Common types of stinging insects include paper wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, mud daubers, and bees. Paper wasps have long legs, thin waists, and are dark brown with yellow markings. Yellow jackets are black with yellow markings, have a thin waist, and wings as long as their body. Hornets like the European hornet are reddish-brown with yellow stripes, while bald-faced hornets are black with white markings. Mud daubers have a very thin, black or blue body, sometimes with yellow markings. Honeybees are orangish-brown or black and have a distinctive barrel-shaped body. Stinging insects build characteristic nests that can aid in identification. Paper wasps construct umbrella-shaped, papery nests with exposed hexagonal cells. Hornets build teardrop-shaped, papery nests with one entry point. Yellow jackets make papery nests with a single entry, often underground. Mud daubers construct unique cylinder-shaped tubes out of mud.

Most stings from bees, wasps, and hornets cause pain, swelling, redness, and itching around the sting site. However, some people may experience a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, with symptoms like hives, swelling of the throat and tongue, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening if not treated promptly with epinephrine. Even people without known allergies can have severe reactions if stung numerous times. Scratching stings can lead to skin infections. Stings inside the mouth or throat are dangerous due to swelling that can block airways. Seek emergency medical care for any signs of allergic reaction, if stung many times, or if stung in the mouth, nose, or throat area. People with insect sting allergies should carry epinephrine and wear a medical alert bracelet.