Paper wasps are a very common sight during the summer. They look very much like yellow jackets. Hence a lot of people want to know if a paper wasp stings humans. Here’s a detailed explanation.
Yes, a paper wasp will most certainly sting you if you provoke it. After all, hell hath no fury as a wasp provoked!
However, it’s not as likely to do it as yellow jackets or honey bees, nor is the sting as painful.
The striking wasp in the spotlight today is known for making nests out of paper-like materials. It lives in small colonies, and the workers will protect the colony and queen at all costs.
Paper wasps love to feed on several insect pests normally found in gardens.
These beneficial garden buddies feed on nectar and encourage pollination, although their bodies are not as fuzzy as the bodies of bees (so they can’t carry as much pollen).
They also love to prey on caterpillars to feed their wasp larvae. They often build nests in urban areas, woodlands, forests, and heaths.
Let’s find out if the wasp giving you tough competition in origami lessons knows how to sting.
What Are Paper Wasps?
Paper wasps belong to the order Hymenoptera, family Vespidae, sub-family Polistinae, and genus Polistes.
These vespid wasps are about 0.5-1.5 inches long with black, brown, and reddish bodies. Some species can be seen sporting vibrant yellow markings or red stripes, while some of them don’t have a band of bright color altogether.
They are smaller than European wasps and have different habits and life cycles. The semi-social paper wasps live in small colonies but lack a worker caste.
Paper wasps get their name because they scrounge wood from households and chew it into a pulp to create paper-like nests sculpted like umbrellas.
Approximately 700 species of paper wasps exist throughout the globe, out of which 22 are found in North America, United States. Most of them can be found in the tropical regions of the western hemisphere.
Sometimes referred to as umbrella wasps (because of the peculiar shape of their nests), paper wasps are larger than the average wasp.
Are Paper Wasps Aggressive?
In contrast to yellow jackets and hornets, which can be downright hostile, Polistine paper wasps will normally only attack if they or their nest are antagonized.
Their territorial nature can lead to dangers for humans, and their stings can be painful.
Their sting, like that of all venomous animals, can cause a potentially lethal anaphylactic reaction in people who are allergic to insects.
Are Paper Wasps Dangerous?
Paper wasp stings are quite dangerous; they can cause localized swelling and pain. For people allergic to wasp stings, the situation can get much worse.
They might experience difficulties while breathing, their lips or throat might swell, their heartbeat might start beating faster than normal, and they might feel very nauseous. In such situations, proper medical treatment should be sought immediately.
Do They Sting?
Yes, most definitely. But like some other wasps, they do not sting unless provoked.
These long-legged vespid insects mind their own business. Avoid stepping on their nests or trapping them for a weekend without intense pain.
Paper Wasp Sting Symptoms
Wasp sting symptoms include pain in the sting area, swelling and inflammation that spreads further than the sting site, itchy skin, heat at the sting site, and possibly hives in case your body reacts negatively to the sting. Other common wasp sting symptoms are:
- Palpitations or elevated heart rate
- Lips, throat, or eyelids swelling
- Feeling dizzy, faint, or confused
- Hives
- Cramps, vomiting, and nausea
If you are having an allergic response or experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, seek help immediately.
Paper Wasp Sting Pain
Dr. Justin O. Schmidt – entomologist and maker of the Schmidt Sting Pain Index describes the pain as “caustic” and scorching.
According to Schmidt, the makers of honeycomb lookalike nests leave a bitter and unforgettable aftertaste that feels as if someone has spilled a beaker of hydrochloric acid on your paper cut. A red paper wasp sting is quite painful and leaves some lingering effects.
Paper Wasp Sting Treatment
To treat a wasp sting at home, you can:
- Clean the area that has been affected with warm soap and water to remove bacteria and venom.
- Wrap some ice in a thin cloth and apply it on the affected area at ten-minute intervals for 30 to 60 minutes to reduce the swelling.
- Take an anti-inflammatory medicine to decrease swelling and pain.
- Apply an antihistamine, corticosteroid, or calamine cream to the sting site to reduce itching.
Are Paper Wasps Beneficial?
Yes, paper wasps are quite beneficial. Although they do have a habit of sucking out the fruits growing in your garden, they also eliminate pests threatening the lushness of your garden.
For instance, paper wasps consider caterpillars an all-time favorite snack. Caterpillars are closely followed by beetle larvae and flies.
By feeding on the nectar of flowers, paper wasps facilitate pollination. If you identify a nest in a remote place where nobody is likely to come across it, you should leave it alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a paper wasp sting you for no reason?
If you don’t give the wasp any reason to sting you, it is unlikely that a paper wasp will go out of his way to sting a human.
However, paper wasps can get defensive and attack you when threatened or provoked. Make sure you avoid paper wasp nests and avoid stepping on them for your safety. If your body experiences intense reactions to wasp stings, seek medical help.
How long does a paper wasp sting last?
A paper wasp sting pain starts fading after fifteen minutes.
By using an ice pack on the area and taking anti-inflammatory medicines and antihistamines, one can reduce the swelling, redness, and pain in the affected area.
If the wasp sting has caused a systemic reaction, you must seek help immediately.
Do paper wasps sting hurt?
Yes. On a scale of 1-4 on the Schmidt Sting Pain Index, the red paper wasp scores a caustic 3.0. On top of the bitter aftertaste left, it can also cause palpitations and a severe reaction in some people.
The slightly less painful Polistes Versicolor also gets a sting score of 1.5 on 4, so its still quite painful.
It is better to avoid these creatures and prevent their nesting in areas you frequent to steer clear of their painful stings.
Are paper wasps friendly?
Unless you’re threatening them, paper wasps are pretty beneficial for your home gardens. Try not to flap at them or brush them off if they land on you, be still, and they’ll fly away.
However, if you approach their colony or nest, these wasps can get aggressive and stingy, so it’s best to maintain a live and let live approach with them.
Wrap Up
Paper wasps, just like some other wasps, do not sting without being provoked or feeling threatened. However, they are semi-social and don’t like people approaching their nests.
These stinging insects love a temperate climate and caterpillars for dinner. Paper wasps are creatures that mind their own business and expect you to do the same.
Thank you for reading!
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