Are Paper Wasps Aggressive?
Different varieties of the paper wasp are known for being quite aggressive. If they feel threatened when they are nearby their nest or you are in their vicinity, you should be prepared to have them attempt to sting you. Have you ever been stung by a paper wasp? You could be prone to an allergic reaction to their sting, which could put you in a dangerous situation if you’re not careful.
How Bad is a Paper Wasp Sting?
The sting of a paper wasp can be quite painful if they have enough time to really sting you. A paper wasp sting can result in swelling, redness, and pain at the site of the sting.
Their stinger contains venom, and there are people who are allergic to this venom. An allergic reaction could result in more severe swelling at the site of the sting, itchy skin, swelling in the throat or mouth, trouble breathing, or nausea. A reaction can occur right away, but it can take an hour or two to have a delayed reaction.
If you are stung by a paper wasp (or any other wasp) it is recommended to wash the sting area with soap and water, to remove as much venom as possible. You can also apply a cold pack to the wound site to reduce swelling and pain.
Do Paper Wasps Sting for No Reason?
The paper wasp can be very aggressive, but they tend to only show this aggression in the form of stinging if they feel that their nest or colony is being threatened, or you are threatening their lives directly.
If you are trying to get rid of their nest that you’ve just discovered on your property, you should be prepared for their aggressive nature to come out. It’s merely their form of survival. If you leave them alone, the paper wasps aggressive nature will likely stay at bay.
How to Get Rid of Aggressive Paper Wasps
Once you have identified a paper wasp problem around your house or property, you can come up with a plan to get rid of them. There are commercial products available that will spray an insecticide from many feet away. You’ll want to wait until the sun starts to go down. This is when the most wasps will be in the nest, but they’ll mostly be inside. This will give you a few seconds to spray the product and retreat.
There are natural methods that you can use to repel paper wasps if you notice that they’re trying to build a nest on your property somewhere. They aren’t happy when they smell the natural scent of peppermint.
This is an essential oil that is safe around children and pets. Make a diluted spray of it, and spray your peppermint repellent around the exterior of your home.
An established paper wasp nest can get as big as eight inches in width. If you find a nest this size in or near your home, you may want to contact a professional to remove it for you. This is the safest method to prevent you or someone else from getting stung.
It’s best to keep an eye on your property to spot a nest being built. Removing it in its earliest stages is the best option to prevent stings while keeping the paper wasps at bay. While they can be beneficial for your garden or landscaping, their aggressive nature is usually what causes people to have them removed.
