Hornets have a certain monster image due to their imposing size and deep growl. But are the largest of all wasps really as dangerous as the saying goes? Let's take a close look at the animals and their stings.

Hornet stings are extremely painful and potentially dangerous

Table of Contents

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  1. the essentials in brief
  2. Behavior at the hornet bite
  3. Toxicity of a hornet sting
  4. Hornet sting symptoms
  5. Portrait hornets
  6. Danger of hornets
  7. Situational Danger
  8. frequently asked Questions

    9. the essentials in brief

    • Those who are not allergic to insect bites will experience severe pain, but a visit to the doctor is unnecessary
    • The sting should first be treated with heat and only then with cold
    • Sucking out the sting makes sense right after the attack to remove the poison
    • In the case of stings in the eye or throat area of humans, babies and pets, a doctor must be consulted

    What to do with a hornet bite

    Depending on the type of sting and the constitution of the person who has been stung, more or less treatment is required after a hornet sting. A healthy person who is not affected by an insect venom allergy and who is bitten in an uncritical area does not actually have to take any special measures. Here it is sufficient to consult aids against the pain, the swelling and the itching. The following is suitable as first aid:

    • Treat with heat first
    • alumina or suction
    • Then cool
    • onion or vinegar
    • possibly painkillers

    heat

    Heat can slow down the release of histamine, which is a reaction to the insect venom, and thus redness, swelling and itching. You can use a battery-operated heat stick from the pharmacy or alternatively use the flame-heated metal head of a lighter or a washcloth soaked in hot water.

    alumina or suction

    An application of astringent clay or suction must be done just as acutely. The puncture channel in the skin closes very quickly and makes the injected poison inaccessible from the outside. But if you act immediately after the hornet attack, you can get rid of at least part of the poison and significantly reduce the symptoms that follow. When sucking it out with the mouth, however, the poison has to be spat out again quickly because it can attack the mucous membranes and be absorbed through them.

    Cool

    Subsequently, cooling gives the most pain relief. Wrap a cold pack or ice cubes in a tea towel and use them to cool the bite at intervals.

    Cooling is good and relieves the swelling

    onion or vinegar

    The old home remedy of pressing a sliced onion over the bite site can also help. The acid has a disinfecting and thus anti-itching effect. Vinegar can also slow down the inflammatory reaction.

    Painkiller

    You can also use painkillers to relieve the pain. Easily administered Ibu drops for the night can help, especially for children.

    Hornet sting in children/babies

    Children and babies may be more challenged than an adult by the (perhaps new) experience of a hornet sting, but they are not significantly more dangerous. As explained in the section on the toxicity of a hornet sting, only in the very rarest of cases, namely when an insect venom allergy is at its most severe, is there a risk of death. So treat a hornet sting in children the same way you treat an adult. Of course, the following also applies to the little ones: As soon as the bite is in the eye or throat area, an emergency doctor must be consulted.

    tips

    In the case of a hornet sting, it is worth a lot if you give your child a lot of attention - this makes the pain much more bearable. Distracted reading or TV shows can also be helpful. For comfort, you can also wrap cool packs in a beloved cuddly towel or a favorite washcloth. To relieve the pain at night, you can also administer painkillers in child-appropriate doses.

    Hornet bite in animals

    The paw of the dog or cat is best treated with a cooling bandage as well. If your four-legged friend is bitten in the eye or throat area, you should consult a veterinarian immediately.

    How dangerous is a hornet bite?

    Everyone reacts differently to a hornet sting

    Because many consider the hornet to be more dangerous than it is, a sting can sometimes cause a certain amount of panic. If you look at the facts, however, you will see that undue concern is unnecessary. In general, hornet stings are no more dangerous than bee or other wasp stings.

    Wasp vs. hornet sting

    The sting of a hornet is of course longer compared to that of a German wasp - equivalent to body size - and therefore perhaps more frightening. Because it penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin, it can also cause more pain for a short time. In numbers, the sting of a worker hornet measures 3.4 to 3.7 mm, that of a wasp about 2.6 mm. The stingers of both species are equipped with a venom sac that injects the venom through a channel into the puncture site.

    How devastating the consequences of a sting are depends on the injected quantity as well as on the toxicity and composition of the poison. And you can rest easy here, because many of these variables are surprisingly harmless in hornets.

    amount of poison

    The sheer amount of venom instilled in hornets is even less than that of their smaller cousins. In bees, barbs on the stinger ensure that the stinger stays in the puncture site longer and can empty the entire contents of the venom sac. Because hornets, like other wasp species, do not lose their stingers when they sting and can sting several times, only a small proportion of the poison is released each time. However, the numerically exact average amount per sting in hornets has not yet been officially determined.

    toxicity

    When it comes to toxicity, you can actually relax. Because here, too, bee venom is in the much more dangerous range. The toxic effect of hornet venom is defined as 8.7 to 10.9 mg per kg body weight. This means that a larger quantity is required for the same toxic effect than for bees. In the case of non-allergic people, only several hundred to a thousand stings would end fatally on this basis. However, such a case is virtually impossible due to the usual hornet colony size of a maximum of 200 individuals.

