Hornets and yellow jackets are common stinging insects often confused due to their similar appearances and shared aggressive tendencies.
Identifying Hornets and Yellow Jackets
Distinguishing between hornets and yellow jackets involves observing their size, coloration, and nesting habits. Yellow jackets are generally smaller, measuring about a half-inch long, with distinct black and yellow bands. They often build nests in concealed places, such as underground in abandoned rodent burrows, in wall cavities, or in hollow logs. Yellow jackets are also known for their scavenging behavior, frequently found near human food sources like picnics and garbage cans.
Hornets, conversely, are typically larger, ranging from 1 to 1.5 inches long. Some species like the European hornet have reddish-brown bodies with yellow markings. Bald-faced hornets, despite their name, are a type of yellow jacket and are black with white or ivory markings. Hornet nests are often large, paper-like structures that can be spherical or teardrop-shaped. These nests are commonly found hanging from tree branches, under eaves, or within hollow trees and wall voids.
How Stings Cause Pain
When a hornet or yellow jacket stings, it injects venom into the skin. This venom contains various components, including proteins, enzymes, and biogenic amines like histamine and serotonin. These substances interact with nerve endings, triggering pain signals.
Enzymes help the venom spread through tissues. Histamine and serotonin contribute to the inflammatory response, causing localized swelling, redness, and itching at the sting site. This combination results in the sharp, burning sensation after a sting.
Comparing the Pain
Hornet stings are often considered more painful than yellow jacket stings. This difference is attributed to the hornet’s larger size, which allows for a larger stinger and potentially a greater volume of venom injected.
Yellow jackets are frequently described as more aggressive, especially when their nests are disturbed or around food sources. They are also capable of stinging repeatedly, which can lead to multiple stings and a greater overall painful experience, even if individual stings are less intense than a hornet’s.
What to Do After a Sting
Immediate action after a sting can help manage pain and reduce complications. First, calmly move away from the area to prevent additional stings. If a stinger is visible, remove it quickly by scraping it with a fingernail or a credit card, avoiding tweezers which might squeeze more venom into the skin.
Clean the sting site thoroughly with soap and water. Applying a cold pack or ice wrapped in a cloth to the affected area for 10 to 20 minutes can help reduce pain and swelling. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can alleviate discomfort, and antihistamines or hydrocortisone cream may help with itching and swelling. Seek medical attention immediately if signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing, swelling away from the sting site, or widespread hives, occur.