Wasps belong to the order Hymenoptera. Equipped with stings, they also belong to the suborder Apocritus. Among wasps, it is the females that can sting; the workers and queens. Species that compete with humans for food also sometimes sting. In fact, these insects sting mainly to protect themselves from other hymenoptera, such as when they raid their nests or want to capture adult animals. Common wasps, Saxon wasps and German wasps are the most common wasps living in colonies and the ones we encounter most often.
They often nest in dry, warm places, such as attics or shutter boxes. They feed mainly on sugar and fruit juices (sugar water, honey, very ripe fruit). If the weather is good in summer, wasp nests can contain 400 to 500 individuals; in some nests, up to 10,000 can be found.
A colony of wasps captures several kilograms of other insects, mainly flies, in a single summer to feed its larvae. Wasps are therefore very useful to humans as well as to insectivorous songbirds (tits, flycatchers). As long as it is not a nuisance, a wasp nest should not be removed or its occupants poisoned!
Introduction to wasps
There are two main wasp genera → Vespinae and Polistinae :
The common wasp(Vespula germanica and Vespula vulgaris):
This is the most important species in Europe and North America. Wasps are slender and their bodies are made up of alternating black and yellow rings. When stung, the stinger rarely remains in the skin and wasps are known to sting several times. Stings occur more frequently in late summer and autumn.
Polistes wasps:
These are found in the temperate regions of southern Europe and the Mediterranean basin. Hornets(Vespa crabro) belong to the same family as wasps. They are similar in appearance but can measure up to 34 cm in length. The sting is more painful and the quantity of venom injected is greater. The composition of the venom is similar to that of wasp venom, and allergic reactions are the same.
What does wasp venom contain?
Venom is generally made up of high molecular weight glycoproteins that exert enzymatic activity. Venom also containshistamine, dopamine,acetylcholine and kinins, which provoke localised reactions of pain, burning and itching. The amount of venom released during a sting varies from one insect to another. A wasp sting releases an average of 2 to 3 mg of venom.
The main allergens in wasp venom areantigen 5,hyaluronidase and phospholipase A1. Cross-reactivity between different members of the wasp family, such as between common wasps and bumblebees, is important. On the other hand, there appears to be less cross-reactivity between the Vespinae and Polistinae families.
The different types of reaction that can be caused by wasp stings
Wasp stings can cause a variety of reactions depending on the individual, ranging from mild symptoms to more serious and potentially dangerous reactions, which means that a thorough understanding of these reactions is essential if they are to be properly managed.
Local reactions:
In most stung individuals, a local reaction develops in the form of a small papule accompanied by pruritus and pain, which disappears within a few hours. A severe local reaction may occur in around 20-25% of people stung. This manifests itself as a papule measuring more than 10 mm, which usually persists for 24 to 48 hours, but can last up to ten days. It can be extensive, affecting an entire limb. It may be accompanied by local lymphadenitis and systemic manifestations in the form ofgeneralised malaise and fever.
Systemic reactions :
These range from a purely cutaneous reaction to anaphylactic shock. In the vast majority of cases, these reactions are mediated by IgE antibodies. They usually occur within an hour of the sting, but can appear up to 24 hours later. Anaphylactoid reactions (not mediated by IgE) are rare; they appear after multiple stings (generally 100 stings in adults) and are linked to a toxic effect of the venom.
Ecological ethics advice on wasps
- Do not smoke or remove bee, wasp or hornet nests, or poison animals with them
- Leave nests in place as long as possible. And don’t forget this: animals only stay in one place for one summer – in autumn the colony is dissolved (exception: honey bees).
- If necessary, during the winter, you can take the following steps to prevent a new colony of wasps or hornets setting up shop the following spring: carefully plug up the holes in old nests, without destroying the nests! If you remove a nest without plugging the access holes, there’s a very good chance that the following spring a new queen will choose the same obviously favourable spot to build her nest.
- Don’t forget that these animals are extraordinarily useful from an ecological point of view, as well as for humans (pollinators, biological pest control aids)
How can you avoid being stung by wasps?
- Hymenoptera only sting if they feel threatened. In their presence, it’s best to remain calm and not flap about! To prevent the intrusion of insects (including mosquitoes) into the home, you can install a mosquito net or a special curtain in the window frame. A mosquito net installed over the bed prevents unintentional bites at night (of course, mosquitoes bite intentionally!)
- Wasps are often unwelcome guests at outdoor meals. They nibble sweet foods such as fruit or jam, as well as leftover meat, which they take back to their brood. So be careful not to swallow a wasp by accident – a quick glance before biting into a morsel is recommended.
- Don’t forget to use straws if you give sugary drinks (syrup, fruit juice) to children! This considerably reduces the risk of swallowing a wasp while drinking.
What should you do if you are stung by a wasp?
If, despite all the preventive measures, a wasp stings, an appropriate reaction can reduce the effects. In principle, a sting is painful, but not dangerous; a hornet’s sting is no more dangerous than that of a wasp or bee. Only allergic people who do not take the countermeasures prescribed by their doctor should expect complications.
