Wasps are most active in the warm summer months. In Ireland, the Common Wasp and German Wasp cause the most annoyance and painful stings. Even with their special yellow and black body, they can still be confused with hornets, although hornets are not as common in this country, they can still bite and sting you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are probably the most maligned of pests, because of their cantankerous, aggressive nature and nasty stings. But how much do you know about these persistent summer insects<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you mention wasps to most people, the first thing they\u2019ll probably think about is painful stings. If you\u2019ve been unfortunate enough to get a wasp sting<\/a>, you\u2019re unlikely to forget the experience! But exactly what dangers do wasps pose? Let\u2019s consider some common questions. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It probably comes as no surprise to learn that wasps can sting or bite. Their fearsome reputation is certainly deserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some species of wasps bite<\/a>, though they rarely bite humans. Instead, they usually bite smaller insects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When wasps want to deter humans, they usually resort to stinging rather than biting. The reason for this is obvious. If you\u2019ve ever been stung, you\u2019ll know how effective this form of attack is. However, do remember that wasps<\/a> will generally only sting if they feel threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Again, the wasp\u2019s reputation is deserved! If it attacks you, it can sting you many times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A wasp\u2019s stinger is smooth, like a needle, so it can sting your skin many times. Unlike bees, wasps don\u2019t lose their stingers when they attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t confuse wasps with bees<\/a>. If a bee stings you, it leaves its stinger in your skin, which leads to the bee\u2019s own death. Wasps<\/a>, as you now know, are able to retract their stingers from your skin and attack many times if they take a disliking to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more:<\/strong><\/em> Signs of Wasp Nest<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The usual reaction to a wasp sting<\/a> is to scream loudly and jump up and down. However, this perfectly natural reaction is not really going to help your situation!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve come to terms with the fact that a wasp has stung you, you need to try to calmly assess the situation. The first thing you\u2019re going to want to do is ensure you\u2019re not having an allergic reaction to sting. If you start to go into shock, seek immediate medical assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re not going into shock, you\u2019re still going to need to take some quick practical steps to protect yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more:<\/strong><\/em> How to prevent wasps<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n People often confuse wasps with other pests. Let\u2019s learn some more about how wasps differ from other insects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Did you know that hornets are a type of wasp?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hornets<\/a> tend to be much bigger wasps, and are usually black and white, or brownish red. Although many wasps are yellow and black, their colouring depends on the species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Did we tell you that wasps are not the same as bees?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although wasps and bees<\/a> are different insects, they are both from the Hymenoptera <\/em>order of insects. However, they are visibly different. Wasps are smooth, slender, almost graceful insects, whereas bees tend to be larger, hairier and, well, less graceful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The other difference is in their personalities. It won\u2019t surprise you to learn that wasps are more aggressive than bees<\/a>. Remembers, if a bee stings you, it will die afterwards. So a bee will need to have a pretty compelling reason before it decides to attack you. On the other hand, it takes very little to provoke a wasp! And, if you annoy a wasp, it can sting you many times. Bees seem almost pacifist by comparison!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are experiencing high numbers of wasps<\/a> in your home or business there is likely to be a nest nearby, either on your property, in your garden or very close by. A mature nest in summer can contain thousands of wasps. Wasps make their nests from chewed wood pulp and saliva, giving them distinctive papery walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Removing a wasp nest <\/a>can be very dangerous. Wasps inside the nest will feel threatened and often become aggressive. This could cause them to sting you and others as they defend their nest and young. To reduce the risk of stings to you and your family, arrange for a professional wasp nest treatment<\/a>. This effective solution will eliminate the wasps and keep you safe from the threat of stings.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWasp stings<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Do wasps sting or bite?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Can wasps sting more than once?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Do wasps die when they sting you?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How do you treat a wasp sting?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Wasps and other pests<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s the difference between wasps and hornets?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s the difference between wasps and bees?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wasp Nest Removal<\/h1>\n\n\n\n