The Asian hornet is a formidable bee killer and an enemy of beekeepers. Individuals, especially families, don't like them much either! Asian hornets sometimes invite themselves to a picnic under the arbour, a barbecue in front of the vacation home, a camping trip... What are the risks involved? How to protect yourself from an attack? How to react to a sting? The right first aid measure: an Aspivenin® anti-venom pump*.
Asian hornets in France
The yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina, an invasive hornet of Asian origin, was first reported in France in the Lot-et-Garonne region in 2004. It was introduced with pottery imported from China by a local horticulturist. This species has since spread widely, invading more than half of France and several other European countries.
How to recognize it ?
The individuals acclimatized in France belong to the nigrithorax variety, i.e. black thorax, and are thus characterized by their predominantly brown coloration Easy to recognize, the Asian hornet is the only social wasp present in Europe with such a dark livery. Clearly brown-black, the adult is easily recognized with its brown and black striped thorax, its orange head with a black forehead and its abdomen with a large orange ring.
How to protect yourself from a sting?
A lone hornet will not sting you if you do not try to kill it or push it away. When it comes into contact with you, its reaction is usually to flee. However, if he gets caught in your clothing or hair, in a defensive situation, there is a good chance that he will sting you. If you see a nest, stay at a safe distance of 5 m and do not try to destroy it yourself. If you have disturbed the colony and hornets are flying around you, do not run away, stop moving and close your eyes if necessary. The hornets should calm down quickly and you can calmly walk away
When to worry about a sting?
The danger of a hornet's sting lies in the fact that it has a very long stinger that can reach the blood vessels at the time of stinging and thus accelerate the effects of the reaction. You should contact the SAMU (15), in case of a sting on the face and if it causes an edema, if other stings develop following the first one or if the sting causes allergies resulting in discomfort, itching, abnormal drop in blood pressure, respiratory problems, generalized hives, anaphylactic shock.
How to react to a sting?
In the summer, keep an Aspivenin® anti-venom pump on hand to quickly and easily perform a first aid procedure*. Take the time to (re)read the instructions carefully at the beginning of the summer and if necessary before use. Secondly, the sting should be disinfected and a compress soaked in cold water should be applied for 15 minutes to relieve the pain. If the stinger is present at the level of the sting, try to remove it with tweezers, but after the venom has been sucked out with the venom pump and not before, as the presence of the stinger facilitates the extraction of the venom. Do not use the venom pump on the eyelids, mucous membranes, genitals or eardrums.
*Aspivenin® venom pump is a first aid measure. Its application quickly relieves pain and itching and limits the formation of swelling. Read the instructions carefully. In case of significant reaction, consult a doctor. This medical device is a regulated health product which carries, under this regulation, the CE mark.
