Both wasps and bees can inflict painful stings, but there is a difference between a sting and a bite. Wasps have a stinger which they use to inject venom, while bees have a barbed stinger that gets lodged into the skin when they sting. Wasps do not actually bite, even though it may feel like a bite when they sting you.
Do wasps have stingers?
Yes, wasps have stingers that they use to inject venom when they sting. A wasp’s stinger is smooth and allows them to sting repeatedly without injuring themselves. The stinger is located at the end of the abdomen and is connected to a venom gland inside the wasp’s body.
When a wasp stings, it first grabs onto the victim with its mandibles (jaws). It then arches its abdomen around and inserts the stinger into the skin. The stinger has tiny barbs that help it penetrate the skin. As the stinger enters, muscles in the abdomen contract to inject the venom from the venom gland, through the stinger, and into the wound.
What is in a wasp’s venom?
A wasp’s venom contains different chemicals that cause the sting to be painful. Three main components of wasp venom are:
- Acetylcholine – This neurotransmitter causes immediate burning pain and inflammation at the sting site.
- Histamine – Leads to itching, swelling, and wheal formation.
- Wasp kinins – These peptides cause pain by inducing inflammation and disrupting cell membranes.
In most cases, wasp venom only causes localized pain, swelling, and redness. However, in people who are allergic to wasp venom, stings can trigger more severe systemic reactions that require emergency care.
How do wasps sting?
When a wasp stings, it carries out the following basic steps:
- It grabs onto the victim with its mandibles to get leverage and control.
- It arches its abdomen around and inserts the stinger into the skin.
- Muscles in the abdomen contract to inject venom from the attached venom gland, through the stinger, and into the wound.
- Barbs on the stinger help it penetrate deeply and anchor it inside the skin.
- The wasp can then detach and fly away, leaving the stinger behind if needed. The stinger continues to pump venom until it runs out.
- The venom causes localized pain, swelling, itching and redness. In allergic people, it can trigger more severe systemic reactions.
So in summary, wasps sting by using a smooth, retractable stinger to inject venom. The venom contains chemicals like acetylcholine, histamine, and kinins that cause pain, inflammation, and other local and systemic effects.
Do wasps bite?
Wasps do not actually bite. They have mandibles (jaws) which they use to grip their victim while stinging, but they do not have teeth or a biting mechanism. Sometimes the initial grab of a wasp’s mandibles feels like a bite, but they cannot actually bite hard enough to break human skin. Only the stinger can penetrate the skin and inject venom.
Why does a wasp sting feel like a bite?
There are a few reasons why a wasp sting may seem like a bite:
- The mandibles grabbing onto the skin initially pinch and cause pain that can feel like a bite.
- The stinger punctures the skin rapidly, giving a biting sensation.
- The venom causes sudden, sharp pain that may feel like a bite.
- Redness and swelling at the sting site can look like a bite mark.
- People often slap at a wasp, causing it to defend itself by stinging what it perceives as attacking it, which may seem like an unprovoked bite.
However, wasps do not actually have the mouthparts needed to bite through human skin. Only the stinger can break the skin, so what feels like a wasp bite is actually just a sting.
Differences between wasp stings and bee stings
While wasp and bee stings feel similar, there are some key differences:
| Wasp Sting | Bee Sting |
|---|---|
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The main difference is that a bee’s stinger is barbed and lodges in the victim’s skin when stinging. The bee pulls away, leaving the stinger and venom sack behind to continue pumping venom. This causes more venom to enter the wound but also injures or kills the bee.
In contrast, a wasp’s smooth stinger allows it to sting repeatedly and get away unharmed. Less venom is injected with each individual wasp sting, but they can sting multiple times. The stinger rarely gets stuck in the victim’s skin.
Which is more painful – a wasp or bee sting?
Bee stings are generally considered more painful than wasp stings. There are a few reasons for this:
- Bees inject more venom with each sting since the venom sack stays in the skin.
- Bee venom contains compounds like apamine that specifically cause pain.
- A bee leaves behind its stinger which continues to pump venom until empty. This prolongs the pain.
- The barbed bee stinger also causes mechanical injury as it punctures the skin.
- Wasp venom contains more histamine than bee venom, causing itchier but less painful stings.
However, both types of stings are quite painful, with a burning or puncturing sensation. They can be difficult to tell apart. People who are allergic can have severe reactions to stings from either insects.
Treating wasp stings
To treat a wasp sting:
- Wash the area with soap and water to remove any venom on the skin’s surface.
- Apply a cold compress or ice pack to reduce swelling and pain.
- Elevate the affected limb if possible to prevent swelling.
- Apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to ease itching.
- Take oral antihistamines like diphenhydramine to reduce inflammation.
- Use ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin to relieve pain.
- See a doctor for severe reactions, multiple stings, or stings near the throat or mouth.
Most wasp stings can be treated at home with simple measures. Make sure to monitor for any signs of severe allergic reaction. Seek emergency care if you experience rapid swelling, trouble breathing, dizziness, or other worrisome symptoms.
How to prevent wasp stings
You can reduce your chances of being stung by taking these precautions:
- Avoid areas where wasps are nesting, like under eaves, in bushes, or in holes in the ground.
- Wear shoes outdoors and inspect areas before sitting down.
- Stay calm and still if a wasp approaches. Don’t swat at it.
- Wear light colored clothing outdoors as wasps are attracted to dark colors.
- Avoid wearing strong fragrances which may attract wasps.
- Keep food and drink covered or indoors.
- Call a pest control professional to remove any nests on your property.
Prevention is the best way to avoid painful wasp stings. Be aware of your surroundings, cover food, and don’t aggravate wasps. Having nests removed is also key to reducing stings around your home.
Conclusion
Wasps do not bite but they can give painful stings with their smooth, retractable stingers. Wasp venom contains chemicals that cause local pain, swelling, and irritation. While wasp stings may initially feel like bites, only the stinger is capable of breaking human skin and injecting venom.
Wasp stings should be treated by washing, icing, elevating, and using anti-itch creams or oral antihistamines. Pain relievers can also help reduce discomfort. Severe reactions may require emergency medical care. Avoiding nests, wearing protective clothing, and staying calm around wasps are the best preventive measures.
So in summary, wasps do not actually bite, even though their stings may seem like bites. They use their stingers to inject venom that causes a painful inflammatory reaction. With proper first aid and prevention, wasp stings can usually be managed effectively.
Wasps play an important role in the ecosystem, but can become a nuisance around homes. Understanding how they sting, and knowing how to treat stings, can help you safely coexist with these summertime pests.