Is Wasp Spray a Good Defense Tool?
What would you do if you were in your kitchen and suddenly there was an intruder in front of you? Or what about in your garage or another area inside or outside the house where you did not have access to your gun? If you had both pepper spray and wasp spray within reach, which would you choose?
The common item that many people have carried in their purse or pocket in recent years has been pepper spray, but now more and more people are thinking that wasp spray might be the better deterrent when it comes to dealing with an intruder. On the other hand, others will tell you that wasp spray is inferior to pepper spray in this type of situation.
Both will do considerable damage if they hit the target area: the face. Pepper spray shoots out a solution that includes capsaicin, a chemical that is usually taken from cayenne peppers. It will cause a burning sensation of the mucous membranes, resulting in tears, pain, temporarily blindness and choking. Wasp spray includes pyrethrins, which are compounds from the chrysanthemum plant. They are designed to enter an insect’s nervous system and kill them.
The single biggest advantage wasp spray has over pepper spray is that it can shoot farther – 20 to 30 feet – and yet remain accurate. Generally you have to be closer to an assailant to use pepper spray and that closeness could result in your attacker grabbing you. The downside to using wasp spray on a human is that it is more likely to result in permanent damage to that person.
Now, if someone has broken into my home and aims to harm a family member or me, then I’m not overly concerned about possibly inflicting permanent damage to him. But I would certainly never recommend using it on a human unless you were sure that you were under attack. How about you? Have you ever had to use pepper spray or wasp spray on an attacker? If so, what was the result? Our readers would love to hear your comments on this subject.
1)Taking a walk, a pit bull charged at me. I pepper sprayed him right in the face & open mouth. He turned & walked away.
2)Was having issues with disgruntled ex co worker(female). Called in Security for advice. They said, don’t use pepper spray inside the office. The whole area will need to be decontaminated, taking time away from business. Wasp spray is ok inside.
Bear spray, which is pepper spray in a bigger can (though still smaller than a can of wasp spray) shoots a bigger stream, with better accuracy, 30+ feet and the can is easier to handle and aim than wasp spray. Its available at hiking supply stores and Amazon.
And you have multiple “shots” so once you get the target down you can give him more reasons not to repeat his bad behaviors.
I’m not saying a word about wasp spray…next thing you know the cartel in the white house will be banning that.
Mum’s the word.
Osama Opps, Osama – Obama, the only difference is a little b & s is gone.
The OC Pepper “Gel” sprays are more effective and shoot farther than the traditional OC (Pepper) sprays. Many police depts. have switched to the Gel devices and refer to them as (Liquid Napalm). In our CCW & firearms classes we provide Mace pepper Gel devices as a “Less then Lethal” option for self defense. This fills the “Use Of Force” gap from the (Reasonable) minimum force necessary to lethal force. And for the wanna-be Rambo’s out there…NO we do not suggest using OC devices in a lethal force defense incident, if other options are available.
I had the pleasure of using wasp spray on an “unwelcome visitor” 3 weeks ago. For the last ten years, the man has been incarcerated more time than not. My research leads me to believe that ex-cons become somewhat immune to pepper spray from repeated exposure. The wasp spray hit his right cheek and a small amount splashed into his eye. His facial expression changed immediately, from menacing to focused on the exit and in what seemed a practiced move, used one finger to pull down on his eye socket. Probably a technique to drain or flush his eye. He left my property immediately and I have not seen him since. I firmly believe that the wasp spray is very effective. Probably more effective than pepper spray.
Bil
The local cops (Sheriffs, and Deputy -Sheriffs here in N.Va.) have told me more than once, that an NRA MEMBER decal on your home’s ‘points-of-entry’ are, at least as efficient as a ‘Blue & White’ ADT sign …. Criminals are “lazy” , by nature, looking for the easiest ‘score’ , with the least amount of ‘risk’ … For less than $50. , I purchased two metal signs (one in English, and a second sign, en espanol) , reading, “If you are reading this sign, you are ALREADY “in range” … Of course I was referring to our dog’s hearing, and sense of smell (wink-wink, nudge-nudge) …. frank , (N.Va.)
The senerio you mentioned could never happen, my dog would have to be dead. Knowing him he would not go quietly and I would be in the fight with him. Since that would entail that either the intruder or me died, hence could never happen.
But to answer your question; Logically being that pepper spray has been imprinted on the mind I believe everyone would reach for it first rearguards of the comparison.