A sting in the tongue or throat area can be dangerous, as it can swell up and prevent breathing. In this case, it is essential to consult a doctor.
In the event of a wasp, hornet, bumblebee or bee sting in another area of the body (stings are often found on the soles of the feet), there are a few “tricks”:
- Pump out the venom immediately with a special “Aspivenin” device, similar to a medical syringe; minimises the consequences (pain, swelling) This is an essential item to have in your travel first-aid kit!
- Squeeze a freshly chopped onion over the bite (min. 15 minutes)
- Apply moistened honey or sugar to the sting
- Chew a leaf of lanceol plantain(Plantago lanceolata) and apply it to the bite
- Cool the swollen area (apply ice)
In general, the swelling disappears completely after 2 to 3 days at the latest.
Medicinal plants:
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Essential oil of lavender aspic flowering tops:
Healing, vulnerary, analgesic and antitoxic, this emergency essential oil is a must for quickly relieving and healing wasp stings.
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Patchouli leaf essential oil:
This essential oil is renowned for its skin-soothing properties on insect bites.
Patchouli leaf essential oil, extracted from Pogostemon cablin, a tropical plant native to Asia, is widely recognised for its many benefits, particularly its soothing properties on the skin. This essential oil is particularly appreciated for its effectiveness in treating insect bites.
Thanks to its active ingredients, such as patchoulol, patchouli oil has a calming and soothing effect on itching and skin irritations. It is frequently used to relieve the redness and swelling caused by insect bites, offering immediate comfort.
Patchouli essential oil is also renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce inflammation of the skin following a sting. It also helps to regenerate skin tissue, promoting faster healing of affected areas.
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Blackcurrant bud:
Blackcurrantbud acts on anaphylactic accidents that can follow insect bites.
Blackcurrant bud, scientifically known as Ribes nigrum, is widely used in gemmotherapy for its many therapeutic benefits, particularly its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. These characteristics make it particularly effective in the treatment of acute inflammatory reactions such as anaphylactic accidents that can occur following insect bites.
Thanks to its active compounds, Blackcurrant bud acts as a powerful natural anti-inflammatory. It is renowned for its ability to reduce inflammation, not only in cases of allergies and skin reactions, but also in various inflammatory disorders of the joint, respiratory and digestive systems. Its action is often compared to that of cortisone, but without the side effects associated with synthetic corticoids.
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Ceylon citronella essential oil:
This highly fragrantflowering herb repels wasps.
Ceylon citronella essential oil is renowned for its repellent properties, particularly effective against mosquitoes and other insects. This oil, extracted from Cymbopogon nardus, a plant native to Sri Lanka, is rich in compounds such as citronellal, geraniol and citronellol, known for their ability to repel insects.
Studies have shown that Ceylon citronella oil is particularly effective when applied to the skin or used in aroma diffusers. It works by masking the odours that attract insects, making people less likely to be bitten. What’s more, unlike other chemical repellents, citronella oil is often appreciated for its pleasant fragrance and is considered a more natural and gentle alternative.
It is important to note that, although Ceylon citronella oil is generally considered safe, it must be properly diluted before application to the skin to avoid irritation. In addition, its effectiveness can vary depending on environmental conditions and the type of insect.
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Clove bud essential oil:
Theeugenol contained in clove reduces the inflammatory reactions caused by insect bites by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins and reducing the chemotaxis of white blood cells.
Homeopathy:
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Dapis gel:
Laboratoires BOIRON’s soothing Dapis gel is designed as a fast-acting solution to relieve itching and pain caused by insect bites, including mosquito, bee and wasp bites. This treatment is designed to reduce inflammation and provide immediate relief. What’s more, the formula is paraben-free, making it safer to use and gentle on the skin.
Dosage: 1 application several times a day
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Apis mellifica :
In cases of pink, prickly, burning oedema, improved by cold applications.
Dosage: (30 CH: 1 dose immediately) (15 CH: 5 granules every 1/2 hour).
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Ledum palustre 9 CH :
Preventive, to limit reactions to insect bites in reactive people.
Recommended dosage: 5 granules per day during the period of exposure.
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Urtica urens 5 CH :
Forpruritus not improved by cold.
Recommended dosage: 5 granules every hour until improvement.
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Belladonna 9 CH :
In case of inflammation: redness, heat, throbbing pain, aggravated by touch.
Dosage: 5 granules every hour until improvement.
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Lung histamine 15 CH :
If allergic reaction, to modulate the mechanism of the allergic reaction.
Dosage: 5 granules every hour until improvement.
Medical literature and clinical trials:
- Golden DBK. Insect allergy. In: Adkinson NF, et al. Middleton’s allergy principles and practice, 6th edition. Saint-Louis: Mosby, 2003
- Demain JG, Minaei AA, Tracy JM. Anaphylaxis and insect allergy. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2010
- Hofmann SC, Pfender N, Weckesser S, et al. Added value of IgE detection to rApi m1 and rVes v5 in patients with hymenoptera venom allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2011
- Mit Hornissen leben? Fact sheet from the Office for the Protection of the Environment and Nature, Germany
