06/23/2026
Poisonous Ingredient
Bee, wasp, hornet, and yellow jacket stings contain a substance called venom. The venom from each type of insect contains several chemicals. Bee and hornet venom contain histamine.
Of these insects, Africanized bee colonies are very sensitive to being disturbed. When they are disturbed, they respond faster and in greater numbers than other types of bees. They are also much more likely to sting than European bees.
You are also at risk for stings if you disturb a wasp, hornet, or yellow jacket nest.
Where Found
Bees can be found all over North America where flowers bloom. There are 4000 native bee species in the United States. While honey bees live in hives, 70% of all bees live in the ground in nests.
Wasps, hornets and yellow jackets are also found all over North America in woodlands, meadows, orchards, parks, playgrounds, and cemeteries. Yellow jackets mostly build their nests below the ground surface. Hornets and wasps usually build their large nests in trees or bushes as well as manmade structures such as roof overhangs, house walls and attics.
Symptoms
Bee, wasp, hornet, and yellow jacket venom can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Below are symptoms of a bee, wasp, hornet, or yellow jacket sting in different parts of the body.
EYES, EARS, NOSE, AND THROAT
Swelling in the throat, lips, tongue, and mouth *
HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS
Rapid heart rate
Severe decrease in blood pressure*
Collapse (shock) *
LUNGS
Difficulty breathing *
SKIN
Hives *
Itching
Swelling and pain at site of the sting
STOMACH AND INTESTINES
Abdominal cramping
Diarrhea
Nausea and vomiting
* These symptoms are due to an allergic reaction, and not venom.
This article describes the effects of a sting from a bee, wasp, hornet, or yellow jacket.