Are you a swatter or a cringer? Flying yellow insects buzzing around our heads usually make even the most stoic of us react in one way or another. It seems it's a rare person who doesn't flinch, squat or contort their body to avoid contact. Don't let your fear of being stung rule you-most of those flying nuisances are harmless, only stinging when their colonies are threatened. Keep yourself stinger-free by knowing which flying insects pose the biggest threat and how to avoid getting stung.
Bees
Honey Bees are nature's insect gardeners-small, hairy, honey-colored insects that pollinate more than half of all fruit and vegetable crops and prey on other pests which are harmful to those crops. Honey bees get their sustenance from pollen and nectar and in return, they contribute greatly to our own food supply. Not generally concerned with inflicting stings, they have been known to do so when provoked or threatened but overall, they don't have a lot of motivation for stinging-their stingers are barbed and the act of stinging leaves their poison sac imbedded in their victim and they die as a result.
Bumble bees are recognized by their black and yellow banded body hairs, although some may be orange, red or even solid black. They appear fuzzy and soft as a result of their hair (called pile) but can be differentiated from honeybees by a bare area on their hind legs used to transport pollen (this area is hairy in other bees). Bumble bees also help pollinate crops and gardens, but live at higher altitudes and in smaller colonies than honey bees. They are not aggressive stingers but can sting repeatedly if provoked, as their stingers are not barbed and remain intact after stinging.
Wasps
Yellow Jackets are familiar to most people and are easily recognized by their narrow waists and bright yellow abdomens with black stripes. Often confused with bees, they are known to be aggressive and sting more people than any other type of wasp or bee. Yellow Jackets feed on other insects and are most aggressive in late summer when their food supply begins to dwindle. You are most likely to encounter them scavenging around garbage cans and picnic food. Unlike honey bees, they can sting repeatedly without any adverse affect to themselves-their stingers remain intact after stinging.
Paper wasps derive their name from their hives which are constructed from dead wood fibers, plant stems and saliva, and look as if they are made from grey paper. They are not aggressive like yellow jackets but are certainly capable of stinging when provoked and can produce painful stings. Their appearance is distinct from yellow jackets, as they are primarily dark brown with yellow markings on their heads and thorax.
The Baldfaced Hornet also builds hives that resemble grey paper. But their nests however, are notably larger than those of other wasps. Black and white in color, hornets are built more sturdily than most wasps, and rarely sting unless seriously disturbed - and even then, it is a rare occurrence.
Treating stings
Whether by wasp, bee, or hornet, stings by these insects usually result in localized swelling and pain, although for some, an allergic and potentially fatal reaction can occur. For most people, the discomfort disappears in a matter of hours and can be treated with topical lotions, antiseptic and oral antihistamines.