Wasps are well known for their painful stings, which are used both for hunting prey and defending their nests. When a wasp stings, it injects venom into its victim through its stinger. But unlike honey bees, wasps do not leave their stingers behind in the skin after stinging.
Why wasps don’t leave their stingers behind
When a honey bee stings, its barbed stinger gets caught in the skin of its victim. As the bee tries to fly away, it rips away part of its abdomen, disemboweling itself in the process. The detached stinger continues to pump venom into the wound.
In contrast, a wasp’s stinger is smooth and allows the wasp to easily pull it out after stinging. This means a wasp can sting its victim multiple times without injury to itself. Here’s why:
- A wasp’s stinger is not barbed like a honey bee’s, so it can smoothly slide out of the skin rather than getting caught.
- A wasp’s stinger is shorter and narrower than a honey bee’s, so it penetrates the skin more easily.
- The venom gland and muscles that control stinging are located further away from the tip of the stinger, allowing the wasp to detach easier.
Being able to sting repeatedly without harming themselves allows wasps to effectively defend their nests. It also means they can hunt prey like caterpillars without sacrificing themselves in the process.
What happens when a wasp stings?
When a wasp inserts its stinger into skin, it injects a small dose of venom. Wasp venom contains chemicals like acetylcholine, histamine, dopamine, and serotonin that are meant to paralyze and begin digesting the wasp’s insect prey.
In humans, wasp venom causes the following symptoms in most cases:
- Instant, sharp pain at the sting site
- Swelling, redness, itching around the sting
- Bumps or hives elsewhere on the skin as an allergic reaction in some people
Though uncomfortable, wasp stings are generally not dangerous for humans. Only about 0.5% of children and 3% of adults are allergic to wasp venom. In these unlucky few, a sting can trigger a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.
Treating wasp stings
To treat a wasp sting:
- Remove the stinger if still present by scraping it out with a credit card or other straight edge.
- Wash the area with soap and water to remove traces of venom.
- Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling and pain.
- Take an oral antihistamine containing diphenhydramine to reduce itching.
- Use hydrocortisone cream to ease redness and itching.
- Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen if needed for pain relief.
Most wasp sting symptoms resolve within a few hours. Seek medical attention if you have signs of infection (increasing redness/swelling, pus) or an allergic reaction (hives, trouble breathing).
Preventing wasp stings
You can decrease your chances of being stung by taking these precautions:
- Avoid areas where wasps are nesting, like under eaves, in ground holes, or on trees/shrubs.
- Wear shoes outdoors and check for wasps before sitting down.
- Avoid wearing sweet perfumes or bright colors that may attract wasps.
- Stay calm and still if a wasp approaches. Swatting at it encourages stinging.
- Have nests on your property removed by a professional exterminator.
Conclusion
Wasps can inflict painful stings as a defense mechanism, but their smooth stinger allows them to easily pull away after stinging. This is different than honey bees, which latch their barbed stingers into skin and injure themselves in the process. Wasp stings produce swelling, pain, and itching but are generally harmless. They can be treated with ice, antihistamines, hydrocortisone, and over-the-counter pain medication. Avoiding areas where wasps nest and staying calm around them can help prevent stings.