Fear of wasps and severe panic attack

@lovebuglena (52143)
Staten Island, New York
September 17, 2024 4:10pm CST
We have wasps flying in and out of our siding above the front door and the window next to it. We first noticed it sometime in July but did nothing. It is only recently that hubby started spraying and even put up a trap to try and get rid of them. Wasps, hornets, bees etc. scare me so I was always afraid to leave the house because whenever I opened the door to leave they’d be flying over me. At first they were only flying outside but then sometimes they’d appear in the house, either on the window next to the house door or on living room windows. Lately because of this, whenever I was home alone, I’ve been afraid to go downstairs to the living room/kitchen area in case one or more wasps happen to be on the window. If at times I managed to get myself downstairs and saw nothing on the windows I’d eat in the kitchen (away from the living room) standing up and then I’d run back to my bedroom and stayed there till hubby came home. Sometimes if I went down and I saw a wasp on the window I’d run back upstairs and stay in my room all day till hubby came home, without eating anything. This past Friday, I was home alone and saw a wasp sticking out from where the two sides of the window meet. Then it somehow crawled out of there and started flying on the window. I got really freaked out and became hysterical. Crying, I called hubby and he came home from work to get rid of the wasp. I was afraid to remain home in case more appear, so left the house with him and stayed at my mom’s until he finished work and came to get me. Then on Saturday, being afraid to stay home, I chose to leave the house. I went down to the first floor and opened the door to leave the house. I saw many dead wasps outside on the porch and some that were moving. Some were also flying overhead. I quickly closed the door and after doing that I noticed a wasp on the window next to the door. I freaked out big time and was hysterical again. I called hubby and he came home again to deal with them all and help me leave the house. I spent the day in Manhattan and in the evening as I was waiting for the ferry to go back toward Staten Island, where I live, I had a severe panic attack. I was hyperventilating and became hot and sweaty. At one point I felt like I may throw up or even collapse. I spent the whole ferry ride in the bathroom splashing water on my face and trying to calm down. Even called my mom hoping she’d be able to help somehow. That didn’t help much but I felt slightly better after talking to my aunt and once the ferry stopped at the terminal. But then the panic kicked in again once hubby came to pick me up. He took me to stay by the water so I can maybe calm down. It was hard and at one point my right hand started shaking. I was afraid to go home. We ended up staying overnight at my mom’s house. Sunday I seemed to be doing better but then come evening panic/anxiety set in again. I was afraid to go home because I knew I’d be home alone Monday and Tuesday while hubby was at work. If wasps happened to get into the house there’d be no one to help me. And I was afraid I’d not be able to leave the house if I saw them on the porch. So I’ve been staying at my mom’s for two days. I finally called an exterminator. He will be coming tomorrow so I have no choice but to go home tonight. I’d rather not be there when the guy comes but I can’t stay away, even though hubby will be there to deal with it. Hopefully, they will be able to locate the nest(s) and get rid of it. But even knowing an exterminator is coming and our wasp problem may be solved I’m still afraid of being home alone. What if wasps will return or some left unnoticed appear and there will be no one to help me and I won’t be able to escape either. All this is making me really anxious.
7 people like this
7 responses
@porwest (112717)
• United States
19 Sep 24
This really shouldn't be making you this paranoid, but hopefully this solves the problem, and you can get back to normal. I don't like things that sting either. But they don't stop me from living.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52143)
• Staten Island, New York
23 Sep 24
@porwest and they are not afraid to use it lol
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52143)
• Staten Island, New York
20 Sep 24
I may freak out seeing a fly, especially if it is a big loud buzzing one flying like a speeding bullet but I don’t leave the house or hide in another room. And I’m not afraid to be in the room with one. I can even try to kill it with a newspaper or towel. But wasps and the like are a whole other ordeal.
1 person likes this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
22 Sep 24
@lovebuglena I mean, they DO have stingers. lol
1 person likes this
@rakski (156200)
• Philippines
17 Sep 24
Oh no. Maybe thei house is somewhere within your house. I watch in YouTube that they can live in a part the house. I hope the exterminator will get rid of it
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52143)
• Staten Island, New York
18 Sep 24
I hope the exterminator visit will be successful.
1 person likes this
@rakski (156200)
• Philippines
18 Sep 24
@lovebuglena I hope so too!
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
19 Sep 24
Oh Lena I am so sorry to hear this..did he come?
@lovebuglena (52143)
• Staten Island, New York
20 Sep 24
Yep. And I thought after he comes I will be back to normal but no. He sprayed but that’s it. I’m not convinced no more of them in the siding or that they can’t get in there. He did say no nest. But he didn’t actually look in the siding so how can I be sure? I know he is a professional so I should believe him but I can’t.
@RasmaSandra (97912)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17 Sep 24
You are in what us anxiety/panic attack sufferers call a pickle barrel, Cannot stay in and cannot go out, I sure hope you can find a way to pull yourself together once the wasps have been exterminated. Best of luck to you and virtual hugs,
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52143)
• Staten Island, New York
18 Sep 24
Thank you. I hope my fear, anxiety, panic go away. I have to live at home not at my mom’s house.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
18 Sep 24
The best thing you did was call an exterminator. I'm sorry you've been having panic attacks. I hope the exterminator will get rid of the wasps.
@lovebuglena (52143)
• Staten Island, New York
20 Sep 24
He said we have Yellowjackets. Him coming didn’t put me at ease though. Even though he said we don’t have a nest after banging on siding with stick part of the broom I’m still not back to normal.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
21 Sep 24
@lovebuglena I'm sorry the exterminator didn't really help the situation.
1 person likes this
4 Jun 25
Don't be scared of wasps Lena Or Bees They won't sting you mostly if you don't annoy them But they could just sting you even if you don't annoy them
@lovebuglena (52143)
• Staten Island, New York
5 Jun 25
That last part you wrote is enough to freak me out lol.
1 person likes this
5 Jun 25
@lovebuglena That's why I wrote it Hahaha
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@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Sep 24
I'm so sorry this is happening. It must be terrifying for you.
@lovebuglena (52143)
• Staten Island, New York
20 Sep 24
It is. Hope thing changes once the weather gets cold for them.
1 person likes this