Not only can wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets sting, but they have powerful and painful bites. They can sink their powerful mandibles into victims and simultaneously sting them, multiple times. Unlike honeybees who lose their barbed stingers and die after the encounter, these nasty pests have smooth stingers that remain intact and can be used over and over. Furthermore, these striped stingers have acutely painful venom that they inject with each stab into their victim. Because of these devastating attacks that wasps are capable of, they were actually utilized as natural weapons in warfare. In fact, in 332 BC during the Siege on Tyre by Alexander the Great’s army, wasp/hornet nests were hurled towards enemy ships in catapults.

Not only are attacks by these pests highly painful, but if you have an allergy to their venom, the attacks can even be deadly. As such, it is extremely important to try to avoid a confrontation with stinging pests. Try to be aware of where wasp nests, hornet nests, and beehives are and avoid getting too close. Wasps, hornets, and some species of bees are notoriously territorial and can become aggressive if you simply get close to their hive. Even docile bees can become aggressive if they think their hive is in danger. If you find a hive near your home or business, steer clear of it and call in the professionals at Pointe Pest right away.