Are Thread-Waisted Wasps Dangerous: A Guide to Stings and Safety

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Thread-waisted wasps are comically thin! However, like all wasps, these guys can also be venomous. So, do thread waisted wasp sting humans? Let’s find out.

If you live near a garden or a yard, you must have seen insects flying around your house and outdoors with a tiny thread-like abdomens. 

These curious-looking insects are called thread-waisted wasps

Did you know that between the years 2001 and 2017, more than 1,000 people died from insect stings in the United States? 

After reading that, you might be thinking, are the thread-waisted wasps poisonous or venomous too? Do they sting like other aggressive wasps? 

What if we tell you they are not dangerous at all? This article will answer your questions about whether thread-waisted wasps are dangerous to us. 

 

Do Thread Waisted Wasp Sting Humans

 

What Are They?

Thread-waisted wasps belong to the Sphecinae family of solitary wasps and are known for their extended thread-like abdomen area. 

These wasps are found all over the world, and many of their species are present in North America as well.

These species of wasps are known by various names, including sand wasp, digger wasp, mud dauber wasp, hunting wasp, caterpillar-hunter, and cicada killer.  

Thread-waisted wasps are typically more than an inch long in size. They prey on insects like spiders, caterpillars, crickets, and cockroaches

With their venomous sting, they stun the prey, which they later store in a cell of their mud nest where they lay eggs. Upon hatching, their larva consumes the stored prey. 

Since they hunt pests, gardeners like to have them build nests in their gardens and yards. 

These adult wasps nest in the ground or construct free-standing nests from mud on a flat surface or some pre-existing cavity. 

The female wasps are primarily vegetarian and sip nectar from flowers throughout their lives except when they hunt to provide protein for the young ones.

Are Thread Waisted Wasps Aggressive?

Most thread-waisted wasps are not considered social wasps; they are generally solitary nesters. 

Being a solitary species, they are not aggressive towards humans until we try to handle or harm them. 

Ensure you are careful around the nest of a thread-waisted wasp; accidentally stepping or touching them may lead them to sting you as an act of defense. 

 

Do Thread Waisted Wasp Sting Humans

 

Are Digger Wasps Aggressive?

Digger wasps are known for their enormous size and build. Due to this, many people consider them to be highly aggressive, which is entirely incorrect. 

Of the species found in the United States, the Great Golden Digger wasps are non-aggressive to people and pets. 

You will be surprised to know that the males have no stingers; the females, on the other hand, have a stinger, but their venom is limited, and they save it for hunting the prey for laying their eggs.

Are Mud Daubers Aggressive?

Mud daubers are unlikely to sting and attack humans. These insects are also solitary and don’t defend their nests. In fact, they are actually beneficial because they help control spiders. 

However, you should take care when these wasps abandon their nests. There is a possibility that other more aggressive pests may take them over, which is why it is good always to cover up the nests if you don’t see the wasps around for a few days.

 

Do Thread Waisted Wasp Sting Humans

 

Are Sand Wasps Aggressive?

Sand wasps are capable of delivering painful stings. Still, they are docile creatures and are rarely seen attacking humans or pets. 

However, they will attack if you try to manhandle them or their nests. Therefore be careful while approaching their nest. 

Are Thread Waisted Wasps Dangerous?

While insects like paper wasps and yellow jacket wasps are considered aggressive and dangerous, thread-waisted wasps like grass-carrying wasps, digger wasps, and more are not considered harmful. 

On the contrary, these insects are considered beneficial because they prey on many pests insects. Thus, making them excellent sources for pest control. 

Gardeners and plantation owners prefer to have them around their yards to help them get rid of unwanted pests. 

But you must not be careless around them; remember, these wasps are ambush attackers who hunt by paralyzing the insect prey with a fast and dangerous venomous sting. 

The sting can cause severe pain and can induce an allergic reaction in human bodies. 

