Going toe to toe with wasps is not a good idea. In most cases, you will not come out successful. There are various reasons why wasps will become aggressive and work to sting you. Making them mad is not a good idea. If you can safely dispose of a wasp nest as it is being constructed you should do so immediately. The larger the nest the more wasps are attracted to the nest. The more wasps show up the more likely you are to get stung. Do wasps die after they sting? No, they actually keep their stinger and can sting you multiple times. The venom is painful and a deterrent.
Let’s take a look below at what it means.
What Actually Happens
Getting stung or bit by any animal or insect is never a good thing. The human body is constructed to deal with these bites or stings, however, that doesn’t mean that humans welcome the confrontation. Keep in mind that every body has a different reaction to a wasp stinger. A wasps venom could actually cause a human to go into a medical emergency, such as shock. If your body is allergic to the venom of the wasp, bad things could happen as your body fights off the venom.
In the mildest cases, you will feel pain from the immediate strike, redness will appear in the area of the sting, and you might notice some swelling as your white blood cells attack the area of the invasive venom. Also, in some cases, you will notice a small white mark near the center of the wound. That is the location of where the stinger penetrated your skin.
If you have an allergic reaction to the venom of the stinger, your swelling will increase in that area as the white blood cells in your body rush to the site of the venom’s entry. A person that does not have a threshold for this type of venom can experience trouble breathing, and increased pain sensation, and would require immediate medical attention.
What Are The Common Reasons For A Sting
The reason why all organisms have a fight or flight mechanism is to deal with threats. When wasps feel threatened they will attack and sting you. The stinger remains intact and has venom that is enough to deter any animal or human from messing with them. Wasps use their stinger in the wild to paralyze their prey. This then allows the wasp to relocate the prey back to the nest for all to feast on.
If you get stung by a wasp the likely reason(s) is as follows:
- Protect themselves and the nest – defense mechanism to protect itself and its nest. Female wasps will attack any human or animal that threatens the nest.
- When agitated they will attack – like humans, no one likes to be agitated. If you are messing with a wasp nest and unable to actually kill the wasps, they will get very angry and attack as often as possible. Swatting at a wasp or waving your arms can appear as an aggressive act against the wasp and make them feel threatened. This will almost always get you stung and remember they can sting you multiple times as wasps don’t die after they sting.
Differences Between Wasp and Bee Stings
There is a vast difference between a wasp sting and a bee sting. Wasps do not lose their stinger after they have stung you. Bees however will sting you once and leave their stinger embedded in you. The barb from the bee stinger locks into your skin and is broken off along with part of the bee’s digestive tract. This causes the bee to die shortly after.
How Can I Prevent Wasps
Preventing a wasp from stinging you involves you actually keeping them away via pest control. First, take a stroll around the exterior of your home and look for possible nests that are being constructed. Also, wasps like to build in nooks and light fixtures that protect them.
Most wasps are also attracted to similar items as other pests. Keep your old food in the trash can and your home’s exterior neat and tidy. Also, try to stay away from perfumed toiletries and soaps that can also attract the wasps with their scents. Finally, try to avoid swatting the wasps and waving your arms to provoke them.
Other Recommended Maintenance
Keep in mind that wasps are not the only stinging or biting insect. Now that you are aware of the venom and how a stinger works on a wasp, it might be a good time to read up on some other insects in your area that can also bite. The most famous biting insect is likely a mosquito so if you are trying to limit the number of pesticides used in or around your home, take a look at natural solutions to keep the mosquitos away.
Next, look into the slope of your yard. If at any time water is starting to pool up in your yard or even near the foundation, this could be cause for an immediate re-grading of your yard. Keep the slope of your yard moving away from the foundation so that water is dispersed properly. Have your landscaping done properly to keep the water away from your home.
Lastly, if you find yourself stuck indoors and think that you have a bed bug issue, read up on the process of how to find bed bugs during the day. Remember that insects can make their way into your home whether you like it or not. Tackling the insect issue head-on should be a priority. A bed bug infestation is never a good thing and can result in bites all over.
When Do I Call A Professional
Discovering wasps on your property is always a tough scenario. Most homeowners are afraid of the damage a wasp can do to their skin and health. In some cases, a homeowner is allergic to the venom that a wasp carries in its stinger so having a monthly pest control service is key in this case.
You will want to call on your local pest control service to help eradicate the wasps, just as they would any other insects. If you aren’t sure who to call, reach out to your local home inspection team. They can conduct a home inspection to determine where insects might gain access to the interior of your home and also recommend a reputable pest control company.
Conclusion
Keeping insects at bay is a tough task for any homeowner. There are so many areas inside and outside of your home that attract insects. Your landscaping, outdoor water features, light fixtures, and possible exterior damage are all areas that can invite insects. In the case of wasps, they typically find the areas under your soffits or light fixtures by your garage for building their nests.
If you want to keep the wasps away hire a pest control company. You can assist your pest control company by keeping your home neat. Call Honor Services to assist you with some pest control recommendations while conducting a thorough pest inspection in Melbourne, FL, and surrounding areas.
