Sting Victim | See What Happens When Yellow Jackets And Bees Sting You

Jonathan Simkins

Nobody wants to be stung by a bee or yellow jacket, but we all get stung at one time or another. Backyard barbeques, soccer games, schoolyards, and well anything outdoors can lead to a sting.

Every wonder what is actually happening? 

Well, here are the ins and outs (pun intended) of the typical bee sting.

Bees have a barbed stinger that gets embedded into your skin and remains there until removed. The venom sac continues to pulsate after the bee has pulled away continuing to discharge more venom into your body. 500 stings can kill a typical person. For those with unfortunate allergies, one sting can be deadly.

If stung, remove the stinger by scraping it away. If you squeeze the stinger, it will pump more venom into your arm. Ice the arm immediately and take Benadryl. Always consult a doctor before taking over-the-counter medicine.

Yellow Jackets have a needle-like stinger and can sting you multiple times in multiple spots. 5 to 10 yellow jackets can leave 100s of stings all over your body. As the yellow jackets sting you they release an alarm pheromone signaling other yellow jackets to attack. If you find yourself getting stung, get to an enclosed area as quickly as possible. Don’t jump into a pool, the hive will continue to swarm and call reinforcements.

AND THE BEST WAY TO AVOID GETTING STUNG IS…

Prevention.

Remove nests as soon as you see them. Don’t let small nests become big nests. And make sure you have a professional pest prevention company treating your property regularly.

If you need help with bees or any other pest problems, call Insect IQ (855) 930-2847.

By Jackson Simkins September 8, 2026
Hurricanes push pests indoors fast. Learn what to watch for and how to storm-proof your Tampa Bay home before and after.
By Jackson Simkins September 4, 2026
Fall armyworms can chew through a Tampa Bay lawn in days. Learn how to spot them and stop the damage before it spreads.
By Jackson Simkins August 31, 2026
Confused a giant wasp for a yellow jacket? Learn how to tell yellow jackets and cicada killers apart in Tampa Bay yards.
By Jackson Simkins August 28, 2026
Some fuzzy Florida caterpillars pack a painful sting. Learn which ones to avoid and how to keep your family comfortable outdoors.
By Jackson Simkins August 24, 2026
Seeing long-legged spiders in your home? Learn what cellar spiders are, whether they’re dangerous, the truth behind the “daddy long legs” myth, and how to reduce them.
By Jackson Simkins August 17, 2026
Florida's bat exclusion window opened on August 15. If you have bats in your home, now is the only time to legally remove them. Here's what you need to know.
By Jackson Simkins August 14, 2026
Found a large, fast-moving spider in your Tampa Bay home? It's probably a wolf spider — not a brown recluse. Here's how to tell the difference for sure.
By Jackson Simkins August 10, 2026
Yellow jackets are especially active in late summer. Learn how to spot a nest, why they’re dangerous, and what to do if you find one in your yard.
By Jackson Simkins August 7, 2026
Finding millipedes all over your garage after it rains? Here's exactly why it happens and what Tampa Bay homeowners can do to stop it for good.
By Jackson Simkins August 3, 2026
That fuzzy red "ant" in your yard isn't an ant — it's a wasp with one of the most painful stings in Florida. Learn what velvet ants are and what to do.