Wasp and Hornet Spray for Self-Defense

From time to time someone will recommend using wasp and hornet spray as a means of self-defense. Recently readers of 'Chesbro on Security' asked me what I thought about this recommendation.

The short answer is this: Wasp & Hornet Spray Does NOT Work for Self-Defense.

The amount of active ingredients in the spray (according to the label) are 0.04% to 0.06%; the compound is typically ‘pyrethrin or pyrethroids, which come from a species of chrysanthemum plant. This active ingredient is meant to disrupt a wasp’s  nervous system.

On the other hand, human pepper sprays target a human’s eyes and respiratory system. Think of the biology and size differences between wasps and humans!

Independent testing concludes that wasp spray is ‘minimally’ irritating to human eyes, so how could it be expected to incapacitate a violent attacker?

A couple of YouTube videos show people being sprayed with wasp and hornet spray, demonstrating that it has almost no effect and certainly would not stop an attacker intent on doing you harm:

Wasp Spray for Self Defense Debunked!

Pepper Spray vs. Wasp Spray Challenge: Get the Facts for Self-Defense

If you want a spray for self-defense, buy a product that is actually designed for self-defense.