Red Wasp

Wasps belong to the genus Polistes. The most common type of wasps are the paper wasp. The wasp build their nests around human habitation. Although normally non aggressive, they may become aggressive to defend their nets. In this article, we will concentrate on red wasps. They get their name from their appearance. They are rusty-red color in color. The size of these wasps is around one inch in length.

Red Wasp Facts

There are two different species of these wasps. The species Polistes Carolina and Polistes perplexus are identical to one another. They can be distinguished by the black markings on their thorax. Red wasps are like hornets and yellow jacket wasps. They are known to build the largest nests among the wasp family. It is the queen who starts making the nests using woods and live plant fibers. These nests resemble an inverted umbrella and have exposed octagonal cells. The nest-building activity often takes place in the spring. The Polistes Carolina wasps prefer open areas for building their nests such as under the roof, whereas the Polistes perplexus wasps like nestled and sheltered areas with natural settings like the hollow of trees or wooden structures.

Red wasps are known to live on sweet and sugary nectar. Therefore, they can also be seen around the kitchen and different food joints, especially the ones which sell sweetmeats. They may also sting people who are enjoying their pastry or some other sweets. They also collect live prey like caterpillars to feed the larvae in the nests. Like the larvae, adult wasps also like to feed on cicadas.

Red Wasp Sting Symptoms

These wasps prefer moving around human beings. However, they may cause harm when they feel threatened. The wasp stings when they see a threat either to themselves or to their colony. Loud noises, dark and bright colors and particular kind of smells, especially perfumes, etc. attract these wasps. Wasps have the ability to sting multiple times. However, removing the stinger from the victim's skin is easily possible. Pain and swelling are the prominent symptoms. The swelling can also be accompanied by itching for about half an inch around the sting site. Sometimes the swelling can increase in size and spread over to about 2 inches around the sting site. In certain rare conditions, people can also experience rash, itching all over the body, trouble in breathing, wheezing, etc. Children, in rare cases, can also suffer shock because of the sting.

Red Wasp Sting Treatment

The first step in the treating a wasp sting is to remove the stinger. Sometimes, removing the stinger is easy but in some cases a blunt knife or tweezers may have to be used. While removing the stinger from the skin, make it a point to scrap in the direction opposite to the stinger entry. One has to take care when using this first aid for wasp sting. If proper care is not taken, it can cause more venom to be injected into the skin while one is trying to pry and prod the stinger out of the skin.

Once the stinger has been removed, an ice-pack should be applied around the sting. Do not place the ice directly onto the skin as it can burn the skin. Either make use of a washcloth or put the ice in a plastic bag and then apply it on the sting. Continue to apply the cold compress for about 10 to 15 minutes after which the skin should be allowed to dry out completely.

After the skin has dried up completely, you can use any topical over-the-counter anti-histamine on the sting site. However, if you also experience pain, then a topical anesthetic cream can be applied on the affected area. If you have baking soda at home, then you may want to make use of it as a home remedy. Moisten the baking soda and apply it on the affected area. If you have fuller's earth, you can also make it into a mud pack and apply it similarly on the site of the sting. You can also combine vinegar with baking soda and apply on the sting site. There is no scientific evidence which proves that these methods are beneficial but people do swear by these home remedies.

If you notice wasp nests around your home, you will have to take measures for insect control. There are a number of wasp control products available in the market. You can make use of them to get rid of the wasps around your homes. However, make sure you do not crush the wasp as the chemicals released in the process can attract other wasps.

If a person experiences shortness of breath, has a throbbing headache, becomes wheezy, etc. after a red wasp sting, then the person needs to be taken to a physician immediately. In case of hives, redness or widespread itching, do not neglect the condition and have it looked at by a physician.