Does a Wasp Die After It Stings You?

What paper wasps look like in Knoxville TN - Russell's Pest Control

Bees have many unique quirks and character traits. Beyond their intricate communication style and their profound environmental importance, another interesting fact about bees is that they can only sting once in their life. This leads many people to ask: can wasps only sting once, too?

Despite their apparent similarities, wasps are actually quite different. Unlike bees, wasps can sting multiple times on many targets throughout their life. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between wasp vs bee stings.

Wasp Stings vs Bee Stings—What’s the Difference?

One wasp sting can be comparable in pain to a bee sting. However, one wasp sting can easily be accompanied by many more. When you are stung by a bee, on the other hand, its barbed stinger latches into your skin, ripping out part of the bee’s digestive tract that it is attached to. This causes the bee to die shortly after it stings you.

Wasps’ stingers remain attached to their bodies after they sting. The stinger looks like a small needle, and the wasp uses it to inject venom into their victim. The venom is designed to paralyze small insects so that they can bring them back to their nest, but also to convince large predators not to mess with them.

What Causes Wasps to Sting?

A wasp will sting someone when they think that their nest is being threatened. The problem with this is that they are easily provoked, and they release a pheromone that alerts nearby wasps to come help deal with the threat. This results in many people experiencing multiple wasp stings at a time. When a swarm of wasps targets you, the effects can be very serious. Multiple wasp sting symptoms include:

  • Welts, hives, and rashes
  • Fever, nausea, and headache
  • Painful bumps
  • Joint swelling
  • In extreme cases, death

Wasp Nest Removal Services in Knoxville TN

Wasp nests are built out of chewed-up wood and look like layered formations of gray paper. If you find that wasps have constructed a nest somewhere around your home, let the experts at your local pest control company know. Our wasp removal specialists at Russell’s Pest Control are trained to remove bee, wasp, and hornet nests using the safest and most humane methods possible. Reach out today for a free estimate on wasp nest removal!

Little Black Ants In Tennessee

A little black ant found in Knoxville TN - Russell's Pest Control

Having a huge trail of ants appear in the house out of nowhere seems like a universal experience. Little black ants appear to move by the hundreds, and more often than not, it can be difficult to discern where they are coming from. So, how do little black ants get in, and what can we do to stop them? Read on for Russell’s Pest Control’s expert advice on ant prevention and control in Knoxville TN.

Why Are There Little Black Ants in My House?

Any ant colony produces worker ants that are constantly on the lookout for accessible food sources to nourish their colony with. When they stumble upon one, they will emit pheromones that signal to other worker ants that there is food nearby. Little black ants aren’t very picky eaters, but they do know what they like. They are often found around these foods:

  • Meats
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Grains
  • Sweet foods containing simple sugars

With that said, little black ants will eat just about anything that is left out for easy access.

How To Control Ants On Your Own

It can be a nightmare to try to get rid of ants once they’ve established themselves inside your home. This means that the most effective method of ant control is properly preventing them in the first place. You can follow these steps to decrease your chances of ant issues:

  1. After eating, seal and store your food and wash your dishes right away.
  2. Clean up spills as soon as they happen.
  3. Inspect your house for cracks in the walls or gaps by windows and doors.
  4. Spray diluted essential oils in places that might attract ants (lemon juice and peppermint oil both prevent ants).

Preventing Little Black Ants in Knoxville TN

If your house is currently being overtaken by little black ants, using an EPA-approved ant control spray could work as a temporary solution to your problem. However, long-term ant control requires routine attention and consistent habits. For reliable ant control that can tackle even the largest infestations in Knoxville TN, you should reach out to your local pest control company. The ant extermination experts at Russell’s Pest Control can use sprays, traps, baits, and other exclusion efforts to locate the source of your infestation and put it to a stop. Contact us today for a free quote!