HOME

PRODUCTS

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

WHO WE ARE

CONTACT US

FLY AND MOSQUITO STINGS. OTHER NUISANCES

Every year, many children and adults are stung by insects like mosquitoes, wasps etc. The majority of those unfortunate enough to be bitten suffer pain and discomfort that generally lasts only a few hours. The symptoms can include redness, swelling and itching where stung.

However, some people are allergic to insect stings. This means that their immune systems overreact to the product injected by an insect. After the first sting, the allergic person's body produces an allergic substance called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody, which reacts with the insect’s toxin. The person does not usually suffer a serious allergic reaction to this first sting but if they are stung again either by the same insect or one of a similar species, the insect’s toxin interacts with the IgE antibody produced in response to the first sting. This results in a release of histamine and other chemical agents that cause allergic symptoms.

Symptoms of severe reactions

For the small number of people with a severe allergic reaction to the venom, being stung can be a matter of life or death. The severe allergic reaction from an insect sting can affect many organs and develop rapidly. This reaction is known as anaphylaxis. The symptoms of anaphylaxis can include hives over large areas of the body, swelling of the throat or tongue, difficulty breathing, dizziness, stomach cramps, nausea or diarrhoea. In extreme cases, a rapid drop in blood pressure can cause shock and loss of consciousness. Anaphylaxis should receive urgent medical attention and can be fatal. If you, or someone else, suffer from any of these symptoms after an insect sting, obtain emergency medical treatment immediately.   

Stinging insect Identification

So as to avoid being stung by an insect, it is important to recognize them and know where they live. The majority of reactions to stings are due to five types of insects: yellow jackets, honeybees, wasps, hornets and red ants.

Yellow jackets have black and yellow markings and are found in various climates. Their nests, which are made of a material similar to papier-mâché, are usually located underground, but can sometimes be found in walls, cracks in buildings or woodpiles.

Honeybees have a rounded furry body with dark brown colouring and yellow markings. On stinging, the honeybee usually leaves its barbed stinger in its victim; therefore, the bee dies. Honeybees are not aggressive and only sting when they are provoked. However, Africanized bees, the so called “killer bees”, which are found in some places in South and Central America are more aggressive and can sting in groups. Domestic honeybees live in artificial hives, while wild honeybees live in hollow trees or building cavities. Africanized bees may make their nests in holes in house structures, between fence posts, in old tyres, holes in the ground or in other partially protected sites.

Wasps have long slender bodies of a black, brown or red colour with yellow markings. Their nests are also made of a material similar to paper forming a circular comb of cells that open downwards. The nests are often located under eaves, behind shutters, among shrubs or woodpiles.

Hornets are black or brown with white, orange or yellow markings and usually are bigger than yellow jackets. Their nests are grey or brown, American football-shaped, hollow and made of paper similar to those of the yellow jacket. Hornets’ nests are usually found up high on tree branches, among shrubs, in gables or in hollow trees.

Red ants are stinging insects of a reddish brown colour related to bees and wasps. Their protuberant mounds, common to warmer climates, can measure up to 90 cm in diameter and 45.7 cm high and can contain up to 250,000 ants. Red ants can attack without warning: after firmly grasping the skin of its victim with its jaws, the red ant arches its back and inserts its rear stinger into the skin. Then it turns and generally stings about eight times in a circular shape, the red ant’s venom has a high concentration of toxins which cause a burning pain.
 

Preventing Stings

Keep away from the stinging insects’ nest’s “territory”. These insects are “social” and sting if they feel their home is threatened so it is important to destroy combs and nests near to your house. Given that this could be a dangerous activity, a qualified exterminator should be employed.
In you encounter flying insects that sting, remain calm and move away slowly in silence. Many stinging insects search for nectar, so one should avoid seeming or smelling like a flower. Avoid bright clothing and perfume when outdoors. Given that the smell of food attracts insects, be careful when cooking, eating or drinking sweet drinks like lemonade or juice outdoors. Keep food covered until it is served. Use closed-toe shoes and avoid walking barefoot. Similarly, avoid loose-fitting clothes that can trap insects between the material and the skin.
 

Treatment of insect stings 

If you are stung by a honeybee that has left its stinger (with the venom sac attached) in the skin, remove the stinger within 30 seconds to avoid receiving more venom. Scraping quickly with a fingernail removes the stinger and the sac. Avoid squeezing the sac as this injects more venom through the stinger into the skin. Hornets, wasp and yellow jackets do not normally leave their stingers.
Try to remain calm. Remove the insects quickly away from the skin to avoid being stung again. Then, immediately leave the area in silence.
If you are stung by red ants, remove them carefully to avoid further stings and leave the area. Red ant stings cause a reaction in almost all their victims. Where the insect was, localized hives are formed with itching that normally passes within 30 to 60 minutes. Within four hours, a small blister will form where there was a sting; in 8 to 24 hours, a wound with pus will form. This wound will burst and heal over within 48 to 72 hours. The wounds should be watched for secondary bacterial infection. Up to 50% of patients develop a strong local reaction at the point where they were stung by the red ants; the swelling can last several days and can be accompanied by itching, redness and pain.
 

If the following measures are taken, they may help to treat the local reactions to insect stings: 

• Raise the affected arm or leg and apply ice or a cold compress to reduce the swelling and pain.

• Gently clean the blisters with soap and water to prevent secondary infections; do not break the blisters.

• Use topical ointments with steroids or oral anti-histamines to alleviate the itching.

Consult your doctor if the swelling increases or if there seems to be any infection. If you have severe allergies to insects and have had prior reactions, try to avoid being outdoors alone if there are insects about in case prompt emergency treatment is required. 

Source:  Publications of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI)  

If you wish to read our other articles about fly, mosquito and wasp exterminators and curiosities about these flying insects,

click below