While Ohio has numerous species of stinging insects, some of them are more dangerous than others. Which stinging insects are mostly harmless, and which are the most dangerous stinging insects in Ohio?
Keep reading to find out the answer to this important question!
Dangers of Stinging Insects
Why can stinging insects be dangerous? There are two major reasons: allergic reactions to stings and infection from the wound.
Insect stings can cause a variety of different symptoms, including pain, swelling, redness, itching, warmth, and hives near the wound. These symptoms are annoying but not necessarily dangerous.
However, some people are allergic to the venom from insect stings, and a sting can cause a serious—even life-threatening—reaction. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include the following:
- Sweating
- Hives, itching, or swelling in other areas of the body
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal cramping
- Tightness in the chest, wheezing, or difficulty breathing
- Hoarse voice, swelling of the tongue or throat, or difficulty swallowing
- Dizziness or fainting
A serious allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis, can result in a sharp drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, or even cardiac arrest.
People who have experienced an allergic reaction (even a non-life-threatening one) from an insect sting have a high likelihood of experiencing a similar or worse reaction if stung in the future.
Stinging Insects in Ohio
Ohio’s stinging insects include a variety of bees, wasps, yellowjackets, and hornets. Some of these insects are mostly harmless. While they do have stingers, they are not generally aggressive or can’t sting more than once. With these insects, it’s easier to establish a peaceful coexistence—particularly if you’re not allergic to stings. Simply don’t bother them, and they won’t bother you.
Some of the less dangerous stinging insects in Ohio include the following:
- Carpenter bees: Male carpenter bees do not have stingers and are only aggressive when defending their nests; female bees only sting when handled.
- Cicada killers: Male cicada killers do not have stingers and only get aggressive when defending the burrows; females only sting when handled.
- Honey bees: They are not aggressive unless provoked or defending their nest.
Other stinging insects, however, are more dangerous.
Dangerous Stinging Insects
Certain species of stinging insects are more aggressive and territorial than the others we listed above. These insects are more likely to take the “sting first and ask questions later” approach than other insects.
The most dangerous stinging insects include the following:
- Bald-faced hornets and European hornets: Both of these species of hornets are more aggressive than other stinging insects and can sting multiple times.
- Wasps, especially paper wasps: They can get aggressive to defend their nest or if the availability of food is low.
- Yellowjackets: They can be very aggressive and quick to sting if provoked in any way.
We should point out that, as scary as stinging insects can be, they’re not out to get you. Stinging insects most often attack because they view you as a threat to their nest; essentially, they’re trying to defend their young. If you keep a wide berth, it’s possible to go the whole summer without a single sting.
Of course, that’s cold comfort if you’re allergic to stings or if the insects made a nest smack in the middle of your deck or yard. Sometimes, it’s just not possible to safely leave a stinging insect nest where it is. If that’s the case, be sure to call the professionals! It’s not safe to DIY stinging insect removal.
We’re Here to Help
Contact Scherzinger Pest Control, a trusted pest control company in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas, including Dayton, OH, and now Columbus, OH. We’ve been pioneers, engineering new standards for ways of eliminating and controlling bugs and pests. Contact us by phone at 1-877-748-9888 or through our website, Facebook, or Twitter.
