These days, there are a number of rumors circulating, particularly online, that state various things about wasp spray, which is an insecticide, as being more effective than a pepper spray for the purposes of self defense. There are internet stories (you can’t believe everything you read…especially in this day and age) that claim an elderly lady was told by a police officer…blah, blah, blah…that she can use wasp spray for self defense. Before you run out and buy a few bulky cans of insecticide, be careful because you don’t want to start spraying people with something poisonous that can get you into a heap of trouble!
U.S. residents who are tempted to use this Internet-recommended self-defense alternative should know that wasp spray is an insecticide, and U.S. Federal Laws prohibit the use of any pesticide or insecticide “in a manner that is inconsistent with its labeling.” In addition, there are some of our states that prohibit the use of substances for self-protection that are not specifically authorized for that purpose. What would happen if you squirt gasoline or kerosene into someone’s face? How about some sort of acid?
The main ingredient in pepper spray is oleo resin capsicum, which is a type of oil that is extracted from hot chili peppers and this produces a strong burning sensation in human and animal tissues, immediately upon contact. Pepper spray causes severe irritation of the eyes and lungs, and the person who gets sprayed in the face will cough and choke for fifteen minutes, their eyes will immediately close, and they will be way too distracted to continue the attack. Pepper Spray is non-lethal and does not cause any long term damage, harm or effect!
Wasp sprays, on the other hand, consist of one or more insecticides such as pyrethrum or propoxur. Although the toxic side effects of such chemicals do, in fact, include eye and lung irritation in humans, they are poisons for the main purpose is killing insects and can cause some serious harm or injury to humans and pets. Does that smell like a lawsuit waiting to happen? How about the stories of the guys who rob a house, fall down, get hurt, and then lodge a lawsuit against the homeowner?
The rumor also states that wasp or hornet sprays are effective also because they are manufactured for use at greater distances, and they will project farther and more accurately than pepper sprays, which typically have an effective range of six to 10 feet. Well, it is the key chain sized pepper spray that projects around 6 to 8 feet, as does the model that is disguised as a lipstick! There are pepper sprays on the market, such as the Wildfire 18% which can be available in a 4 ounce “stream” size, and this variety has an effective range of about 15 to 18 feet! Then there are even larger sizes that can shoot a stream up to 20 – 22 feet!
How reliably a wasp spray in the face might work, as a deterrent against human assailants is bound to vary, according to differences in the formula used and the fact that they were never made for the purpose of self defense in the first place. The effectiveness of insecticide sprays for self-defense is not clearly known and an adult American would be better off to fight back with a bonafide non-lethal, self-defense pepper spray obtained from a reliable source!
Wasp spray is a bad idea. But then again, so are rape and murder. If I had to choose between wasp spray or nothing, you can bet your sweet bippy that I would use the wasp spray. And I might get away with it, if I could prove that it was a sudden thought, a panic move in self-defense. But if the assailant sues me on the basis of premeditated use of poison, I might be in legal hot water. WHY plan to risk legal charges, when many of our products shoot just as far, and all of them are as effective or more effective and none of them leave me vulnerable to a legal challenge? When you think of it that way, a few extra dollars spent on a good pepper spray is like insurance. You hope you don’t need it, but when you do, you’re sure glad you’ve got it!”
Even though pepper sprays are completely legal for self defense, a few states have very specific laws regarding how and where you can purchase one. If you are within the contiguous 48 United States, but not in MA, MI, NY, or WI, then you can actually go online and order these wonderful non-lethal, yet effective, self-defense pepper sprays at a website such as www.FightBackGroup.com where they have an awesome selection, fabulous prices, and outstanding customer service! The items will be shipped via UPS to your door, and pepper sprays also make great gifts!
