Have you ever seen a large, yellow hornet in your garden, or perhaps inside your house? Did you feel a little scared or startled when you saw it? These animals are what we call European hornets. They are a little bigger than the common hornets in our country. So, today we will talk about these guys, the effects they can cause, and how to be careful of them.
Who is this European Hornet?
Simply put, this is also a member of the hornet family. The scientific name is `(Vespa crabro)`. They belong to the `(Hymenoptera)` order, which includes insects like bees and wasps. Some people also call them brown hornets.
The queen in this bee hive is the largest. She can be about two inches long. What we usually see outside are the workers. They are about an inch or an inch and a half long.
The easiest way to identify them is by their appearance. The head is red and yellow. Below that, the thorax is red and brown. The abdomen is brown on top, but underneath it is almost completely yellow. This yellow part has small brown teardrop-like shapes.
So what do these guys eat?
These lizards are hunters. They hunt and eat animals like grasshoppers and other small insects. They also need sugar and carbohydrates. To satisfy that need, they drink the juice of ripe fruits that have fallen to the ground and the sap that oozes from the bark of trees.
Where do these two live? Why do they come to the garden?
As the name suggests, these birds are native to Europe and parts of Asia. They are now found all over the world. They prefer wooded, forested areas. If you have a lot of trees around your home, they are likely to come to your garden.
They make their nests from a material similar to paper. They often prefer to build their nests high above the ground, inside hollow spaces in trees. However, they sometimes build their nests in man-made structures. For example:
- Unused storage rooms (Barns/Sheds)
- Attics in houses
- Wall voids
These beetles are especially active at night. So they may be attracted to the lights outside your house, which is one reason they come to your garden.
Another thing is that some queen bees are looking for a safe place to spend the winter. They can then hide in small holes in houses, in crevices in windows, and then, when the weather gets better, they can accidentally enter the house while trying to get out.
Are European hornets really dangerous?
Here's the important thing: For those who are allergic to wasp, hornet, or bee venom, these animals can be much more dangerous than the average person.
But these two are not aggressive animals that attack for no reason. They usually attack only when they feel threatened or afraid. That means if you throw a rock at the cage or try to break it, they may attack.
Despite its large body, the pain of a wasp sting is said to be similar to that of a regular bee sting. But there is one difference. A bee can sting only once, but this wasp can sting several times in a row.
| Reaction type | Expected features |
|---|---|
| A normal reaction (one piercing) | Pain, swelling, and itching at the injection site. These symptoms usually subside within an hour or two. |
| Severe allergic reaction (Anaphylaxis) | Difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, hives. This is a condition that requires emergency medical attention. |
| Multiple Stings | Excessive amounts of toxins entering the body can cause severe symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, fainting, or seizures. |
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When to seek immediate medical advice
In the following cases, call an ambulance without delay or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- If you know you have had a previous allergy to wasp/wasp venom.
- If the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (Anaphylaxis) mentioned in the table above (difficulty breathing, facial swelling, hives) occur.
- If symptoms occur that affect the whole body (such as dizziness, loss of consciousness) in addition to the puncture site.
First aid for a common puncture wound that can be done at home
If you only have a little pain and swelling at the puncture site, don't worry. Follow these steps.
1. Remove the venomous stinger: First, check to see if the venomous stinger is still attached to the skin. If it is, gently scrape it off with a fingernail or something like a credit card. Do not squeeze it with your fingers. Doing so may cause more venom to enter the body.
2. Clean: Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water.
3. Reduce swelling: Wrap some ice cubes in a cloth and apply them to the affected area for about 10 minutes. This will reduce both pain and swelling.
4. Apply a cream: Apply an antihistamine or cortisone cream recommended by your doctor to reduce itching and swelling.
5. Painkillers: If the pain is unbearable, you can take a painkiller such as paracetamol on medical advice .
How do you escape from these two?
The best and simplest thing to do if you see a wasp nest is to leave it alone . They will usually leave the nest over time.
But you can do these things to reduce their presence in the garden:
- Remove rotten fruit that has fallen to the ground immediately.
- Cover the fruit trees or flower bushes in your garden with something like fine mesh.
- Avoid leaving lights on unnecessarily at night.
- Thoroughly seal holes in the walls of your home, around windows and doors, and where wires and pipes enter.
If you need to remove a nest, it's a bit risky. If possible, get help from an experienced person. If you're doing it yourself, dress fully covered, tuck your socks and pants inside your socks, stay out of the sun until dusk, and use a bee and wasp repellent.
Warning: Be very careful when using pesticides. These are very dangerous for you, your children and your pets. Always read the label carefully and follow the instructions. In case of accidental ingestion, immediately go to the nearest hospital ETU (Emergency Treatment Unit) . You can also call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for further advice.
Take-Home Message
- The European Hornet is a large animal that does not usually attack indiscriminately.
- The greatest risk is for those who are allergic to bee venom.
- If you develop severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing and facial swelling, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- For a common puncture, first aid that can be done at home without panicking is sufficient.
- Be very careful when removing wasp nests and using insecticides. If in doubt, seek help from someone who knows.


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