Sign-in to Account
Call Us

(855) 948-5816

aptive-registered-logo-white

Find Service Area

What to Do After a Wasp Sting?

Written by Aptive Environmental January 29, 2020

Wasps are a common stinging insect that can be found during warm months. These yellow and black flying, stinging bugs create nests both above the ground as well as on the ground. They often use tree branches, porch ceilings, deck floors, rafters, eaves, and railings to build their nest. Wasps use nectar as a food source as well as other insects such as caterpillars, larvae, and flies.

Their stinger contains venom that paralyzes their prey. Unlike bees, wasps can sting multiple times. They aren’t naturally aggressive toward humans, but will sting if their nest is disturbed or if they are swatted at. Keep reading to learn how to treat a wasp sting, when they can be dangerous, and how to get rid of infestations or nests near the house.

Are Wasp Stings Dangerous?

Although wasp stings are painful, most people recover easily and quickly. They are only dangerous if you’re severely allergic. The most severe wasp sting reaction can result in anaphylaxis, which is when your body goes into shock because of the wasp venom. People with severe reactions may also experience swelling in the face or throat, hives on the body, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and more. These severe reactions are rare. If you have a history of anaphylaxis, make sure to carry an emergency kit in case a sting occurs.

What happens when a wasp stings you if you’re not allergic? You will simply experience a raised welt around the sting area with a white dot in the middle where their stinger came into contact with your skin. The pain and swelling will typically go away within a few hours of the sting.

How to Treat a Wasp Sting

If you’re not allergic and have a normal reaction to the sting, you can easily treat them at home. First wash the area with soap and water to remove venom, then applying a cold pack to the wound to reduce swelling and pain. After this, keep the wound clean and dry to prevent an infection (you can use a bandage if you’d like).

In addition, there are a few home remedies that can help reduce pain and swelling more quickly. Some say crushing a clove of garlic and spreading it on the wound helps reduce pain for both bee and wasp stings.

What Attracts Wasp Infestations?

Wasps are often attracted to areas near the home that they’re able to hang their nest from. These include porch ceilings, eaves, and deck railings. Many wasps use the fiber from wood to build their nests, so this will attract them even further. They will be even more attracted to your home if you have a yard with plenty of insects and nectar to eat (such as fruit trees and plants) as well as indoor shelter for the cold months (barns, sheds, and others).

Nests around your home can be dangerous if located near areas with a lot of human traffic, especially children that may have a wasp sting reaction. They tend to sting when people come too close to their nest. Luckily, there are a few ways to control wasps.

Although it’s more effective to hire professionals when performing stinger and biter extermination, there are general measures you can take to try and eliminate them. First, you should seal any cracks that can provide an entry into your home. Additionally, make sure to clean up any fruit trees or plants around your home because they love to eat fallen fruit. Finally, make sure to keep outside garbage in a tightly sealed garbage can.

If these simple fixes don’t help, professional wasp extermination is the way to go. It can be dangerous to try and eliminate wasps without proper training. Aptive Environmental has offices all over the United States and is dedicated to providing professional, effective pest services. We are so confident in our services, we will come back at no additional cost if the bugs come back!

Curated articles for you, from our pest experts.

A Cozy Living Room Decorated For Christmas, Featuring A Stone Fireplace Adorned With Stockings And A Brightly Lit Christmas Tree Surrounded By Neatly Wrapped Presents.

How to Keep Pests Out of Your Holiday Decorations

The holiday season is a time of joy, warmth, and festive décor. But as you deck the halls, unwelcome pests can find your decorations just as inviting. Whether your ornaments are on display or tucked away in storage, these tips will help you enjoy your holidays...

Nov 25, 2024
A Snow-Covered Suburban Landscape Featuring A Two-Story White House With A Red Front Door And A Wreath. Snow-Laden Evergreen Trees Frame The Scene, Creating A Picturesque Winter Setting.

How to Protect Your Home With These Winter Pest Control Tips

As temperatures drop, your home becomes a prime target for cold-weather pests looking for warmth. Common intruders like rodents, spiders, and cockroaches seek shelter inside houses during winter. Effective winter pest control is essential to keep these pests out...

Nov 22, 2024
Modern Basement Interior With Light Beige Walls, Dark Wood Flooring, And A Cozy Seating Area Featuring A White Armchair And A Patterned Rug Next To A Stylish Staircase With Wooden Railings.

5 Common Insects in the Basement and How to Handle Them

If you feel like your basement is being overrun by bugs or insects, you're not alone. Common insects such as spiders, centipedes, and beetles are frequently found in these spaces. The insects found here are attracted to dark, humid environments and away from the...

Nov 22, 2024
Four Outdoor Garbage Bins In Blue, Brown, Gray, And Green Placed Side By Side, Marked With The Number 23. The Bins Are Against A Red Wooden Fence With Gardening Tools Resting Inside One Of The Bins.

What Attracts Pests to Your Garbage and How to Keep Them Away

If you’ve ever struggled with cockroaches, flies, or rats, you know how frustrating it can feel when they seem to have a secret invitation to your garbage. These pests are often drawn to food residue, moisture, and even strong odors emanating from your trash....

Nov 22, 2024
A Modern, Two-Story House With A Gray And White Exterior, Illuminated By Warm Interior Lights At Dusk, Showcasing A Clean Driveway And A Small Front Yard.

Household Pests That Thrive During Rainy Seasons

When the weather turns wet, it’s not just humans who seek shelter—many pests take advantage of the moisture and humidity. Rainy season pests can cause serious problems for homeowners, from mosquitoes breeding in standing water to ants invading kitchens in search of...

Nov 20, 2024
Brown Rat Perched On A Stone Ledge, Surrounded By Green Foliage, With A Focused Expression And Vibrant Background.

3 Reasons Why it’s Important to Act Fast to Get Rid of Pests

You've spotted pests in your home—maybe a trail of ants, a mouse in the garage, or a few cockroaches in the kitchen. Your first reaction might be to ignore it, hoping the problem will go away on its own. But that's a mistake. In this article, we'll explore three...

Nov 19, 2024
Modern Basement Interior With Light Beige Walls, Dark Wood Flooring, And A Cozy Seating Area Featuring A White Armchair And A Patterned Rug Next To A Stylish Staircase With Wooden Railings.

How to Keep Pests Out of Your Home

There’s nothing quite like the peace of a well-maintained home. But that peace can be disrupted when pests find their way indoors. Whether it’s ants marching through the kitchen, spiders taking up residence in your home, or mice scurrying in the attic, pests are...

Nov 18, 2024
A Warm Evening View Of A Modern Home, Looking Through Large Windows Into A Kitchen Where A Family Of Four Is Gathered Around A Kitchen Island. Outside, The Patio Area Is Surrounded By Lush Greenery And Outdoor Furniture.

Top 10 Move-In Checklist Items for New Homeowners

Moving into a new home is an exciting milestone, marking the start of a fresh chapter in life. However, once the thrill of unpacking subsides, the reality of settling in and organizing your new space kicks in. To ensure a smooth transition and establish a...

Nov 15, 2024

Take back your home with pest control today.