What Should You Do After a Wasp Sting?

July 11, 2022

Have you ever been stung by a wasp? If so, you know the pain it can cause! If you are fortunate enough never to have been stung by a wasp, you can be sure it is something you want to avoid.

Wasp stings are painful. The good news is that a few things can decrease pain, swelling, and soreness. As a disclaimer- these are helpful tips. If you think (or know) that you are allergic to wasp stings or bee stings, skip the helpful tips and seek medical care immediately.

skin allergy stung by a wasp

Treating a Wasp Sting

The first thing to remember if you have been stung by a wasp is to keep calm. Wasps, unlike bees, do not leave their stinger in the human’s skin once they sting you. In other words, they can sting multiple times in a row. Therefore, it is imperative to remain calm. Most wasps sting when they feel afraid or need to defend themselves. If you panic, the wasp will sense that energy and may sting more times out of agitation.

Next, you will want to remove the venom from your skin. Removing the venom helps lessen the pain and soreness following a wasp sting. There are suction tools that can release wasp venom quickly. However, if you don’t have one nearby, you can pinch the skin at the sting area to extract the venom.

Once you have removed the venom, you will want to monitor the site of the sting for any potential swelling. It is common for even mild stings to produce a minor swelling. Sometimes putting ice on the sting site can help reduce the irritation and swelling.

Potential Side Effects of a Wasp Sting

Most people experience a reasonably normal reaction to a wasp sting. However, if you have difficulty breathing, begin to break out in hives, the sting site itches significantly, become lightheaded or dizzy, or start having stomach cramps contact a medical professional for help.

Although wasp stings are not something anyone desires to experience, wasps can be interesting creatures from a distance. Here are a few intriguing wasp facts.

Wasp sting pulls out of human skin
  • Only female wasps can sting people
  • Yellow Jackets are one type of wasp. They often appear aggressive. Although, they are usually just protecting their nests.
  • Yellow jackets are eaten by other animals such as bears, raccoons, and skunks.
  • Yellow jacket wasps don’t build their nests in trees but rather make them on the ground. If you are out and about in nature, be sure that you keep an eye peeled for nests on the ground!
  • When a wasp stings a person, it also releases a specific chemical that alerts the rest of the hive to attack.
  • The only time that wasps sting is if they think a threat is present.
  • Wasps are drawn to the colors yellow and white. For this reason, if you are out hiking or working in a garden, you may consider avoiding wearing these colors. 

Wasp stings are no fun for anyone, but the potential of a sting shouldn’t deter you from outdoor activities. The best thing to do is to be mindful of your space and stay calm if you are stung.

Why Choose Emtec for Wasp Control?

We are committed to safe and responsible pest control at Emtec Pest Control. We understand that your family’s safety is your number one priority, so we make it our priority. If you have any other questions about wasps or wasp control for your home or business, contact your Oklahoma pest control experts at Emtec Pest Control by calling or filling out our online contact form.

At Emtec Pest Control, we are committed to safe and responsible pest control. We understand that your family’s safety is your number one priority, so we make it our priority, too.

If you have any other questions about any of these pests or pest control for your home or business, contact your Oklahoma pest control experts at Emtec Pest Control by calling us or by filling out our online contact form.

Our Service Areas

Northeast Oklahoma

Central Oklahoma

  • Edmond
  • Moore
  • Oklahoma City
  • Yukon
Posted in