What To Do If You Are Stung By A Yellow Jacket

Yellow jackets have barbed like pointers on their stinger that cause the stinger to get lodged into the skin.  The stinger is usually left behind, along with the venom sac.  It is important to remove a stinger as quickly as possible because venom can continue to be released even if it’s not attached to the bee.  The venom can cause an allergic reaction or a possible infection.

Source: Using tweezers to remove a stinger from a hand

Source: Mayo Clinic

Symptoms of infection include:

  • redness
  • itchiness
  • swelling
  • continued pain in area of sting 3-5 afterwards
  • fever
  • chills

Consult your Doctor immediately if any of these symptoms occur.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

  • swollen tongue and throat
  • wheezing
  • dizziness
  • short of breath
  • sudden drop in blood pressure

Consult your Doctor immediately at signs of an allergic reaction.

What to do if stung:

  • immediately remove stinger
  • wash the area with soap and water
  • apply a cold compress
  • apply a nonsteroidal anti-infammatory drug to reduce pain
  • apply an antihistamine or hydrocortisone ointment to reduce swelling, redness, and itchiness

It’s very important to call a pest professional if you believe a yellow jacket nest is near your property.  We DO NOT recommend you try to remove this on your own…this could result in being stung.

For yellow jacket removal, wasp removal, and hornet removal, call the professionals at Northwest Exterminating.

Other blogs: How to Treat a Yellow Jacket Sting

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Bees vs. Wasps

Bees and wasps are often confused for one another.  Although they both belong to the hymenoptera order and share similar features, they are different.  Below is a list of basic shared features, as well as a list of features that set them apart from one another.

Pictures courtesy of NPMA

Pictures courtesy of NPMA

Bees AND Wasps

  • two sets of wings
  • only females can sting
  • overwintering pests
  • narrow waist
  • larvae
  • can sting and inject venom
  • barb like pointers on stinger used to penetrate victim

Bees

  • some bees (honeybees) will die if stinger is pulled from bee, others will continue to live
  • round body
  • fuzzy appearance
  • feed on pollen and nectar

Wasps

  • do not leave their stingers behind
  • small barbs
  • slender and smooth body
  • no fuzz
  • preys on other insects and spiders

For bee and wasp removal, call our team at Northwest Exterminating!

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