Frequently Asked Questions about Wasps

1. What do wasps do? Wasps are extremely helpful to our environment. They are pollinators. This means they move pollen from one flower to another flower, which helps plants reproduce. Wasps also eat other insects, such as crickets and beetles, which keeps those insects off of your garden plants. Because they prey on insects, wasps are responsible for helping to keep insect populations down.
2. Are yellow jackets wasps? Yes, yellow jackets are an aggressive wasp. Sometimes you’ll see yellow jackets swarming around garbage bins or recycling bins where sugary substances are stored. They sometimes nest in tree stumps or logs, but they most often build nests in the ground. These underground nests are often hidden from view and hard to detect. Sometimes people walk past a yellow jackets’ nest without even noticing them. Getting too close to a nest can be dangerous because the yellow jackets might see you as a threat and swarm you.
3. Do wasps sting or bite? Wasps sting. Though most wasp stings aren’t harmful to humans, some people do have allergic reactions to the stings. If you struggle to breathe after being stung by a wasp, seek emergency medical care. You should also seek immediate medical care if your throat feels as if it’s closing up, you feel dizzy or lightheaded or you notice abnormal swelling on your body. However, in most cases, a sting can be treated with basic retail medicines, such as hydrocortisone cream and antihistamine. These medicines reduce the swelling and itching caused by stings.
4. Do Wasps Die After They Sting You? No, wasps don’t die after they sting. They don’t leave their stinger inside of you, so this allows them to sting you multiple times.