Wasp stings rise as pharmacists see more patients

Conditions this year are more favourable for wasps than in 2024

A boom in wasp and other insect numbers has led to pharmacists hosting thousands of consultations with patients who had been stung or bitten, the NHS said.

Summer heatwaves helped insect populations grow in 2025 after a decrease in pest control call-outs for wasps in recent summers.

NHS Mid and South Essex said pharmacists held almost 2,000 consultations with people affected by infected insect bites in June and July.

William Guy, the service's director of primary care, added: "Local efforts to improve patient access to care are helping deliver more appointment than ever before."

The almost 2,000 consultations for infected insect bites was more than double than in July 2024.

Wasps were voted the second most disliked insect, bug or creepy-crawly in the UK

The UK has about 9,000 species of wasps - most of them solitary, meaning they do not live in large colonies and were generally not a nuisance to humans.

The species are the second most disliked insect, bug or creepy-crawly in the nation, after the spider, according to a 2021 YouGov poll.

John Horsley, from the British Pest Control Association, previously told the BBC it was going to be a "strong year" for the wasp.

"This year it's been very warm and very dry – it's been a very good year for them," he said.

'Unprecedented demand'

More patients also turned to their local pharmacy for advice and treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs) over summer.

There was a 40% rise in Pharmacy First consultations for UTIs in July compared to the year prior.

Mr Guy said: "We know there is further work to be done to make access to GP-led services easier.

"But I'd like to recognise the incredible efforts of local healthcare teams this summer in responding to unprecedented demand and delivering timely, high-quality care for patients."