    The hornet species Vespa affinis or Vespa orientalis are known to have died after about 300 bites. However, these species are more poisonous than our Vespa crabro.

    For those allergic to insect venom, the hornet venom poses a serious risk. In the case of a so-called anaphylaxis, an increased, acute immune system reaction, even one sting can be life-threatening.

    composition

    What turns things around again is the composition of the hornet venom. In comparison to wasp or bee venom, it contains the substance acetylcholine, which causes a burning, pulsating pain sensation. However, in a study by the American entomologist J.O. Schmidt, the sensation of pain from a hornet sting was classified as identical to that from wasp and bee stings.

    Hornet sting symptoms

    Most often, hornet bites swell greatly

    Externally, a hornet sting does not differ from a bee or wasp sting. There is usually more or less severe swelling and reddening around the puncture site, followed by severe itching as a result of the immune response to the foreign protein.

    The part of the body where it sits is also decisive for the impairment caused by a hornet bite. Of course, it is less annoying on the leg or arm than on the foot, hand, finger or face. In the case of the head, one still has to differentiate with regard to the level of danger: a stab in the forehead is not really more critical than in the limbs, but in the eye or in the throat it is. Swelling in the throat can affect breathing and requires urgent treatment.

    insect venom allergy

    Anyone who suffers from an insect venom allergy is exposed to a much greater risk of a hornet sting than non-allergic people. In general, however, only about 0.8 to 4% of the population are affected. And the intensity of such hypersensitivity is also fundamentally different.

    There are 4 degrees of severity that go beyond local reactions:

    severity symptoms
    1. Mild Severe itching, nausea
    2. Intermediate As grade 1, also oedema, tightness, vomiting, gastrointestinal cramps, dizziness
    3. Hard As grade 1 and 2, also shortness of breath, swallowing and speech disorders
    4. Life-threatening - anaphylactic shock Like degrees 1, 2 and 3, also drop in blood pressure, unconsciousness, circulatory collapse, incontinence, blue discoloration of the skin

    Fortunately, the highest degree of severity associated with anaphylactic shock occurs extremely rarely. In 1999, the Federal Statistical Office registered a total of 21 deaths from insect venom allergy sufferers as a result of an insect bite.

    Hornets - a portrait

    The hornet, zoologically Vespa crabro, belongs to the family of wasps and to the subfamily of wasps. It is thus closely related to German and common wasps, the striped insects that we know only too well from their annoying visits to the breakfast or coffee table.

    Among the wasps, the hornet is the largest living species. A queen can reach an impressive body length of 23 to 35 millimeters, the workers are 18 to 25 millimeters long. The drones are found in between with a length of 21 to 28 millimeters.

    Hornets can be distinguished from other wasp species primarily by their size, but also by their coloration. Here is a brief overview of the most important distinguishing features in comparison with the German wasp:

    hornet German wasp
    size Workers: 18-25 mm, queens 23-35 mm, drones 21-28 mm long Workers 12 to 16 mm, queens up to 20 mm, drones 13 to 17 mm long
    coloring Middle segment (upper back) colored black and reddish brown up to the first third of the abdomen, yellow with black pattern behind (regionally different) Black back shield with yellow markings, abdomen clearly striped yellow and black and with dots markings on both sides
    Body shape and other identifying features Typical wasp shape (wasp waist), head quite broad at the back, more clearly separated from the middle segment, wings tinted reddish Overall straighter body shape, head and middle segment not significantly narrower than abdomen, wings narrower, colourless

    Hornet nests are impressive structures

    Like all social wasps, hornets live in states. Similar to other wasp species, they build their nests from chewed wood pulp, which makes the constructs look like they are made of papier-mâché. However, a colony of hornets remains smaller than the colonies of other wasp species. Due to the short lifespan of the workers (20-40 days), there are not 200 individuals living at the same time, even during the seasonal peak in September.

    digression

    Not all hornets are the same

    It is generally less well known that hornets form their own genus within the real wasps - there are several hornet species within the genus, with the hornet that gives it its name, i.e. the Vespa crabro, being the best known in our country.

    However, there are around 23 species worldwide and some of them are even larger than the hornet native to us. The queens of the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia), for example, reach a quite frightening body length of up to 55 millimeters. And in fact, this species of hornet is far more dangerous than the Vespa crabro that lives here. Here in Central Europe, however, it does not occur.

    How dangerous are hornets?

    Hornets intuitively evoke feelings of fear in many. Because they are so much larger and buzz so much deeper than other wasps, which can't necessarily be considered cuddly toys, that's understandable. However, their external appearance cannot be directly transferred to their dangerousness.

