North American stinging insects, such as yellow jackets and paper wasps, pose a significant threat when their colonies are disturbed. Unlike honeybees, which sting once and then die, wasps can sting repeatedly because their stingers are not barbed. Yellow jackets are known for their aggressive defense of nests, which can be located underground or in structural voids. Understanding their habits is key to preventing painful encounters and reacting safely.
Strategies for Avoiding Attraction
Wasps are often drawn to outdoor human activities by specific scents and food sources, especially as summer progresses and natural food sources decline. They are dual-diet scavengers, seeking protein for larvae early in the season, then shifting to a high-sugar diet for adults later. Exposed sugary drinks, particularly those in open cans or bottles, are significant attractants that should be covered or consumed using a straw when outdoors. Uncovered food at picnics or barbecues, including grilled meats and sweet desserts, will quickly draw their attention.
The scents worn by people can also inadvertently lure wasps closer. Strong floral or fruity perfumes, colognes, and scented lotions or hairsprays can mimic the nectar and fruit aromas wasps seek out. Wearing bright or floral-patterned clothing may also attract their interest, as these colors resemble the flowers they visit for nectar.
How to Respond During an Encounter
When a wasp is buzzing nearby, the most important reaction is to remain calm and avoid sudden, frantic movements. Swatting or flailing your arms is counterproductive, as the motion can be perceived as an attack, triggering a defensive response.
If a wasp lands on you, do not crush it, as stinging or crushing releases an alarm pheromone. This chemical signal alerts other wasps to an immediate threat, quickly escalating a single encounter into a group attack. Instead, gently blow the wasp off your skin or clothing, as the carbon dioxide in your breath can encourage it to fly away. Slowly and deliberately move away from the area, seeking shelter indoors or in a car, without running.
Essential First Aid for Stings
A wasp sting will cause immediate pain, redness, and localized swelling, which can be treated with prompt first aid. Wasps rarely leave their stinger embedded, but if one is visible, scrape it out sideways with a fingernail or the edge of a credit card rather than squeezing it. The area should then be gently washed with soap and water to clean the wound.
Applying a cold compress or an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the sting site for 15 to 20 minutes will help reduce the pain and swelling. Over-the-counter options, such as an oral antihistamine or a topical hydrocortisone cream, can manage localized itching and swelling. However, a small percentage of people will experience a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis, which requires immediate emergency intervention.
Signs of anaphylaxis include swelling of the face, lips, or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, dizziness, or a rapid drop in blood pressure. If these symptoms appear, an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) must be administered immediately, if available, and emergency medical services should be called.