October 22, 2014

Insect news.

1. Cashier uses bug spray on a would-be robber. From the comments: "We had a security expert come to our office for a personal safety lecture and demonstration, and they told us BUG SPRAY is much more effective than mace or pepper spray. It lasts longer and won't evaporate in the canister like the other two." And "It's not just bug spray, it's the Hornet and Wasp killer. This stuff can shoot 20 to 30 feet and won't blow back at you with a little wind like mace. It also only cost $3 a can."

2. Viral video of a man with a live moth in his ear. Hang on for the moment when the moth flies out. Don't miss the tick they just happen to find in there too. Sorry to inflict this on you. I wouldn't have mentioned it if I hadn't run into that other insect news story.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wasp spray, great stuff. Long range...

chickelit said...

I had a flying insect in my ear once -- it flew in during a softball game. It was so distracting that I had to leave. A friend had me lie dow, head turned to the side. She dripped rubbing alcohol into my ear and the bug crawled out and died. Words can't relay what that all sounded like.

Paul said...

But Wasp spray can BLIND.

Make sure you need to blind them permanently before you start spraying.

Now in the house and a home invader, yea (but I prefer buckshot.)

Ann Althouse said...

The target of the spray is severely disinclined to seek treatment.

It seems pretty obvious that the spray was kept at the counter for exactly this purpose.

BarrySanders20 said...

That is a nasty surprise for would-be robbers/attackers. Possibly illegal too. The store will get sued.

The body language of the clerk is classic, with the hand on the hip:

"You want some of this, honey? Here you go!"

"Oh, your demanded money? I thought you said 'Hornet spray in the face, please!'"

traditionalguy said...

The long stream on target does beat a mist of pepper spray that floats back on the holder.

This Blog is very educational.

BarrySanders20 said...

Upon further review, if the perp here was not severely injured, then she won't sue. If she had been blinded, she would find a lawyer to sue.

Sertorius said...

I would take the wasp spray story with a huge grain of salt. The active ingredient in Wasp sprays is Pyrethrin. Here is what Cornell's toxicology site says:

"Overall, pyrethrins and pyrethroids are of low chronic toxicity to humans and the most common problems in humans have resulted from the allergenic properties of pyrethrum . . .
Many of the natural and synthetic compounds can produce skin irritation, itching, pricking sensations and local burning sensations. These symptoms may last for about two days."

http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/extoxnet/pyrethrins-ziram/pyrethrins-ext.html

If Wasp spray really was more effective than Pepper Spray (OC) or tear gas, militaries and police would use it. It is easy to find pepper sprays that shoot 25 feet.

Henry said...

I've heard of international sailors keeping wasp spray on board their boats for personal defense, given the legal impossibility of declaring a gun in different ports.

Sertorius said...

@Henry

I've heard of people keeping wasp spray for this purpose, too, but I highly doubt it would be effective based on the known effects of Pyrethrin compounds.

HoodlumDoodlum said...

"White woman sprays potentially-blinding insect killer in the face of a non-violent poor person, exclusive footage coming up after this commercial break."

phantommut said...

I've heard of people keeping wasp spray for this purpose, too, but I highly doubt it would be effective based on the known effects of Pyrethrin compounds.

1. Nothing in your eyes that isn't plain old saline solution feels very good. So there's at least discomfort if not crippling pain.

2. Suppose you're a thug and just had some unknown chemical sprayed in your face. Do you stick around waiting for some unknown effect to start making your eyes bleed or do you get the hell out of dodge?

Actually, if it isn't debilitating that's probably a plus because it won't cause the thug any problems in running away, which will encourage anyone with him (or her) to run away too.

BuckIV said...

My wife keeps a canister of bear spray in her desk. Shoots far and is disabling.

Sertorius said...

@Phantomnut

I wouldn't want to be sprayed myself. But **choosing** wasp spray over pepper spray, tear gas, or bear spray seems exceedingly unwise. That's my only point.

Beach Brutus said...

While Pyrethrin is the active ingredient for killing wasps (constituting on .025% of the contents), I think the true active ingredient for this particular application is the other 99.965% - "petroleum distillates" * which is probably mineral spirits. (* From the product label).

ken in tx said...

I keep a canister of bear spray for self defense, but I watched a neighbor drive off a bunch of dogs attacking her poodle with a can of wasp spray. It is cheaper. I have pistol but my female family is afraid of it. I hope we don't live to regret it.

Jennifer Whatnot said...

2 stories: St. Louis Cardinal Matt Holliday had to leave the field after a moth flew so deep into his ear he couldn't get it out.

Second story: When my little sister was an infant, a fly flew into her ear and laid eggs. When they hatched, they burst her eardrum. We found out when she wouldn't stop crying; picked her up & saw tiny spot of blood on the pillow where her ear had been, peek in and saw a WORM disappearing into her ear. Had to get all the way up to Chief of Surgery at the Children's hospital before anyone would believe my stepmother wasn't just a typical hysterical paranoid mother.

Yu-Ain Gonnano said...

"It is a violation of federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling."

Sounds like a pretty stupid law if you ask me.

But no one asks me.

mikee said...

This issue - use of chemical sprays - is discussed frequently on firearms blogs. The general consensus is that you'll likely be charged & sued, and charged & sued pretty hard, for use of a potentially deadly chemical to protect yourself from a criminal.

IANAL. Althouse is. Maybe she could ask a criminal lawyer acquaintance for details on the legality/illegality?