    "Seven hornet bites kill a horse, three kill an adult and two kill a child."

    This folk wisdom is widespread and stubbornly anchored in the collective consciousness to this day. It has long been exposed as an old wives' tale. No horse dies from seven hornet stings, nor does an adult from three, or a child from two. In any case, this cannot generally be asserted as a fact.

    However, that does not mean that hornets are completely harmless. Under certain circumstances, the animals are of course dangerous. The following factors play a particularly important role here:

    • Situation and handling of the animals
    • Individual sensitivity to insect venom (allergy)
    • species of hornet

    Danger depending on the situation

    How dangerous a hornet or an entire colony of hornets can become depends essentially on the situation. Because although they generally prefer not to sting and are less offensive than wasps, hornets can defend themselves under pressure. The be-all and end-all when dealing with them is therefore not to disturb or attack them. Incidentally, this is also prohibited under nature conservation law because of their species protection. Anyone who encounters hornets peacefully and cautiously will also be left alone by them.

    Proper behavior includes, above all, not moving frantically near a hornet's nest, not making any noise and not hitting or blowing away individual animals. Also, be careful not to accidentally crush them. All of this irritates the hornets and puts them into a defensive mode.

    tips

    Since hornets also hunt at night, it is easy for them to fly into your house when it is dark. In that case, you should quickly switch off the light and open the windows wide. In this way, the animal usually finds its own way back into the open. During the day it is advisable to catch stray hornets with a soft mesh net and bring them outside.

    With a rare hypersensitivity to insect venom, the danger of a hornet is of course much higher. You can find out more about insect venom allergies below.

    Finally, the type of hornet also plays a role. Depending on the species, the animals have a different composition of poison and behave differently aggressively. However, the common hornet that lives with us is no more poisonous and significantly less aggressive than other wasp species. More dangerous species are more likely to be found in tropical or Far Eastern areas.

    frequently asked Questions

    What does a hornet sting look like?

    A hornet sting is usually no different from any other wasp or bee sting. If the person who has been bitten does not suffer from an allergy to insect venom, a bright red colored sting will appear, which can be up to 10 centimeters in diameter. If the visual characteristics remain within these limits, you need not worry that the reaction indicates an allergic sensitivity that would require special treatment.

    How badly and for how long does a hornet sting hurt?

    Depending on how deep the stinger has penetrated the skin and how much venom has been injected, a hornet sting will hurt more or less. In general, a hornet sting goes deeper under the skin than bee or other wasp stings because of the longer stinger. That alone can lead to more pain. The acetylcholine contained in hornet venom also provides a burning sensation that is absent from wasp or bee stings.

    In an American study, however, the sensitivity to pain from hornet stings was rated just as high as that from bee or wasp stings.

    How long a hornet sting hurts depends on the type of sting and the individual response parameters. In a healthy person who is not hypersensitive, the pain usually subsides after about 4 to 5 days, even with moderate follow-up treatment.

    Allergy sufferers do not have to reckon with a longer duration, but above all with a higher intensity of the symptoms. Depending on the severity of the overreaction, the pain will be more severe and the symptoms more multiple, but they will not last much longer.

    Can you die from a hornet bite?

    Basically yes. However, certain conditions must be met for this. And fortunately, deaths from hornet stings are extremely rare.

    The risk of dying from hornet stings is particularly high in people who are allergic to insect venom. However, it is only likely that this will actually happen if the allergy is very pronounced and an allergic shock is triggered.

    Certain hornet species that are not found here, such as the Asian giant hornet, are more poisonous and aggressive than the common hornet that is native to this area.In Japan, an average of 40 people die from allergic reactions to stings from this species.

    What home remedies are there for hornet bites?

    Hornet stings are generally best treated with home remedies - because this category also includes the simple measures of heat and cold treatment. Pressing a hot lighter or a washcloth soaked in hot water over the area immediately after the sting can significantly reduce histamine release and associated itching, redness, and swelling in advance.

    Clay can also be used to draw the insecticide out of the wound, but it must be applied to the area immediately after the bite to be effective. The puncture channel closes very quickly.

    Afterwards, cooling with ice or cold packs is the best measure against the pain.

    A sliced onion or onion juice or vinegar brings quick help against the inflammation.

    Curd compresses provide pleasant cooling that cares for the skin.

    Does homeopathy help with a hornet sting?

    The effectiveness of homeopathy is generally highly controversial. Numerous studies contradict each other and trigger fierce discussions about compliance with established scientific standards. However, more and more people rely on the gentle therapy method, which treats the same with the same and, even if it may only trigger a placebo effect, at least does not cause any harm.

    Homeopathic remedies for insect bites represent the principle of the method in the most elementary way: Because the trigger of the complaints also serves directly as a treatment substance. Globule preparations such as Apis mellifica consist of whole honey bees together with their venom. They can therefore be used in particular for bee stings, but should also help against wasp and thus also hornet stings.

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Animals in the garden