Wasps
Wasps have narrow waist with slender bodies, cylindrical legs, and appear shiny with smooth skin. The most common wasps encountered by people are: Yellowjackets, baldfaced hornets, and paper wasps. Wasps only sting to defend their colony &/ themselves. This involves an injection of protein venom causing pain and sometimes other reactions. Wasps have the ability to sting multiple times because they are able to pull out their stinger with out injury to them self. If stung by a wasp the stinger will not be left behind. Wasp venom differs from bee venom so having a severe reaction to one species does not mean you’ll have a severe reaction to the other. Most individuals will have a mild reaction to wasp stings. Mild reactions symptoms include: itching, burning, redness that may last up to a week. Local mild reactions can be treated with ice or commercial ointments that help relive itching & pain. Allergic reactions include: swelling away from initial site, hives, rash, head-aches, and stomach upset.