Yellow jackets are common stinging insects, often mistaken for bees due to their similar yellow and black markings. These wasps are frequently encountered during outdoor activities, particularly in late summer and early fall. Understanding their behavior and unique stinging capabilities is important for safely coexisting with them.
The Yellow Jacket’s Stinger: A Key Difference
Yellow jackets differ from honey bees in their stingers. Yellow jackets have a smooth, lance-like stinger with small barbs, allowing them to sting repeatedly. Unlike honey bees, whose barbed stingers remain embedded, causing the bee to die, a yellow jacket can withdraw its stinger and inject venom multiple times.
Because their stinger is not left behind, yellow jackets can deliver multiple stings. This ability, combined with their aggressive nature when provoked, makes them a more potent threat. Their venom, like that of most wasps, primarily poses a danger to individuals who are allergic or receive numerous stings.
Why Yellow Jackets Sting
Yellow jackets primarily sting as a defensive mechanism, particularly when they feel their nest or food sources are threatened. These social wasps construct nests in various locations, including underground, in wall voids, or in sheltered areas like tree cavities and eaves. Disturbing a nest, even inadvertently by walking near it or mowing the lawn, can provoke an aggressive response and lead to multiple stings.
Yellow jackets are opportunistic predators and scavengers, with their diet shifting seasonally. Early in the season, they hunt insects for their larvae; later, they seek sugary substances. This dietary change often brings them into contact with humans at picnics or around garbage cans, as they are attracted to sweet foods and meats. They may sting if they perceive a threat to these food sources.
What to Do After a Yellow Jacket Sting
If stung by a yellow jacket, moving away from the area immediately is important to avoid additional stings, as they can release an alarm pheromone that signals other yellow jackets to attack. For most people, a yellow jacket sting results in localized pain, swelling, redness, and itching. To treat a mild reaction, wash the sting site with soap and water. Applying a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a cloth for 10 to 20 minutes can help reduce pain and swelling.
Over-the-counter medications can alleviate symptoms; antihistamines can reduce itching and swelling, while pain relievers can help with discomfort. In some cases, applying calamine lotion or a baking soda paste can also provide relief. However, if symptoms include difficulty breathing, wheezing, hives across the body, facial swelling, dizziness, or confusion, these could indicate a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) requiring immediate medical attention. If an individual has a known severe allergy, they should use an epinephrine auto-injector if available and call emergency services.
Preventing Yellow Jacket Encounters
Preventing yellow jacket encounters requires understanding their attractions. Since they are drawn to food and sugary drinks, keep food sealed and covered outdoors, and promptly dispose of waste in tightly sealed trash cans. Avoiding brightly colored clothing and strong scents, like perfumes, can also help deter them.
If a yellow jacket approaches, remaining calm and avoiding sudden movements is important, as swatting at them can provoke aggressive behavior. Instead, slowly move away or stand still until they depart. Regularly checking for and addressing yellow jacket nests around your home, especially in ground holes, wall voids, or under eaves, can also reduce the likelihood of encounters.