Wasps are stinging insects that are often in our yards and around our homes. These insects can build nests near your loved ones and cause problems. They can play important roles in the ecosystem, including pollination and predation, but they can also sting and cause life-threatening situations for people with severe allergies. If you’re having problems with wasps, you should probably call a good Tulsa Exterminator.
In this article, let’s take a good look at wasps and how they work. Wasps use complete metamorphosis to develop, passing through egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages. Adult wasps commonly obtain carbohydrates from nectar and other sugary sources. Nesting behavior varies by species. Solitary wasps generally provision individual nest cells for their young, while social wasps live in colonies with multiple brood cells and adults. Oklahoma State University Extension provides information about common wasps and bees, their nesting behavior, and management around homes.
Many solitary hunting wasps capture spiders, grubs, or other arthropods and use their sting to paralyze the prey. The female places the prey inside a nest cell, lays an egg, and seals the cell. The egg hatches and a larva emerges. The larva consumes the provisioned prey and later pupates, developing the structures it needs as an adult. When development is complete, the adult emerges from the cell.
If you find yourself in a situation where you’ve been stung by a wasp or bee, it’s important to take appropriate action. If you know you have a serious sting allergy, follow your emergency treatment plan and seek emergency medical care for signs of a severe allergic reaction. If you’re not sure whether a reaction is serious, symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness, or fainting require immediate emergency care. MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, provides first-aid guidance for bee, wasp, hornet, and yellow-jacket stings.
For a mild local reaction, basic first aid can include washing the area with soap and water and applying a cold pack to help reduce pain and swelling. Over-the-counter medications may also be used as directed when appropriate.
If you’re having a problem with wasps, giving a Tulsa Exterminator a call can help you determine the appropriate approach. TermMax Pest Control handles wasps, bees, and other pests. We can help if you’ve got a problem. Call us today.
