A wasp (Vespula germanica) is an insect that resembles a bee and an ant but actually is not one of either. These pests can be predatory or parasitic, and are mostly used to get rid of smaller insects in various agricultural practices. However, these tiny, seemingly helpful insects can cause a huge nuisance if they form a nest in your homes. They have tiny stings at the end of their body which served as a ovipositor. The wasp stores its venom in a venom gland which is injected into the host’s body after it stings the host. Only female wasps have venom in their stings, however, the male wasps do have venom less stings.
A wasp nest, resembles that of the honey bee because of its paper pulp nature but is mostly dependent on the type of wasp forming the nest. Wasps, you see, are actually of two types- solitary and social. Solitary wasp nests are the ones that we usually see in our homes – small, attached to a dark corner like the side of walls or the small branches of trees. Social wasp nests are the ones that we really need to look out for; they can house up to hundred of wasps – all of which can attack you if you mess with their nest.
A wasp nest greatly resembles that of the honey bee because of its paper pulp nature but is mostly dependent on the type of wasp forming the nest. Wasps, you see, are actually of two types- solitary and social. Solitary wasp nests are the ones that we usually see in our homes – small, attached to a dark corner like the side of walls or the small branches of trees. Social wasp nests are the ones that we really need to look out for; they can house up to hundred of wasps – all of which can attack you if you mess with their nest. In order to remove a wasp nest, you need to first make sure that the nest in your home is actually of a wasp. Bee nests are more gooey and brownish in colour because of the honey while wasp nests are whitish in colour with a paper-like appearance. After making sure that it is a wasp nest, you will have to formulate a pest removal plan depending on the size of the nest. Solitary wasp nests are easy to remove because obviously, the house just one wasp. Social wasp nests have a larger number and variety of wasps- queen, drones and female workers aside from the larvae, just like a honey bee nest.
Once you know whether you are dealing with one wasp or multiple wasps, you have to now decide what kind of species the wasp belongs to as there as several wasps whose sting can be fatal. After making sure that you have done the proper research work (it helps in preventing allergic outbreaks in case you get stung and also in treatment), buy a suitable wasp removal spray. Then, cover yourself in thick old clothes to protect yourself from bites before approaching the nest. Also protect your eyes, ears, nose and mouth. Spray the wasp nest while making sure not to inhale any of the toxic fumes. It is recommended that you wait for at least 8 -12 hours to make sure that all the wasps inside it are dead, before discarding the nest.
In case you get stung, get away from the nest as wasps release a substance called pheromone which acts as a signal for other wasps to bite the pray, in this case, YOU. Wash the area with water and remove the sting if it still embedded in the skin. Apply ice packs to the affected area every 10-15 minutes and apply a pain
medication. In case, the burning sensation still persists, immediately go see a doctor.