Asian hornets are invading the UK, this is what you should do if you get stung

The Asian hornet is not a native species to the UK and yet somehow it seems to be setting residence in our land. It first arrived in Europe in 2004, in France more specifically. But since 2016, it’s been increasingly spotted in England.

For instance, it is reported that in 2023 alone, 183 nests were found. To put that number into perspective, in 2022, 174 nests were found. This Asian hornet poses a threat to both the native insects in the UK as well as humans. In Japan, these hornets are responsible for 50 deaths a year.

So what should you do if you happen to be stung?

How do you recognise an Asian hornet?

It is not always easy to differentiate between bees, bumblebees, wasps, European hornets and Asian hornets. Lucky for us, the latter has a few distinctive features.

According to iNews, they have ‘striking yellow socks.’ The end of their legs are yellow. Moreover, overall, it is crucial to remember that Asian hornets are smaller than European ones but are bigger than wasps.

Their face is orange and their colours are darker than those of any similar European insects.

Read more:Warning issued over plague of insects that are a 'hazard to human health'

What to do if you spot an Asian Hornet?

If you were to encounter one, it is crucial that you do not run as they will perceive that as a threat. If you see a nest, do not approach but instead try to take a picture from a safe distance.

Then, it is advised that you reach out to the Great British Non-Native Species Secretariat and email them the place and pictures of your sighting at: alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk

There is also an app called Asian Hornet Watch which is free to download on both Android and IPhones.

What do you do if you get stung?

First of all, it should be said that Asian hornets, like wasps, are usually not looking to hurt humans. Yes, they are scary and can sting when they feel threatened, but stinging humans is not in their nature.

If you do get stung, the Washington State Department of Health says that you should follow these steps.

• Apply ice
• Take antihistamine
• Clean the sting

The NHS also suggests that you take paracetamol for the pain.

Usually insect bites do not require a trip to the GP or the hospital but some people might develop an allergic reaction. If after being stung by an asian hornet you feel any of the following symptoms, you must call 111 or get an urgent GP appointment:

• your symptoms get worse or are not getting any better
• you were stung in your mouth or throat, or near your eyes
• you have tummy pain and are being sick
• you feel dizzy or lightheaded
• a large area around the bite or sting becomes red and swollen
• you have a high temperature and swollen glands
• you were stung more than once
• you've had a serious allergic reaction to an insect bite or sting before

Finally, in case of an even more important allergic reaction you must immediately call 999. The symptoms of a ‘serious allergic reaction’ are:

• your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
• your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
• your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• someone faints and cannot be woken up
• a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
• You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised or itchy.

Read more:

⋙ Cockroaches have genetically mutated to survive humans: This trap no longer works on the insect

⋙ This man's insect bite wouldn't go away, it turned out to be a sign of a devastating condition

Sources:

Washington State Department of Health

NHS

iNews: Is the Asian hornet sting dangerous? How it compares to European hornet and what to do if you find one in UK