, breathing difficulties and nausea.

Wasp spray has also been seen to induce erratic behavior, increased heart rate and other abnormal side effects.

Allegedly, wasp spray is more effective and can shoot from a greater distance like twenty feet away.

If distance is what you’re looking for in a self defense spray we’d recommend DPS pepper spray over wasp spray. DPS sprays feature the longest range in the industry of 15 to 20 feet compared to the average 7 to 10 feet and 13 to 15 feet.

From the legalities to the ingredients of wasp spray, we’re going to cover:

• What is wasp spray and how does it work?
• Can wasp spray be used as a self defense spray?
• The major differences between wasp spray and pepper spray

What is wasp spray and how does it work?

Wasp spray contains neutralizing chemicals known as pyrethroids and pyrethrins.

The same chemicals that are responsible for stunning and killing insects can lead to increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, headache, nausea, and interfere with coordination and nerve signaling in humans.

Whereas, pepper spray or oc spray has similar effects like chest pain, gagging, painful burning of the skin, involuntary eye closure, shortness of breath, coughing and more.

Wasp spray is an insecticide that is designed to destroy and devastate the nervous system of flying insects.

When sprayed, it causes paralysis, making the insects drop out of the air almost immediately.

Some wasps may get more coated in spray than others.

If those wasps are still able to fly and make it back into the hive, they will spread the substance to all of the other wasps inside of the nest.

That being said, when you use wasp spray you should also spray the wasp nest.

The best time to spray wasps nests are in the morning or at dusk when wasps are less active and in the nest.

Make sure to wear thick clothing like a long sleeved shirt and long pants. If possible you should also wear gloves and sunglasses or eye protection like goggles.

Upon deployment, you’ll want to make sure that you stand 15-20 ft away from the nest, depending on your spray.

Once the wasp nest is sprayed and soaked, return after 24 hours to knockdown the nest.

Can wasp spray be used as a self defense spray?

It’s only speculation that wasp sprays shoot further and more accurately.

In some wasp sprays you will see a tight spray pattern with a small diameter, requiring the user’s aim to be more accurate.

However, we see the same range and accuracy in different pepper spray dispersal patterns.

When wasp spray is used as a self defense spray and deployed into a human’s eyes or inhaled through the nose or mouth, it temporarily blinds the attacker.

There are of course other toxic side effects that we mentioned above however, wasp spray requires the attacker to go to the hospital for an antidote.

What this may mean for you is legal difficulties since using wasp spray on humans is illegal. This could result in a lawsuit between you and your attacker even though you were defending yourself.

Ultimately, thousands of U.S. law enforcement agencies carry pepper sprays like DPS Pepper Spray X-Stream Range to use against aggressors, not wasp sprays.

It’s important to keep in mind that wasp sprays and hornet sprays are specifically designed to kill small insects not deter human assailants.

Even though wasp spray allegedly can shoot from a greater distance and supposedly is more accurate, there has been little research to back those claims in conjunction with being able to stop an attacker.

Wasp sprays should not be confused with self defense sprays or used as a replacement for pepper sprays or OC sprays.

The major differences between wasp spray and pepper spray

Many jurisdictions prohibit the use of wasp spray as a self defense spray.

According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) since wasp sprays and hornet sprays aren’t specifically authorized to be used as a self-defense spray there could be significant liabilities, including a violation of federal law.

If you take a closer look at wasp spray labels you’ll likely see the following statement: “It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.”

Contrary to other types of product labels, pesticide labels are legally enforceable, meaning the label is the law.

While wasp spray is not to be used as a self defense spray, pepper spray is legal to purchase or carry in all 50 states as a form of self-defense.

It’s important to note that some states do regulate the maximum allowed strength of the pepper spray, age restriction, content and use.

Lastly, wasp spray isn’t portable.

Pepper spray can be found in the form of keychains, disguised units (like pens and guns), bracelets and more, all of which are portable and easily accessible.

Summary of the Difference Between Wasp Spray vs. Pepper Spray:

Wasp spray is an insecticide that contains pyrethroids and pyrethrins. It is designed to destroy and devastate the nervous system of flying insects.

Although it can lead to increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, headache, nausea, and interfere with coordination and nerve signaling in humans, there is little data to support its use as a self-defense spray.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a reliable self-defense spray, you’ll want to skip the urban legend and opt in for pepper spray or OC spray.

Sources

1 https://www.livescience.com/65954-wasp-spray-overdose-meth.html

2 https://www.epa.gov

3 https://pestpointers.com/why-does-wasp-insecticide-instantly-work-against-wasps