The behavioural cue of ‘flexible self-protection’ is a way to establish whether an animal feels pain, scientists say

Crickets that received the hot probe “overwhelmingly” directed their attention to the affected antenna – they groomed it more frequently, and tended to it over a longer period of time, he says. “They weren’t just agitated and flustered. They were directing their attention to the actual antennae that was hit with this hot probe.”

Link to the paper

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[–] Mothra@mander.xyz 45 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I seriously don't understand people's assumption that insects don't feel pain, or people who think bug spray is a painless option to kill. Seeing the bugs squirm for half an hour should probably clue you in. Personally it's my last resort.

[–] MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip 4 points 17 hours ago

Neurotoxins make them squirm but also woozy. I think this is a ok way to go.

Though only for vampire flies and gnats, in a closed room.
Wasps you can shoo away with a spray bottle and lavendel oil or another oil they hate, there are lists of plants online.