 

Do Thread Waisted Wasp Sting Humans

 

Thread-Waisted Wasp Sting Pain Index

According to the Schmidt Sting Pain Index, a paper wasp sting has a pain level of 3. The thread-waisted wasp sting is also similar to that of a paper wasp. It will deliver almost the same degree of pain and discomfort to the victim. 

Thread-Waisted Wasp Sting Treatment

If you ever get stung by a thread-waisted wasp, you can get redness and mild swelling in the area. Immediately clean the wounded area with soap and water. 

You can apply a cold compress to the site as well. If you experience a severe urge to itch the injured area, use baking soda mixed with water to calm it.

Symptoms

The thread-waisted wasp venom is mild compared to more aggressive black wasp and blue wasps, so you may not experience extreme pain or severe swelling.

Here are a few symptoms:

  • Redness in the stung area.
  • Mild pain or a tingling sensation near the wound.
  • Sudden swelling.
  • Sudden urge to itch the wounded area.

Treatment

You can use the hacks mentioned above to treat a thread-waisted wasp sting. However, if the symptoms continue to appear for more than a day, consult a doctor immediately. 

Also, these attacks can trigger allergic reactions in your body. 

For example, if you face problems like a suddenly appearing rash, loss of consciousness, trouble swallowing, increase in heart rate, or swollen lips, immediately call an ambulance. 

For those who are severely allergic to insect bites, it is best to keep an insect bite kit with epinephrine around at all times because, in the worst case, the allergy could trigger anaphylactic shock.

 

Do Thread Waisted Wasp Sting Humans

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do thread-waisted wasps sting people?

Thread-waisted wasps are a solitary species with a docile nature and rarely attack humans or pets. Most of these wasps use venom only to hunt their prey. 
Although they don’t aggressively defend their nests, they will attack in defense if you try to handle them. 

Where can you find thread-waisted wasps?

Thread-waisted wasps are found all over the world. In North America, about 125 species of these wasps are found, categorized into 11 genera.
The nesting starts in early July. You can easily spot these wasps near gardens and yards as farmers like to build favorable conditions in their yards for them to nest around them. 
In most cases, mud daubers and digger wasps build their nests on bald patches of ground with no plantation or grass near it.

Are there any wasps that don’t sting?

The Great Golden Digger wasps are one of the least aggressive wasps. The males don’t have a stinger and, therefore, will not sting under any circumstance. 
The females have limited venom, which they prefer to save for hunting. 
The black giant ichneumon wasp is also without a stinger. Its females have a long ovipositor but not stingers, and the males have neither.

Will dirt Dobbers sting you?

A dirt dobber is unlikely to sting humans. Even if it does, the symptoms might resemble a harmless sting. 
Their venom is mild, so the pain and swelling will be less compared to the bites of a paper wasp or yellow jacket wasp. 
Still, it is best to keep a safe distance and not try to mishandle these creatures.

Wrap Up

We hope after reading this article, you will be able to handle a thread-waisted wasp sting carefully.

While most of these bugs are non-aggressive and will not try to sting you unless you mishandle them, it is best to keep a safe distance and maintain your precautions.

Thank you for reading!

 

Thread-Waisted Wasp

 

 

 

Sphecid Wasp

 

Thread-Waisted Wasp

 

 

 

Authors

  • Bugman

    Bugman aka Daniel Marlos has been identifying bugs since 1999. whatsthatbug.com is his passion project and it has helped millions of readers identify the bug that has been bugging them for over two decades. You can reach out to him through our Contact Page.

    View all posts
  • Piyushi is a nature lover, blogger and traveler at heart. She lives in beautiful Canada with her family. Piyushi is an animal lover and loves to write about all creatures.

    View all posts
Tags: Thread Waisted Wasps

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2 Comments. Leave new

  • The caterpillar appears to be in the genus Nadata, either N. gibbosa or N. oregonensis. Ammophila have been recorded using N. gibbosa as a host before.

    Reply
  • Thread-waisted wasps have built a nest on the shelf in my office. How can I remove the nest without killing the wasps?

    Reply

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