INSECTS
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paralyzes and returns it to the
nest cell, then, when the nest
cell is adequately provisioned,
lays an egg and seals it.
The type of nest depends on
the species. Some hunting
wasps dig into soil, others
create mud nests and many
excavate the pith of hollow
plants.
Then there are the social
wasps, which are the group
that most encounter humans
in unfortunate stinging
incidents. All the social wasps
share some habits: colonies
are established annually,
abandoned completely and
die off in autumn after leaving
a few fertilised queens to
scatter around the vicinity and
attempt a new colony the
next season. Their nests are
made of "paper" produced
from masticated wood pulp.
Often the site of the nest is
concealed in an abandoned
rodent nest below ground,
behind an exterior wall, or in
hollows of children's playground equipment.
Although they feed on some
insects, they readily scavenge
sweets and protein-rich foods.
They can be serous nuisance
A young cockroach wasp emerges from its host
The colourful cuckoo wasp
around uncovered rubbish
and at outdoor dining areas in
late summer.
Wasp stings can be uncomfortable, but most people
recover quickly and without
complications. A wasp's
stinger contains venom that is
transmitted to humans during
a sting. While a bee can only
sting once because its stinger
becomes stuck in the skin of
its victim, a wasp can sting
more than once during an
attack.
The initial sensations can
include sharp pain or burning
at the sting site. Redness,
swelling, and itching can
occur as well. You are likely to
develop a raised bump
around the sting site. A tiny
white mark may be visible in
the middle of the welt where
the stinger punctured your
skin. Usually, the pain and
swelling lessens within several
hours of being stung.
You can treat mild and
moderate reactions to wasp
stings at home. Wash the sting
area with soap and water to
remove as much of the
venom as possible. Apply a
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cold pack to the wound site
to reduce swelling and pain.
Keep the wound clean and
dry to prevent infection.
Cover with a bandage if
desired. Use hydrocortisone
cream or calamine lotion if
itching or skin irritation
becomes bothersome.
About one in ten people
have adverse reactions to
wasp stings. People who have
large local reactions may be
allergic to wasp stings, but a
few experience lifethreatening symptoms, such
as anaphylactic shock.