There are several types of stinging insects and it can be difficult to keep them all straight. You may be wondering how to tell a difference between wasps and hornets. They both have different characteristics as well as behaviors. When you run into a stinging insect next, A Five Star Termite & Pest Control is here to help you know if it is a wasp or a hornet. We are here to talk about the difference between these two stinging insects.

Physical Characteristics & Behavior of a Wasp

Both wasps and hornets belong to the same Vespidae insect family. They do have several differences that can distinguish one from another. There are over 100,000 wasp species out there, but most of them have bright colors with long slender legs. Many wasps have two pairs of wings, but there are some species that are wingless and look a lot like ants. With so many wasp species out there, we can’t narrow down every characteristic they have. However, here are a few that you will typically find when you have a run in with a wasp.
– They are at most 1 inch long.
– Social insects that live in large groups
– More aggressive than bees
– They usually lay eggs in the body of other organisms
– Found in a variety of colors depending on what species you are dealing with
– Build both aerial nests and ground nests

Identification & Behavior of Hornets

While wasps come in a large variety of colors, hornets are not as colorful. They are very similar to wasps and are considered a subspecies to wasps, but have several differences as well. For instance, they are larger all around than wasp species. They don’t have a long slender body and have larger heads as well. Here are some of their characteristics.
– Come in red, brown, white or black colors
– Far more aggressive than wasps
– Their stings can be fatal to humans at times
– Social insects that live in groups
– Their diet usually consists of other insects
– Build large aerial nests

How Do You Take Care of a Wasp or Hornet Sting?

Hopefully, you never find yourself stung by a wasp or hornet, but in the case that you do, here are some tips to care for the sting.
-Remove the stinger by scraping and not pinching the stinger. This releases more venom into the skin.
-Ice the area to relieve pain and swelling.
-Take over the counter painkillers to help with the aching pain caused by the sting.
-Keep the area clean to avoid any chance of infection.
Many people have severe allergies to stinging insects. If you have any difficulty breathing, dizziness, or tightness in your chest, you need to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Hornet stings can be especially lethal to humans and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Stinging Insect Inspections, Exclusion, Control, Removal, Management & More in Canyon Lake, Spring Branch, Bulverde, Timberwood Park, Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, New Braunfels, Selma, Live Oak, Converse, Universal City, Cibolo, Seguin, New Berlin, St Hedwig, Adkins, La Vernia, Elmendorf, Losoya, Von Ormy, Macdona & San Antonio, Texas

If you find wasps or hornets near your home or on your property, you should never try to remove the nest on your own. The trained technicians at A Five Star Termite & Pest Control have the experience needed to safely inspect and remove any wasp or hornet nest you find. Call us today!