Pest Control
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Most people are stung by a wasp at some point. It hurts, it swells, and within a day or two it settles down. For a small number of people a sting causes a severe allergic reaction, which is a medical emergency. This is basic guidance on telling the two apart. It is not a substitute for medical advice.
Why wasps sting
Only female wasps sting, and they do it to defend themselves or the nest. Unlike honey bees, wasps do not leave their sting behind and do not die after stinging, so a single wasp can sting more than once. Most stings happen when someone disturbs a nest, swats at a wasp, or traps one against their skin, for example in clothing or a drink can. Late summer, when workers are hungry and irritable, is when stings are most common.
What a normal reaction looks like
A wasp sting causes a sudden, sharp pain. A raised red mark then appears, which may be swollen, itchy or painful for several hours. Sometimes the reaction is larger: a wider area around the sting becomes red, swollen and sore, and stays that way for a few days. That is uncomfortable but is not usually dangerous.
First aid for a sting
- Move away calmly from where you were stung, in case there are more wasps nearby.
- Wash the area with soap and water.
- Hold a cold compress, such as a flannel soaked in cold water or an ice pack wrapped in a cloth, on the area for at least 10 minutes.
- Raise the area if you can, to help reduce swelling.
- Try not to scratch it, which can lead to infection.
A pharmacist can advise on painkillers, antihistamines or creams to ease pain, itching and swelling. Always read the label.
Signs of anaphylaxis: call 999
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction. It usually comes on quickly, within minutes of the sting. Signs include:
- difficulty breathing, fast or shallow breathing, or wheezing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
- a fast heartbeat
- clammy skin
- feeling dizzy, lightheaded or faint
- confusion or anxiety
- collapsing or losing consciousness
If someone shows any of these signs after a sting, call 999 straight away and say you think it is anaphylaxis. If they carry an adrenaline auto-injector, it should be used as they have been shown. Stay with them until help arrives.
When to get medical advice
Contact NHS 111 or your GP if you are worried about a sting, if you have been stung in the mouth or throat, or if the swelling or redness keeps spreading, or there are signs of infection such as pus or increasing pain over the following days. Anyone who has had a severe reaction to a sting before should speak to their GP about it.
Avoiding stings
- Stay calm around wasps and move away slowly rather than swatting.
- Cover food and drinks outdoors, and check cans and bottles before you drink.
- Keep bins closed and away from where people sit.
- Keep well away from any nest, and keep children and pets away too.
Never attempt to deal with a wasp nest yourself if you are, or might be, allergic to stings.
When to call us
If wasps keep turning up in one part of your house or garden, there is likely to be a nest nearby. Call us, especially if anyone in the household is allergic to stings. We find the nest and treat it so that nobody else needs to go near it. Our wasp nest treatment page explains how.