Are parasitic wasps dangerous to humans?

What are parasitic wasps, and are they dangerous to humans? 

Parasitic wasps (also called parasitoid wasps) belong to the family Ichneumonidae and are known for laying their eggs inside other insects, often acting as a natural caterpillar parasite. While the name might sound intimidating, these wasps are not considered harmful to humans, and rarely occur in large numbers as they are primarily solitary. Unlike a paper wasp sting, which can be painful, parasitic wasps do not sting people and typically don’t defend themselves aggressively.

Most parasitic wasps are very small and often go unnoticed. They’re more focused on controlling insect populations than interacting with people. For this reason, they’re sometimes used in agriculture as a form of natural pest management.

Worried about wasps near your property?

If you’ve noticed wasps nesting near your home or you’re worried about stings, our technicians can inspect the area, identify the species, and provide a customized wasp control plan to help protect your property.