# How often have you been stung by a bee/wasp/hornet? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 19, 2017, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291 "2017-10-19T15:39:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291/41 "2017-10-20T01:06:56Z")
Maybe two dozen of yellow jacket stings over the years. They get me 6 or 8 at a time when I disturb a nest. Dozens of honey bee stings, once on the eyelid. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291/42 "2017-10-20T01:18:08Z")
I had never been stung till this past summer at age 47. Took the mower too close to a nest and one got me in the leg. Then, not even two weeks later, I disturbed the same nest and got stung 6x. 3 in each leg. While the stings themselves were bearable at the time I found the itching for the next week to be the horrible part. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291/43 "2017-10-20T01:28:49Z")
Maybe four or five paper wasp stings in my teens (whatever the common species in north central Puerto Rico); also a few encounters with the caterpillar of the endemic _Megalopyge krugii_ flannel moth, which has some wicked chemical protection, you only touch that thing on purpose once. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291/44 "2017-10-20T02:33:00Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > and it’s always yellowjackets. Ill-tempered shits. That they are. They’ve gotten me a few times over the years. Once got one stuck in my hair, stinging my scalp. I started keeping honeybees in elementary school and didn’t get stung by them until my 30s. But when you’re picking up stay hives and swarms, sometimes you get something other than the docile Italian types we usual breed or mailorder. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291/45 "2017-10-20T02:49:51Z")
I have been stung so many times, I can’t even remember. Qag. any advice as to the best treatment of said stings? Also can you become allergic at any time, after many stings? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291/46 "2017-10-20T03:52:10Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I have been stung so many times, I can’t even remember. Qag. any advice as to the best treatment of said stings? Also can you become allergic at any time, after many stings? Sorry did your name wrong, Qad. ,Please forgive my error! ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291/47 "2017-10-20T03:58:15Z")
3 Different times. Two when I was very young. One was a fat bee (not sure if a bumble) with green and black on it, second time, I got stung on the lip by drinking an uncovered pop/soda sitting outside. Third time, this time in my twenties from a wasp. This was a one in a million thing. I got out of the shower and was grabbing a towel, as my arm was lifted up and I seen it go ass first into my left bicep. Windows were closed, the only idea I can get for how it got in, was that I went to an orchard and got some apples and it must’ve took a ride all the way back with the apples and was really pissed off at me for taking it from its home. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291/48 "2017-10-20T04:41:10Z")
Six events in you include wasps along with bees. Two (one bee and one wasp) were massive numbers of stings. One was a nest of wasps in a gate that attacked me as I tried to open it; had to visit a hospital for that one. The other, bees, was a nest of ground bees I accidentally stepped on. I managed with some serious first aide but the things followed me about 1/5 mile and were stinging me though three layers of wool. I am not allergic but my MD says that tests indicate I am now “sensitive” and should probably seek medical attention for anything more than 2 stings at a time. ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291/49 "2017-10-20T10:49:13Z")
Twice (I’m 42). The first time was when I was about 8. We had got off a boat in Southern France after both my brother and I got sea sick. We had to walk 10 km to get back to our hotel. It was a really hot day, almost unbearably so. And then, a bee landed on my cap. I tried to wave it away but of course got stung. I’m sure my parents were pleased with our little outing :rolleyes: . The second time was just a couple of years ago. I was waiting for the bus when I felt something caught in my hair, brushed it off and got stung. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291/50 "2017-10-20T11:17:38Z")
I’ve been stung a handful of times. Its been at least thirty years since I upset a bee or wasp. A horse fly bit me this summer. I hate them. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291/51 "2017-10-20T11:25:02Z")
I’m 56, and have been stung… maybe 5 times in my entire life. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291/52 "2017-10-20T11:32:03Z")
Once when I was 10yo, in my left thumb. Bee. Dad told me I should be sorry for the bee: I’d scared her so much she commited suicide against my thumb! It still hurt a surprising amount, but anything that got me to start digging into the Encyclopedia was a good distraction strategy. ---
