Wasp spray not just being used on insects

Add Us On GoogleAdd as a preferred source on Google

Traditionally it kills wasps, but there's a new twist for wasp spray. A means of self defense.

Instead of pepper spray, it seems some people are using wasp spray.

We heard about this on our 14 News Facebook page.

You know how it works. A story gets posted on Facebook and all of a sudden it's being shared and spreading like wildfire.

A 14 News Facebook fan saw this one, and asked us to investigate. The post tells a story about a woman at a church using hornet spray instead of pepper spray to defend herself while counting the collection.

This story has been shared on almost a thousand Facebook profiles.

"The Internet. That seems to be the thing that's helping share information with a lot of different topics right now. Unfortunately not all the information being shared is something people should follow," said EPD PIO Sgt. Jason Cullum.

The story claims the wasp spray provides better protection because it can shoot up to 30 feet.

"We carry pepper spray that doesn't carry 30 feet," noted Cullum.

The hornet spray is much bigger than the pepper spray, something you can't conveniently carry in a purse.

So, if you're caught carrying with intentions other than killing insects, it could be considered suspicious.

"There's a federal statement that prohibits the use other than for what it's intended. Some of them have a legal disclaimer that tells the buyer that they're responsible for the safety once they purchase this, so if they start discharging it for it's non-intended purpose, there could be some legal liabilities that they face," Cullum told 14 News.

He says if you feel threatened, you have the right to use anything to protect yourself, but it's best to stick with the items that are designed to do so.

Cullum says pepper spray is a legal self defense mechanism, designed to stop an attacker without fatal consequences.