Stinging insects that make their homes underground are common in many environments. These insects often inhabit lawns, gardens, and other outdoor areas, leading to potential encounters. Understanding these ground-dwelling species and their nesting habits helps avoid painful stings and promotes a safer outdoor experience.
Key Ground-Nesting Stinging Insects
Several types of stinging insects commonly establish their colonies beneath the ground’s surface, each with distinct characteristics and behaviors.
Yellow jackets are aggressive wasps with smooth, slender bodies and distinct yellow and black markings, typically 3/8 to 5/8 of an inch long. They build paper-like nests in abandoned rodent burrows or other cavities. Their defensive behavior intensifies as colonies grow, especially in late summer.
Bumblebees are larger and fuzzier than yellow jackets, with rounder bodies and varying patterns of black and yellow hairs. These beneficial pollinators are less aggressive and nest in existing sheltered spaces like old rodent nests, dense grass clumps, or compost piles. Their nests are not highly organized.
Fire ants are reddish-brown, with worker ants varying from 1/16 to 1/4 inch long within the same colony. They have a unique two-segmented pedicel, or “waist.” Fire ants are highly aggressive, swarming and stinging in unison when their nests are disturbed.
Recognizing Their Nests
Identifying ground-dwelling stinging insect nests often relies on observing activity around entry points rather than the nest structure itself.
Yellow jacket nests are often concealed underground, marked by a single, small entry hole. A constant stream of yellow jackets flying in and out of such an opening indicates a hidden nest.
Bumblebee nests are more difficult to spot, often hidden under dense vegetation, in old rodent burrows, or within compost piles. The entrance might appear as a small hole or disturbed patch of grass, with bees consistently entering and exiting. These nests blend seamlessly with surroundings.
Fire ant mounds are distinctive, appearing as dome-shaped piles of loose, fluffy soil. Unlike many other ant species, fire ant mounds lack a central entrance hole on top, with ants entering and exiting through tunnels extending from the mound.
Encountering Ground-Nesting Stingers
Encountering ground-nesting stinging insects requires a cautious approach to ensure safety. The most effective way to prevent stings is to maintain a safe distance from identified nests. Most stings occur when a nest is accidentally disturbed, so avoid walking barefoot in grassy or unkempt areas where nests might be hidden.
If you inadvertently disturb a nest or find yourself surrounded by stinging insects, remain calm and move away slowly. Swatting at insects can provoke them further and increase the likelihood of stings. Seeking immediate shelter indoors, such as a vehicle or building, helps escape an attack.
For a typical sting, clean the affected area with soap and water, then apply ice or a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain. However, some individuals can experience a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, which requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing, widespread hives, swelling of the face, throat, or tongue, a rapid pulse, or dizziness. Recognizing these signs and seeking emergency care promptly can be life-saving.