**Author:** ![divemaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/divemaster/32/78_2.png) [@divemaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/divemaster)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291/53 "2017-10-20T16:59:37Z")
Yellow jacket got me when I was about 5. On the wrist. OWOW for br’er Yellow Jacket. Twice by wasps: once on the ankle when I was a teenager–just walking on the sidewalk next to some tall grass. And then a couple of years ago in the rain forest in Puerto Rico, on the tip of my finger. OWOWOW for Mr. Wasp. I’ve also been stung a time or two (unwittingly) by honeybees. Bit of a inconvenience with the stinger. But was I the only kid who played with bees to get them to sting you? In second or third grade, it was a “thing” for my buddies and me to catch bees during recess, in the clover areas. We’d shake them up in our hands and get them pissed and disoriented and then wait for them to sting us and watch the stinger come out. I recall it being not much more than a pin-prick feeling. Great fun. For us, I mean. For the bees, not so much I guess. Now I feel bad. Poor bees. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291/54 "2017-10-20T17:13:59Z")
Probably between five and ten times, can’t say for sure. I distinctly remember one sting in particular, when I was about 22-23, when a bee stung me on the elbow. It was literally the worst pain I’ve ever been in. ---
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291/55 "2017-10-20T18:03:10Z")
I do find it interesting how people react to the stings differently. I got stung between the toes once by a yellow jacket. It really really hurt. Incapacitating pain for 45 minutes. Moderate pain for a day. Mild pain when walking for a week. An area the size of a silver dollar turned purple. My dad also got stung. He said it was uncomfortable and was basically fine in an hour. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291/56 "2017-10-20T18:07:05Z")
> [@Hermitian](#): > > I do find it interesting how people react to the stings differently. I got stung between the toes once by a yellow jacket. > > It really really hurt. Incapacitating pain for 45 minutes. Moderate pain for a day. Mild pain when walking for a week. An area the size of a silver dollar turned purple. > > My dad also got stung. He said it was uncomfortable and was basically fine in an hour. > > 😕 I think there are a number of different wasp species under the umbrella of “yellowjacket.” German wasp, Eastern yellowjacket, various hornets, etc. I’ve never really found out which particular ones are most common in my area; they’re the type which build small-ish paper nests in walls and on things like window and door frames. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291/57 "2017-10-20T20:02:16Z")
I was born and raised in the southeastern US, where bee stings are a fact of life - perhaps the most common childhood injury when I was growing up. I have been stung on more occasions than I can count. At least 3 of those occasions involved 10 or more stings. The pain from an individual sting is not overwhelming, but when they gang up on you it’s a whole different story! ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291/58 "2017-10-20T20:20:39Z")
Four times by honey bees, once by a yellow jacket. The last honey bee sting triggered an anaphylaxis reaction. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291/59 "2017-10-20T20:42:35Z")
Maybe 5 or 6 times in 60 years, most recently last summer when a honey bee stung me on the throat. I think it was going for my jugular. I was bitten by a wasp once. It flew in the car window and landed on my naked shoulder. I felt something pinching me and looked over, and there was a wasp, gnawing on me. I have no idea why it didn’t sting me. My favorite wasp story comes from my parents, though, from when they were Peace Corps volunteers in Paraguay. They had returned from a trip to Asuncion to their health post/living quarters in the boondocks and discovered that wasps had built a nest inside. They noticed that the wasps were going in and out through one small hole in the wall, so they stood outside the health post, and as each wasp crawled through the hole, they crushed it with their thumbs. They did this until the entire nest had been wiped out, and never got stung. ---
**Author:** ![jerez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c68b51/32.png) [@jerez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerez)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291/60 "2017-10-22T11:28:20Z")
I’ve been stung three or four times in my life and have spent a fair amount of time outdoors (not in the city). True story: A young girl gets a phone call from her little brother, who’s just been stung by a bee. She calms him down and asks where the bee stung him. She gets more serious and asks the same question. She starts getting flustered, repeats the question a few more times and, practically dancing in frustration, she finally spits out, “No! What part of your body?” Her brother had been responding, “In the kitchen!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-have-you-been-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-hornet/799291.md?page=4)