Summertime is insect time – and that brings not only buzzing company while eating outdoors, but also many questions:
What is actually the difference between a wasp and a bee?
Why does a mosquito bite itch for days? And what makes the tiger mosquito so dangerous?
We'll take a closer look at the most common insects – divided into two groups:
🐝 Group 1: Pollinators & Buzzers – Bees, Wasps, Hornets
| insect | Identifying features | Behave | Danger to humans | Uses in nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bee | Roundish, brown-yellow hairy | Peaceful, only stings when threatened | Minor (stinger remains stuck) | Pollination, honey production |
| wasp | Smooth, yellow and black striped | Curious, often flies at food | Medium (multiple stitches possible) | Eats pests, pollinators |
| hornet | Very large, orange-brown with yellow | Avoid people, fly calmly | Slight (stings are painful, but rare) | Eats other insects, no interest in sweets |
Hornets have a bad reputation, but they are much more peaceful than people think. They are a protected species.
🦟 Group 2: Pests & Biters – Flies, Mosquitoes & Exotic Insects
| insect | Identifying features | Behave | Danger of stings | Special risks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| fly | Small, grey-black, nimble | Annoying, no bites | ❌ | Can transmit germs |
| Mosquito (general) | Thin, long-legged, fluttering | The female stings to suck blood. | ✅ | Itching, local reaction |
| mosquito | Very tall, long legs | It looks threatening, but doesn't sting. | ❌ | No danger |
| mosquito | Smaller than a crane fly | Sucking blood, often active at night | ✅ | Itching, harmless in many species |
| Tiger mosquito | black and white striped | Active during the day, aggressive | ✅✅✅ | Transmits diseases (e.g., dengue) |
| Yellow fever mosquito | Black with white dots | Tropical, imported through travel | ✅✅✅ | Carrier of yellow fever, Zika, dengue |
Attention exotics:
The Asian tiger mosquito and the yellow fever mosquito are invasive species that are spreading in Europe due to climate change. Their bites can actually be dangerous – not because of the itching, but because of the potential transmission of viruses.
Why do insect bites itch for so long?
Whether it's a mosquito, wasp, or tiger mosquito – the bite often itches for hours or even days. But what actually happens in the body?
1. 🐝 The trigger: venom or saliva, depending on the insect
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Mosquitoes inject saliva containing anticoagulant and pain-relieving substances. This is recognized as "foreign" by the immune system.
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Wasps, bees, and hornets inject a venom containing enzymes and proteins. These trigger a local inflammatory reaction – with redness, swelling, and itching.
🧠 Important: The immune system reacts to these substances with a defense response , even if the body is not "infected".
2. The body's reaction: Histamine is released.
As soon as the body recognizes the poison or saliva, it releases histamine .
This leads to:
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dilated blood vessels (→ redness)
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Fluid leakage into the tissue (→ swelling)
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Irritation of nerve endings (→ itching! )
Depending on predisposition, this reaction can be very mild or very strong.
3. Why does the itching last so long?
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The body needs time to break down the toxin or foreign substances.
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The area remains irritated as long as histamine is active.
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Scratching makes everything worse: it irritates the skin, spreads the substances further, and can even lead to bacterial infections.
✅ What helps – naturally & effectively?
| Tip | Effect |
|---|---|
| Cooling (e.g., ice cubes) | It constricts blood vessels and reduces swelling. |
| Aloe vera, ribwort plantain | soothes and has an anti-inflammatory effect |
| Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar | mildly disinfecting & itch-relieving |
| Don't scratch! | prevents infections and scarring |
Knowledge protects
Knowing the differences between these insects will help you enjoy a more relaxed summer. Many of them are beneficial, some are annoying – and some should be closely monitored because they pose health risks.
🌿 At VapoWesp, we rely on natural solutions for prevention and defense – without toxins, without panic. The best approach is to keep insects away and thus avoid the risk of insect bites – rising smoke works perfectly for this – whether it's a wasp, a crane fly, or a tiger mosquito!
Because respect and education are the best insect protection.