I can guarantee you that my next purchase for the RV will be wasp spray. Your human opponent will undoubtedly think it’s pepper spray at first anyhow. But what about an animal? I would think that wasp spray would be more a effective as it has stronger force to permeate the hair.
OK , no argument. I’ve been reminded that just about anyone you use it on is an animal, especially in CA & DC.
But I did like the bear spray notion.
Consider if you will the FACT that you and “your property” is not really yours and all , and you and your’s is government controlled. Therefore how you are allowed to protect is purely the discretion of the government and all it’s wisdom. Do not make the decision to protect yourself as you are not allowed. It is that of the government to think for you. To do otherwise is breaking some laws and you are the criminal.
Alas, too true, especially in the obummer clinton era.
I have both. Pepper spray on the key chain and by the front door. The wasp spray stays by my bed on the floor. After playing with both in a training scenario I would prefer the wasp spray because if you can’t get away quickly you will also feel the effects of the pepper spray.
Consider bear spray. It’s basically pepper spray in a large can that can shoot the same 20 or 30 feet as a large can of wasp spray. I’ve used it successfully on a bear–it did what I wanted which was to get the bear out of my camp.
Hope I won’t use them!
I’m old and poor! Nobody robs a beggar! Shame for robber if they do it!
The moment you post that you intend to shoot an intruder, you have admitted “pre meditation” and it can and will be used against you. A case in Missoula put a man in jail for shooting an intruder after he stated publicly what he would do “if he got broken into one more time”. He shot and killed a 17 year old and it was proven in court as “premeditated”. The DA would have had a very hard time proving the shooting was premeditated had he not made a statement similar to many of the comments made here about what you would do if……
Advice I got years ago…. “NEVER…. EVER…. post anything on the internet or in an email that could possibly be used against you in court.”
I can see that happening bob, but then wouldn’t you consider any lethal shooting that law-enforcement does to be “premeditated”, as they are carrying a load weapon around, and have traded to shoot to kill?!? Sounds like the defense lawyer wasn’t up to snuff. Buying and/or owning a lethal weapon could be argued as “premeditation” under this logic, wouldn’t it?
Not “Traded”, but ‘trained’ to shoot to kill! I swear, I can’t type sometimes. LOL!
PS: Just (in both cases), watch the wind!
Bears don’t much like wasp spray either.
My 45 with hollow points is much more permanent than wasp or pepper spray. If I am ever forced to use it, I pray I will have the strength to make it permanent.
got cut off in traffic doing auto parts delivery’s between jobs. going back to the store 2 guys iina small truck cut meoff in the right hand turn lane. i sounded the horn and they gave me the finger. i pulled into the back of the store and the guy got out and started to come at me. pepper sprayed him in the eys and it just pissed him off. he pulled a large metal pipe out and i drew my amt 45 back up. that stoped him cold. he was surprised to see a 45 pointed at him. the guys acroos the street at the auto repair saw the whole thing. i got the kick name, wayatt Erp. don’t depend on bear spray or pepper sray. wasp spray in that guys face would of suffacated him.
I go into CA a lot and there you have no right to defend yourself. Their officials are afraid of guns.
The problem of using “Less Than Lethal” force is the litigation that follows. Whereas if you just maim an intruder/criminal invading your home in the middle of the night (rather than ending him) it is probable you will be sued by him, in a civil lawsuit, for the life of pain and suffering he will have to endure fo the remainder of his years. These suits have happened and the plantiffs have won substancial judgements.
The PC liberals who are castigating our police forces now, would love to have you in a court where they could make you an example. This would be a national news event and your life would be ruined. Better to go through the hoops to be legally armed and shoot an intruder to stop him permanetly.
Then you have the family coming after you because you took out the “bread winner” of the family.
That’s why you have more ammo…
I’m sure it depends on the laws in your state, but I was trained on the use of pepper spray. (Mine is “FOX” and it sprays a strong cone out.) We were taught that if you use wasp spray you can be held liable for potential injuries it can cause. The use of pepper spray helps sidestep this possibility. Of course, in a threat situation, the most important thing to do is to remove the threat by any means possible.
I have to agree with Lyn on this. If you check your can of wasp spray, you will find a warning against using it in any manner inconsistent with the product’s labeling or intended use. Thus, using it on a human when it is intended to be used only on insects would most likely open another can of legal woes.
