There are many different types of stinging insects and if you want to know everything about them, this article is for you. Read our guide about stinging bugs!
Everything in nature has its purpose, from the smallest flower to the ugliest bug. Even stinging bugs — despite being a real nuisance — have their place in nature. Bees, for example, help pollinate flowers and give animals (including humans) delicious honey!
But there are plenty more stinging bugs out there than just bees. Let’s take a closer look at stinging bugs and learn a thing or two about them.
Insects That Sting
There are a few insects that sting, the most common of which are bees and wasps. Flying stinging insects include:
- Yellowjackets
- Carpenter bees
- Bumblebees
- Paper-nest wasps
- Honey bees
- Hornets
- Horseflies
- Flannel moths
Beyond bees and wasps, there are also other bugs that sting. While some people think only flying insects sting, this is a common mistake. There are plenty of non-flying insects that sting as well, as you’ll see below:
- Fire ants
- Tarantulas
- Bullet ants
- Lice
- Cimex
You likely won’t come in contact with the majority of stinging bugs, but anything could happen. It helps to know which bugs sting so you can give them their space.
Why Do Certain Bugs Sting?
The most common reason that certain bugs sting is for protection.
Bugs have a hard time defending themselves from predators — especially larger predators. Stinging is their way of showing potential predators that they mean business. Some bugs, like scorpions, even have poison stings that will outright kill predators that choose to mess with them.
If a stinging bug is threatened, it won’t hesitate to sting you. If you want to avoid getting stung, avoid aggravating the bug.
Is a Sting the Same as a Bite?
A bug sting and a bug bite, while they may feel similar, are two different things.
Bites happen when the skin is pierced, typically by teeth or pincers. Bites may itch and get red, but nothing is transferred through the bite. This is the main difference between a bite and a sting.
A sting happens when a bug pierces you with an appendage other than their teeth. Stings transfer toxic venom into your system, whereas bites do not. That doesn’t mean all stings are deadly — usually the venom isn’t enough to cause more than a mild reaction like itchiness and redness — but there’s always a transfer of venom in stings.
That’s why some people have bad, sometimes deadly allergic reactions to things like bee stings. Their bodies react extremely to the venom.
Do Wasps Lose Their Stingers When They Sting?
You’ve probably heard that bees lose their stingers and die after stinging someone. This is true — when a bee stings, it loses part of its digestive tract, nerves, and muscles, killing it. But do bees and wasps die after stinging?
The short answer is no — wasps can sting someone as much as they want. Wasps have smooth, retractable stingers, unlike bees which have barbed ends on their stingers. The barbs on a bees stinger get stuck, causing it to detach, whereas wasps don’t suffer from this issue.
How to Deal With a Bug Sting
If you get stung by a bee and the stinger gets stuck in your skin, you can remove it to reduce swelling and pain.
Use clean tweezers to remove the stinger, then wash the area with soap and water. If you’re mildly allergic, take an antihistamine or allergy medication. If you have a severe reaction, head to the hospital or get someone to bring you to the hospital — waste no time.
If you know you’re allergic and have an Epi-pen, use it. You should still go to the hospital afterward, though, just in case.
In most cases, if you’re not allergic, your sting will stop hurting in a few days. Most people can tough it out, keep the sting clean, and get over it naturally. Avoid itching and aggravating the sting.
Where Do Stinging Bugs Live?
On a global scale, stinging bugs live just about everywhere that isn’t covered in snow.
Stinging bugs are more common in places with warmer climates, as bugs can’t live very well in cold climates and snow. That’s why there are so few bees and ants in the winter months.
Where Do Stinging Bugs Set up Their Nests?
Just as there are many different stinging bugs, there are many different locations where they build their homes.
Wasps, like paper wasps and hornets, build their nests under porches, around pools, and in dark areas of the home. They can build their nests just about anywhere they want, including trees.
Bees tend to build their hives in trees, but can also build them under eaves, and in most places wasps can. Bumblebees have also been known to build their nests underground, as well as yellow jackets! European hornets and honeybees tend to build their nests in trees and hollow logs.
Fire ants build their homes underground, just like any other ant. Scorpions like to hide in dark places like wood and rock piles.
So, there are lots of places stinging bugs like to build their homes. This can make it hard to find stinging insects in the case of an infestation.
What Do I Do If I Have Stinging Pests in My Home?
Stinging bugs are some of the most stress-inducing insects that can infest your home.
Whether it’s wasps, fire ants, or bees, you need to get those stinging bugs out of your home fast. The best way to do that is by calling a trusted pest control service. They know how to drive pests from your home by any means necessary, and keep them out.
This blog explains what you should do when you have stinging bugs and other pests in your home.
Know Thy Enemy
When it comes to stinging bugs, it’s best to know as much about them as possible to best deal with them. The more you know, the more prepared you’ll be to identify them, exterminate them, and give them the space they need.
cx For more travel, wellness, and lifestyle pieces like this check out the rest of the blog.