Wasp & Hornet Spray

I am asked quite a bit about using wasp and hornet spray as a self-defense tool.  The best answer is one I read (but forgot who wrote it) and will quote it here:  “While it IS effective at hurting people, I view it’s effectiveness about the same as using a white phosphorous grenade to defend yourself from an attacker in an elevator. Will it stop your attacker? Most likely. Will it also hurt you? VERY likely if your attacker is within realistic attack distance”.

That pretty much explains it.  Wasp and hornet spray is VERY powerful but it also has a wide range which means it has a good chance of harming you also.  That’s why we don’t recommend it.  This same person goes on to say:

“If your attacker uses a bullhorn when they’re 50 feet downwind in an open parking lot to announce that they’re going to walk over and attack you, then it might be a good solution. But if you’re within smelling distance, in a vehicle, around other people, at your front door, or in your home, you might want to seriously consider using something non-toxic like pepper spray”.

Bottom line…pepper sprays are much better for self defense. However, remember, even with pepper sprays, you need to hold it as far away from your face as possible.  If you are at home and attacked and there is a can of wasp and hornet spray close by and it’s all you have, then use it…but it is not my suggested use of a self protection weapon.  On the other hand, given this type of scenario, any aerosol sprayed in an attacker’s eyes makes a good improvised weapon.