Wasps! I am afraid of wasps. I will tell you honestly, I am afraid of absolutely everything that can bite me, even if it is the smallest bugs. And, to be honest, even bugs alone scare me, and it does not matter if they bite or not. They are all disgusting, especially when they sit and chirp with their tiny wings! I respect them, and I understand that they perform an important role in the ecosystem, but what can I do; this girl is a frightened person. Although I love bees. But this does not mean that I am not afraid of being stung, for sure, their role on planet Earth is invaluable. But wasps are evil!
Maybe I am too emotional since I was stung by them only one or three times, but cheese, this should not be repeated. One of those times, I stepped on one barefoot while reaching for laundry on the balcony—I’m not even kidding, I limped for the rest of the week like a wounded soap opera character. It is very painful, and there are also many allergies to it. And if you are as scared as I am, or maybe you have no experience in this matter, but will be useful to you, let me tell you what to do when you are stung by wasps.
Wasp Stings
First of all, let’s clear up a bit of a misconception: wasps sting, they don’t bite. Unless you’re a tiny insect they plan to eat, but that’s a story for another time. It’s their method of self-preservation and defense. And they don’t drop their stingers, so they may sting you more than once, as if it isn’t bad enough the first time. They’re normally aggressive and will attack you if they believe you’re putting at the risk of their nest. They’ve been reported to attack our domestic bee societies, causing a great deal of a fracas in the insect kingdom.
Difference between wasps and bees
Besides, bees and wasps also differ in appearance, and the temper is not the only distinction between them. Bees generally die after stinging as their stingers are barbed. This assumes that the little bugger gets stuck in your skin, pulling its digestive tract out as it pulls free. Wasps, on the other hand, have smooth stingers – they are the hit-and-run drivers of the insect world.
Wasps are also thinner and glossier and don’t have the warm fuzz. Wasp sting symptoms may vary for different individuals. Common complaints include pain, swelling and redness. Others have a more extreme reaction as they develop overt symptoms of an allergic reaction like shortness of breath or swelling in the face or mouth, or even anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction. Scary right?
What do you do when a wasp stings you?
So, what do you do when a wasp decides to make you its target? I wanna say run immediately. Deep inside, yeah, that’s what I wanna say. But in reality:
- Stay Calm and Move Away. Easier said than done, right? But panicking and flailing your arms only makes you more of a threat. Move away calmly and find a safe place. Remove the Stinger ASAP. If the wasp has left its stinger in your skin, which is rare but can happen, gently scrape it out with a fingernail or a credit card. Avoid using tweezers as squeezing the stinger can actually inject more venom.
- Clean the Area. Wash the sting site with soap and water to prevent infection. This simple step is critical. Apply Cold. A cold pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a cloth can reduce swelling and numb the pain. However, never apply ice directly to your skin. Pain Relief. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help with managing the pain, while antihistamines can help reduce itching and swelling.
- Follow the directions on the label. Be careful for allergic reactions. This is particularly important if you have never been stung before. If you have difficulty breathing, dizziness, or a rapid heart beat, seek emergency medical help immediately.
Prevention
Prevention can be key for those who are repeatedly exposed to wasps. Avoid having such a strong fragrance and dressing in bright colors that wasps are attracted to. That’s what I keep telling my hubby every time, because he wears such strong perfume. Make sure your food and drink is covered while outside and carefully cover trash cans. Even if you find a nest near your house, you want to call a professional to remove it instead of a DIY eviction.
I have had only a couple of encounters with wasps, but it was enough to understand not only respect but also the necessity to know how to deal with their bites. I would rather live in a world where I see them only from afar. Still, the absence of fear of occasional pain has helped to fight the phobia. And, although they look like a villain of a simple backyard story, the fact that wasps do the job and take care of the pests and help in pollination remains true.
