02-05-2025
Wasps are back in Tennessee: Mild winter sparks surge. Here's what you need to know
It's a bird. It's a plane. It's a ... wasp!
As temperatures in Middle Tennessee start to increase, the insect has decided to make its grand return with an extra bit of pizzazz.
The common wasp, or vespula vulgaris, has been on Earth for millions of years. Its lineage dates back about 260 million to 270 million years to the Late Permian period. The oldest fossils are from 240 million years ago.
But, if you feel like you're seeing more of the stinging insects than usual this spring, the snow we had this winter might be at fault, according to Tennessee State University professor Jason Oliver. He noted that snowy weather creates an insulating blanket for insects overwintering in logs, beneath logs and below leaf litter.
'The numbers of wasps may be a little higher this year due to winter generally being pretty mild and more surveying overwintering," he said. "With a rise in temperatures, we're having a lot of wasp activity, so it might give the appearance of an influx of wasps all of a sudden, but numbers really are not much higher than normal."
Here's more about wasps:
Some might be surprised to learn that there are actually more than 30,000 wasp species. The three most commonly encountered are hornets, paper wasps and yellow jackets.
While they might be a nuisance to summer activities, a world without wasps would suffer. As Oliver explained: 'Wasps do have an important role in the control of pest insects. Paper wasps, for example, feed on caterpillars.'
Without wasps, Oliver says we would see a decline in plant diversity, an increase in pests such as flies and caterpillars, and increased food prices due to damaged crops.
Wasps are mostly attracted to sweet scents and bright colors, Oliver said.
'Since they take advantage of nectar or other sources of sugar, they will sometimes respond to perfumes or brightly colored clothing that they might mistake for a flower,' he explained.
And a wasp's sense of "smell" is a powerful thing.
The insects use carbon dioxide to locate mammals that invade their nests.
'Wasps such as yellowjackets often have their nests raided by vertebrate animals like skunks, and the CO2 response helps them locate the intruder," Oliver said. "The main thing is to get away from any nest that is disturbed, since wasps like paper wasps, yellowjackets, hornets, etc. will all be the most defensive next to their nests.'
It's important to remember that wasps only attack if they feel threatened. However, if your home structure and surrounding yard have an influx of wasps, Oliver said there are several steps you can take.
'Many choose to handle small paper wasp nests themselves with a can of labeled insect spray that can be purchased over the counter,' he said. 'However, if paper wasp nests are very large with lots of wasps or you are dealing with yellowjackets or hornets, (they) can have thousands of individuals in the nest.'
And that's when it might be time to call in a professional.
Additionally, if a wasp nest on a house is too high to reach, it may be better to just leave it alone since it is not close to areas of high human activity, Oliver said.
There are several steps to follow in case of a sting:
Apply a cold compress or wrap an ice pack in a towel or wash rag and place over the sting site to reduce swelling.
If needed, take an over-the-counter product that can reduce the pain of the sting.
Most importantly, watch for signs or symptoms of more serious allergic responses that can lead to anaphylaxis, such as severe swelling, hives away from the sting site, difficulty in breathing, mental confusion and low blood pressure.
As Oliver explained: "Any symptom like this, or anything that is unusual for the person or just generally concerning, should be quickly dealt with by a medical professional, since anaphylactic reactions can be life-threatening. The more stings a person receives also may increase the risk of complications due to greater volumes of venom. "
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Wasps return to Middle Tennessee: Expert offers advice on what to do
