Are The Yellow Jackets In Eugene Dangerous?

How Often Do Yellow Jackets Sting?

It is a person's first instinct when they see a yellow jacket to keep their distance because of how quickly an encounter with these pests can turn sour. What might surprise you is that yellow jackets are no more aggressive than any other stinging insect in our area. The reason people think these pests are more aggressive is because of how they act during the fall when their queens are getting ready for hibernation, which makes colony guards a bit more defensive. Keeping this in mind, if you find a yellow jacket a good distance from its nest, the chance of it stinging you unprovoked is very low.

How Painful & Dangerous Are Yellow Jacket Stings?

A sting from a yellow jacket is painful but mild compared to other stinging insects around the world. On the Shmidt pain index, they are rated a 2.0 out of 4.0. That said, you still do not want to be stung by one of these pests, let alone several at the same time.

One thing you should know about yellow jacket venom is that not everyone reacts the same. Some people have mild pain and slight swelling and itching around the site of the attack. Others have a more severe reaction. If you are allergic to insect venom, a sting from this pest could send you into anaphylactic shock. To understand your risk, consult your local doctor.

What To Do If You Are Stung By A Yellow Jacket

If you are not allergic to insect venom, the best thing to do after being stung by a yellow jacket is to flee the area. After you are in a safe location, wash the sting site with soap and water, dry it off, and apply hydrocortisone cream. It might also help to take some Tylenol or ibuprofen for the pain.

If you are allergic to insect venom and are going into anaphylactic shock or see someone going into anaphylactic shock, take or give epinephrine or use an auto-injector (Epi-Pen). If these things are not available, call 911, keep things calm, lay on your back, raise your feet twelve inches, and monitor things to make sure breathing is as easy as possible.

A Quick Solution To Yellow Jacket Nests

Yellow jacket nests are a literal pain to have on your property. If you suspect these pests are living on your property, do not hesitate to get the experts at Ultimate Pest Control involved. Our Eugene, OR pest control team has the training to identify and eliminate these pests and the safety equipment needed to do it without getting stung. With emergency service visits and a passion for helping members of our community, you can be sure we are your best choice for the job at hand.

Call today for questions you have about wasps and schedule your Eugene property for a service visit. Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control solutions.