What Does A Hornet’s Sting Feel Like?

Hornets have a rap sheet a mile long when it comes to being one of the most feared insects. Rightfully so, because if you have ever been stung by one, it is a feeling etched in your memory forever. If you have never been stung by a hornet, you are probably questioning the intensity of it, wondering, is it really that bad? What does a hornet’s sting feel like? Are they really that dangerous? Yes, and no. There are lots of misguided theories on the nature of hornets, but the truth is hornets aren’t flying around looking to sting people. In fact, they don’t really like us that much either. So for the un-stung people of this world, let’s explore what hornets actually are.

Hornet Background

Did you know that hornets are wasps? Yep, they are in the same family, even though not all wasps are hornets. Hornets are like gladiator wasps, pumped up, big, and territorial. They are hunters of both day and night with main cravings for other insects. Hornets are not helpful in pollination like bees and wasps, but their hunting other insects can make up for that. Since hornets are much bigger than wasps, it is only natural that their nests are bigger too. Hornet nests can be up to the size of a soccer ball, and they will build these in trees, on the eaves of houses, in attic spaces, and in sheds. Hornets are very territorial of their nests and will protect it at all costs. If you accidentally run into one on a trail or attempt to rid its nests on your own without necessary protection, you are in for a war because this is when they will attack. Finding a hornet in your home or one coming across your path outside is nothing because they are not looking to sting you, but if you disturb their nests or are disturbing them, they will unleash the beast within and you will learn the answer to “what does a hornet’s sting feel like?”. This is when you need to act fast and remove yourself from their presence because hornets don’t sting one time; they will sting over and over again until they no longer feel threatened.

Eastern Yellowjackets

Eastern yellowjackets are seen the most in New Jersey. They will build nests just about anywhere and more than likely in the ground in your backyard. In the hot summer months, they become extremely aggressive, so you are in for a bad day if you accidentally step on a nest or run over it with the lawn mower. Eastern yellowjackets are black with yellow markings and will fly around in packs. It’s common to notice several flying around together or swarming over food sources. They also pack a powerful sting and sting in packs as well. If you are being stung by a yellowjacket, you’ll learn what does a hornet’s sting feel like in droves. Most likely, you are being stung by several yellowjackets at one time.

European Hornet

The original hornet for New Jersey is the European hornet. These guys are big, growing over an inch long, and are brown in color with yellow bands towards the abdomen. European hornets hunt solely on other wasps, yellowjackets, bees, and even butterflies. European hornets may seem big and bad, but they are actually just out minding their own business and have no desire to attack you. They build really big nests that they like to be in concealed areas and not out in the open. They have been known to build between walls, attics, barns, or old hollowed-out trees. Come close to their nest or try to knock it down, and they quickly go into defense mode and will attack and sting you over and over again.

A Stinger with a Zinger

Hornets come backed with a potent stinger at the end of their abdomen. Inside the abdomen, a venom sack surrounds the stinger, and its purpose is to kill its prey. Hornets have a much larger stinger than bees and wasps combined. Hornet stingers are smooth but curved so that they are sure to pack a punch when in use. The venom the stinger unleashes is deadly for insects and, in some cases, humans. Hornet venom has very high amounts of histamine in it so if a person is highly allergic to things, there is a good chance they could have a severe allergic reaction to a hornet sting. So not only does a hornets sting hurt, it can be dangerous to the wrong person.

So Does a Hornet’s Sting Hurt?

What does a hornet’s sting feel like? An intense pain is unleashed as soon as a hornet goes in for the sting. The large stinger breaks the skin and starts pumping out venom, which intensifies the pain. Hornets will sting over and over so this pain only grows with every sting. What a hornet’s sting feel like? Utter pain followed by reactions that will be different for everyone.

Reactions following a hornet’s sting vary from person to person, but typically you are left with a whelp-like bump that will continue to be painful and itchy. This is because of the histamine found in the hornet venom. Its highly potent histamine can signal a chain of allergic reactions from mild to severe in a matter of minutes after being stung. It is important to get medical attention if you are experiencing an allergic reaction. If you are not experiencing an allergic reaction, simple first aid can be applied to calm the sting site and start the healing process.

Prep and pest control

You do not want to be staring up at a hornet nest unprepared. Hornet stings are not something you want the pleasure of feeling. A hornet sting feels excruciatingly painful, making it important to understand what you’re dealing with. Hornet-prone properties need special attention and monitoring to make sure nests are not being built. Kapture Pest Control takes all the precautions needed when dealing with hornet nests. We want to keep you and your family safe by removing the nest carefully and applying any treatments needed to avoid future issues. Kapture Pest Control cares about our customers, and we do not want to see our customers learn the hard way on what does a hornet’s sting feel like. Make the safe choice by calling Kapture for your hornet nest removal.

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