Sign-in to Account
Call Us

(855) 948-5816

aptive-registered-logo-white

Find Service Area

Why Do Pests Sting?

Written by Aptive Environmental March 16, 2020

Many of us fear stinging insects (for good reason). Some species can have incredibly powerful and painful stings! If you’re allergic, a simple insect sting can be a life-threatening situation. However, most people aren’t allergic, so you will probably only experience brief discomfort. Since most insects can’t drastically harm humans, why do they even sting in the first place? Keep reading to learn more about why certain bugs sting, what types of insects sting, treating these injuries, and how to get rid of them if you have an infestation.

Why Do Wasps Sting?

All insects typically sting because they are defending themselves or their nest. However, most of the time humans aren’t even aware they are provoking an insect when they get stung. In addition, some species are more aggressive than others – for example, Japanese Hornets are known to chase their victim for miles and sting multiple times.

Yellowjackets are a more aggressive species as well, causing many to wonder why do yellow jackets sting more often? Since they are more social than other wasps, they defend their nest more fiercely.

Types of Stinging Insects

There are many types of stinging pests and insects out there. Most of these fall within the realm of wasps, bees, or ants. There are also plenty of bugs that bite rather than sting such as spiders, centipedes, ticks, bed bugs, and more.

Wasps

There are thousands of wasp species, but only the females have stingers. A few common types of wasps include yellow jackets, paper wasps, and hornets. Some are more aggressive than others and some have more painful stings. Paper wasps are known for having one of the most painful stings in the world! Wasps typically make nests in hidden areas above the ground such as in porch ceilings and tree branches.

Ants

There are a few species of ants that sting such as fire ants, velvet ants, and bullet ants (another species that has an extremely painful sting).

Bees

Bees are another common type of insect. Unlike most species of wasps, bees are responsible for pollinating many garden crops and flowers. They also create honey. Thankfully, their sting is a little less painful than most other stinging insects.

Scorpions

Scorpions are another type of stinging insect. There are nearly 100 species of scorpions found throughout the United States, mostly in hot areas like Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. There are only a few species that are abnormally venomous, such as Bark scorpions (typically found in Arizona).

Treating a Sting

Although an insect sting might not severely harm you if you’re not allergic, treating it can help ease the pain and itchiness that often comes with some bug bites. Treatment can vary depending on the type of insect sting. For example, how to treat a wasp sting can differ from an intense bullet ant sting.

For less intense insect stings that you know you’re not allergic to, you should start by removing the stinger if it is still in the skin. Then, clean the wound with soap and water to prevent infection. Apply a cold compress or ice pack to the area for about 10 minutes to ease swelling. Finally, raise the area if possible to help reduce swelling.

Getting Rid of Stinging Insects

Some types of common stingers such as wasps and yellow jackets can infest areas around your home, which can be dangerous because many of them aggressively defend their nests when people get too close. Additionally, stinging ants like fire ants can create colonies in your backyard.

Calling stinger and biter extermination is the most effective route to avoid any inconvenient stings and bites, or even avoid a potential hospital visit if you’re severely allergic. Aptive Environmental offers effective pest control services with offices around the United States.

Curated articles for you, from our pest experts.

A Cozy Living Room Decorated For Christmas, Featuring A Stone Fireplace Adorned With Stockings And A Brightly Lit Christmas Tree Surrounded By Neatly Wrapped Presents.

How to Keep Pests Out of Your Holiday Decorations

The holiday season is a time of joy, warmth, and festive décor. But as you deck the halls, unwelcome pests can find your decorations just as inviting. Whether your ornaments are on display or tucked away in storage, these tips will help you enjoy your holidays...

Nov 25, 2024
A Snow-Covered Suburban Landscape Featuring A Two-Story White House With A Red Front Door And A Wreath. Snow-Laden Evergreen Trees Frame The Scene, Creating A Picturesque Winter Setting.

How to Protect Your Home With These Winter Pest Control Tips

As temperatures drop, your home becomes a prime target for cold-weather pests looking for warmth. Common intruders like rodents, spiders, and cockroaches seek shelter inside houses during winter. Effective winter pest control is essential to keep these pests out...

Nov 22, 2024
Modern Basement Interior With Light Beige Walls, Dark Wood Flooring, And A Cozy Seating Area Featuring A White Armchair And A Patterned Rug Next To A Stylish Staircase With Wooden Railings.

5 Common Insects in the Basement and How to Handle Them

If you feel like your basement is being overrun by bugs or insects, you're not alone. Common insects such as spiders, centipedes, and beetles are frequently found in these spaces. The insects found here are attracted to dark, humid environments and away from the...

Nov 22, 2024
Four Outdoor Garbage Bins In Blue, Brown, Gray, And Green Placed Side By Side, Marked With The Number 23. The Bins Are Against A Red Wooden Fence With Gardening Tools Resting Inside One Of The Bins.

What Attracts Pests to Your Garbage and How to Keep Them Away

If you’ve ever struggled with cockroaches, flies, or rats, you know how frustrating it can feel when they seem to have a secret invitation to your garbage. These pests are often drawn to food residue, moisture, and even strong odors emanating from your trash....

Nov 22, 2024
A Modern, Two-Story House With A Gray And White Exterior, Illuminated By Warm Interior Lights At Dusk, Showcasing A Clean Driveway And A Small Front Yard.

Household Pests That Thrive During Rainy Seasons

When the weather turns wet, it’s not just humans who seek shelter—many pests take advantage of the moisture and humidity. Rainy season pests can cause serious problems for homeowners, from mosquitoes breeding in standing water to ants invading kitchens in search of...

Nov 20, 2024
Brown Rat Perched On A Stone Ledge, Surrounded By Green Foliage, With A Focused Expression And Vibrant Background.

3 Reasons Why it’s Important to Act Fast to Get Rid of Pests

You've spotted pests in your home—maybe a trail of ants, a mouse in the garage, or a few cockroaches in the kitchen. Your first reaction might be to ignore it, hoping the problem will go away on its own. But that's a mistake. In this article, we'll explore three...

Nov 19, 2024
Modern Basement Interior With Light Beige Walls, Dark Wood Flooring, And A Cozy Seating Area Featuring A White Armchair And A Patterned Rug Next To A Stylish Staircase With Wooden Railings.

How to Keep Pests Out of Your Home

There’s nothing quite like the peace of a well-maintained home. But that peace can be disrupted when pests find their way indoors. Whether it’s ants marching through the kitchen, spiders taking up residence in your home, or mice scurrying in the attic, pests are...

Nov 18, 2024
A Warm Evening View Of A Modern Home, Looking Through Large Windows Into A Kitchen Where A Family Of Four Is Gathered Around A Kitchen Island. Outside, The Patio Area Is Surrounded By Lush Greenery And Outdoor Furniture.

Top 10 Move-In Checklist Items for New Homeowners

Moving into a new home is an exciting milestone, marking the start of a fresh chapter in life. However, once the thrill of unpacking subsides, the reality of settling in and organizing your new space kicks in. To ensure a smooth transition and establish a...

Nov 15, 2024

Take back your home with pest control today.