Wasps can be quite the annoyance in Animal Crossing, particularly if players are unable to figure out how to avoid getting stung by them. Fortunately, there are quite a few methods they can use to keep away from wasps. Here are some easy ways to avoid getting stung after shaking trees in New Horizons.
Aside from being one of the most common insects in New Horizons, wasps are otherwise noteworthy because they're one of few ways that players can actually get injured in the Animal Crossing series. The player character's face will swell up until treated with medicine if they're caught in a swarm of wasps. In previous games, they would then have to spend Bells in order to buy a cure. New Horizons makes it a little easier, allowing players to craft medicine using a DIY recipe, assuming they have the correct ingredients.
Wasps also aren't seasonal, unlike the many of the rest of New Horizons' bugs, meaning they don't rotate out during different months of the year in either the northern or southern hemisphere. Therefore they have a chance to appear at any point, and it's a good idea to be prepared when going to shake trees. While it may be worthwhile in an attempt to find more Bells or even furniture items, especially for Animal Crossing players who are attempting to collect every available object in the game, it can be pricy or at least time consuming to deal with wasp stings when they happen.
How To Catch Wasps In Animal Crossing
Given that wasps are required to complete the Museum in New Horizons, it might be worth it to try and catch them first and foremost rather than simply running away from them. This can be done by turning around and swinging a net at the swarm of wasps, though it does require precise timing in order to avoid getting stung. Catching one wasp will make the entire swarm disappear, and once it's been caught it can be presented to Blathers and then visited later on in the Museum. While only one can be turned in, this tactic can be used every time a wasp nest falls from a tree in New Horizons, and is a good way to avoid wasting medicine. It's likely worthwhile to have a net handy while shaking trees for this reason. Wasps can also be sold for a decent price at either Nook's Cranny or to Flick when he visits, making it an even more viable option for Animal Crossing players to keep in mind.
Animal Crossing's Wasps Hate Party Poppers
This lesser-known method was discovered recently by New Horizons players on Reddit. Those with a reaction time fast enough can turn around and fire off a party popper at the swarm of wasps, dissipating them before getting stung. It's worth noting, though, that this might be seen as inconvenient due to the fact that party poppers are a one-use item that disappears after it's activated. Still, it's a fun way to get rid of wasps, and could be useful for Animal Crossing players who don't happen to have a net on hand.
How Not To Get Stung By Wasps In Animal Crossing
The easiest method, of course, is just to avoid the wasps entirely. There are a few ways to do that. Firstly, players can quit the game before getting stung, though this takes a longer amount of time and might be considered excessive. They can also aim to avoid running into wasps entirely by just refusing to shake trees, although it's not quite as simple to manage this in New Horizons. Many DIY recipes require wood to make, something that necessitates chopping down trees in order to acquire. Arguably the most well-known method involves just running into the nearest building before getting caught up in a swarm of wasps, though. Any house (provided the villager is inside) or public building such as the Museum or Resident Services works in this case. Outrunning the insects might be the smartest way to avoid burning through medicine in the Animal Crossing series.