Yesterday evening my hubby got stung by this red wasp. The pictures were taken this morning after we sprayed the nest. It's not very good pix I'll try the photographs again after we wait awhile, making sure the wasps are no longer active. Can you help I.D. the type of wasp by looking at the nest?
The nest was under the saw-horse on the deck. DH moved the saw-horse and didn't see the aggressors until he was stung. A pretty bad reaction took place, he broke out in hives which required some antihistamine to ease the reaction. Topical ointment was also needed for the puritis was pretty moderate as well.
Red paper wasp I think...here is a link
http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg348.html
Many thanks, that's it. It's the Polistes sps. The reaction is pretty bad, my hubby is still feeling the effect of the sting. Behind the bend of his knee. The whole leg still pretty swollen, warm and tender. The rash that occurred subsided, however. No more itching. Just pain from the effected site.
If he had a really adverse reaction. he should continue the benedryl for a couple days. A warm compress will help soothe the sting area and an analgesic cream will aide in pain relief. Sorry that happened.
Your husband may be hypersensitive - has he ever consulted an allergist? I've been stung by Polistes sp. wasps on several occasions, and although the initial pain was quite sharp, the effects wore off very quickly.
The good news; the swelling is markably improved this morning. Yes, apparently he's hypersensitive - and no, he hasn't consulted with an allergist. I'd encourage him discuss this issue with our General Practitioner first for possible referral for a specialist. Thank you both for your responses.
suunto, my husband stated that he had similiar experience with yellow jackets when he was young (many years ago), this time the initial pain was similiar to that of yellow jacket's sting. The initial reaction started within 30 mins. after the wasp's sting. I was fearful for a possible anaphalactic reaction, and was prepared to get him to the nearest E.R. then.
This pix may/may not show the wasps very clear. These are the remains of the nest and its inhabitants. I can see larvae within the 'honeycomb' structure.
We have these here in Oklahoma. They are Paper Wasps and they are extremely cranky little buggers. Since I am allergic to them I stay away from them. If I see a nest being built I destroy the nest so that they'll go elsewhere to make another one. The nest you have is pretty big. How long had it been since your husband worked with the saw?
It has been a while, one of those projects that we've to put it back to the back-burner. lol. So happened; he was out there inspecting the roof where roofers were repairing a leak above the saw-horse. It was the roofer that told us it was a 'red wasp'. There we looked the following morning to find them.
