Which insects sting

Wasps are varied in color shades of brown, yellow, and red ; when they fly their back legs dangle. They often live under the eaves of houses in honeycomb-shaped nests. They're rarely aggressive but they will sting if they're disturbed. Since they don't leave their stinger behind, wasps can sting someone multiple times.

Fire ants are found mainly in the South and Southeast parts of the United States. These nests can be flat in sandy areas or as tall as 18 inches in moist areas. Fire ants are most likely to sting if a person steps on their nest.

Sterile "pseudopustules" can form where fire ants have stung and should be left intact. Opening up these pseudopustules can increase risk of infection. Yellowjackets, a type of wasp, are the most aggressive of the stinging insects.

They live in nests built into the ground or in structures on the ground. Yellowjackets are scavengers and are commonly found around trashcans, dumpsters, and at picnics. They often crawl into open cans of soda or other sugary drinks and then sting when a person takes a swig. Since they're scavengers, their stings sometimes can cause a skin infection. Unlike honeybees, most yellowjackets don't leave behind a stinger. Even so, it is important to look for and remove a stinger, clean the skin thoroughly, and apply a first aid cream like Bacitracin or Neosporin.

If you notice increasing redness, swelling, drainage, or develop a fever after a few days, call your physician. Yellow-faced and white-faced hornets live in trees and shrubs. Hornets will attack when provoked if disturbed by the vibration from a lawnmower, for example. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.

National Library of Medicine. Reviewed September 21, Merck Manual Consumer Version. May 23, A Bee Stung Me! Merck Manual Professional Version. Insect Stings. Revised July American Academy of Pediatrics.

Bee or Yellow Jacket Sting. Use tick products on pets to prevent them from bites. Use insect repellent when spending time outdoors camping, hiking, etc. Repellents that contain picaridin KBR or oil of lemon eucalyptus p-menthane 3,8-diol or PMD are effective against mosquitoes. Follow the instructions carefully. Check what ages the product is appropriate for, and don't overuse it — using more than is needed won't provide any extra protection.

Reapply insect repellent according to the directions after swimming. When you or your kids are in wooded areas, tuck clothes in and keep as covered up as possible. Tuck pants into socks and shirts into pants. Wear shoes and socks when walking on grass, even it's just for a minute. Bees and wasps can sting unprotected feet. Wear gloves when gardening. Learn how to stop the bites from itching. Flea bites and bedbug bites are both treated topically, but there are some differences.

Learn how to tell them apart. If you have swelling in just one eye or have found a spider in the area where you were bit, it's safe to assume a spider or similar bug is to blame. Most spider bites are harmless, and symptoms will go away after a few days. Seek immediate medical care if you suspect the following. Learn how to safely and quickly remove a leech, as well as how to recognize a leech and when to seek immediate medical treatment. Termites feed off wood and live in dark environments.

A noticeable bug bite is more likely to be from a different insect, but here's what you can look…. If you share a bed with your pets, you may find black specks called "flea dirt. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Bug Bites and Stings. Medically reviewed by Cameron White, M. Pictures of different bites and stings Types of insect bites Causes Risk factors Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Outlook Prevention We include products we think are useful for our readers.

Pictures of different bites and stings. Share on Pinterest. Share on Pinterest Image by: Felisov. Types of biting and stinging insects. What causes reactions to bites and stings? Who is at risk for bites and stings? What are the symptoms of a bad reaction to bites and stings? Diagnosing bites and stings. Treating bites and stings. Tips to avoid bites and stings. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.

First Aid for Bites and Stings. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M.