The problem of using “Less Than Lethal” force is the litigation that follows. Whereas if you just maim an intruder/criminal invading your home in the middle of the night (rather than ending him) it is probable you will be sued by him, in a civil lawsuit, for the life of pain and suffering he will have to endure fo the remainder of his years. These suits have happened and the plantiffs have won substancial judgements.
The PC liberals who are castigating our police forces now, would love to have you in a court where they could make you an example. This would be a national newsd event and your life would be ruined. Better to go through the hoops to be legally armed and shoot an intruder to stop him permanetly.
On the road is one thing, in defense of your life in your home, he’s dead.
Like the sigh says: Those who enter without permission at night will be found here in the morning.
You have to remember ,the laws today are not for the inocent, but rather for those who wish to do you harm. Just like government ,they are all as evel as those who wish to do us harm. There are no honest polatition in our government , that is why this country is going to hell.
Dear Frank,
On the issue of using “wasp spray” I’ve recommended it for years as an alternative to a firearm for those who are gun shy or gun-a-phobic.
HOWEVER! Talking with the local DA over coffee recently after testifying as an expert witness on lethal force, the subject came up and he made an interesting point.
He said that with the Colorado “Make My Day Law” which is an affirmative defense regarding the use of deadly force for home invasion scenarios, it may not apply to using “Wasp Spray” even though it is not likely to be fatal.
Since there is a “clear labeled warning” that the product can cause blindness and is very likely to leave a poor attacker blinded for life, rather than dead … it may be looked at differently.
He advised he is aware of criminals in other states using wasp spray to commit armed robberies, but that is a different ball game.
He said he has never heard of a case in Colo. where wasp spray has been used defensively … yet. And, he hopes he doesn’t catch the first self-defense case! But, it has been a topic of discussion at DA legal seminars since the stuff is being promoted as an alternative to firepower by so many of those “Crazy Prepper Sites online” and ruthless “old school mercenaries” like me!
THUS …. to all our readers thinking about wasp spray as an alternative to pepper spray … do your homework locally. You may be justified in acting in self defense using a weapon, but not when you know in advance your weapon WILL permanently maim some poor innocent rapist!
God save us all from those bleeding heart liberals and civil court ambulance chasers!
Your Friend,
Orrin
I don’t think many people will be carrying a 20 or 24 ounce can of wasp killer around in their pocket or purse.
there was a tv movie that played over 30 years ago where a rapist tried to rape a woman and she held him hostage in the fireplace after she had sprayed him with oven cleaner or wasp spray i do not remember which it was . her 2 room mates came home and was trying to get her to call the police as he was going blind from the spray.
there is a technique that can be found on the internet on how to fill an empty spray can with what ever you wish such as filling an empty wd30 can with spray paint to disguise the paint as wd40 so you dont get in trouble for taGGING BUILDINGS ETC… would be very easy to put pepper spray in first and then the wasp and hornet to disguise it as plain ole airfreshner all one has to do is modify the spray nozzle with a drill bit so it will shoot a long and fat stream of whatever. just remember to check compatibility of the ingrediants and remember what is inside so you don’t have to clean up a mess because you tried to freshen up the room!
Now that’s a good idea, wasp spray. Why should I be concern about the health and welfare of an intruder into my home. I have a dog would I care if Harley took a bite out of crime? Heck no. I would let him have at it. If a person has the audacity to break into my home expecting mercy then he or she has another thing coming to them. It is funny how people now think that when they do something bad to you or others that they deserve to be let off with a less responsibility than they came in with. If these people decide to perpetrate an evil/crime against another then they must accept and expect the consequences of their actions, even if it means they may die for their actions.
So if someone breaks into my home, if the dog doesn’t get them then my 9mm will. Their least worries is wasp spray – but I would count it out.
I have used it on copper heads and water mocassins. It really messes them up
As a tradesman who regularly works in and around old structures, attics, eaves, under houses, etc, I’m constantly exposed to critters and “creepy crawlies”. As a result I keep wasp spray cans handy (as in next to the seat of my truck). Some jurisdictions (sadly) frown or prohibit pepper spray and the wasp spray is “legal” to carry in a vehicle if law enforcement asks me why? It’s handy just in case I encounter a “two legged creepy”.
I don’t want to find out if it’s effective as a deterrent but I figure it might buy me time to choose other options.
Exactly what I was going to relay. Many states will let you carry a gun but not pepper spray. There are places that you cannot carry your gun in your car so for those places I have carried wasp spray for years. I just rotate out the can every year so, so that I don’t have malfunctions. If you don’t call it a weapon it isn’t a weapon until it is used as a weapon.