No. 028 · insect · Risk: Moderate
Yellowjacket
Vespula spp.
In season · SeptemberSouthwestSoutheastNortheast / Mid-AtlanticMidwest / PlainsMountain WestPacific WestAlaska
- Field tell
- Bright yellow-and-black wasp; nests in the ground or in cavities. Attracted to food and drinks at camps.
- Why it matters
- Multiple stings and allergic reactions can be life-threatening. Ground nests are easy to step on.
- Season
- Peak late summer and early fall when colonies are largest and most aggressive.
STING
If you're stung by a bee or wasp
- Move away from the nest or swarm — more stings may follow.
- If a stinger is in the skin (honey bee), scrape it out with a card; don't pinch the venom sac.
- Wash the site, apply a cold pack, and watch for spreading swelling.
- Call 911 for trouble breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, dizziness, or hives beyond the sting — these are signs of anaphylaxis. Use epinephrine if prescribed.
Not medical advice. Call 911 or Poison Control 1-800-222-1222.
Related insects
- Africanized Honey Bee — Looks like a European honey bee; the difference is behavior — large numbers defending a nest aggressively.