This might sting a little: A guide to Washington's stinging critters
It’s happened to all of us. One second you’re hiking, soaking in the restorative elements of Washington’s great outdoors when all of a sudden — ouch! You’re stung by a belligerent insect. You stayed on trail, were minding your business and wouldn’t harm a fly, so why did you get stung? And what stung you? Should you be worried?
Fret not, friend. We have answers for you about the stinging insects of Washington, how to remedy stings and more.
*What we will not be covering: snakes, spiders, jellies and plants*
Washington has its fair share of stinging critters, but which are friend and which are foe? Photo of a bee (not a wasp!) by Indy Rice-Narusch.
Friend or foe?
Melissophobia, also sometimes called apiphobia, is a fear of bees. Getting stung can be a valid concern for your health, as we'll detail further in this article. But, before you create a buzz, it’s helpful to know which stinging insects are friendly and which ones to avoid.
Foes
While they might be friends to the ecosystem, they can be foes to trail users.
Wasps
Wasps are narrow-waisted insects that sting. They can be social, or solitary (although solitary wasps rarely sting). Keep in mind that wasps and bees are not the same, although they are both members of the insect order Hymenoptera.
Wasps love to scavenge human food, and their aggressive feeding habits can become a serious nuisance for hikers picnicking on trail or cooking at a campground. Here are some different types of wasps you might encounter in Washington:
Yellowjackets
A type of predatory wasp, yellowjackets are about ½-inch in length, are yellow and black and prefer subterranean nests. They tend to be a bit more aggressive than hornets and other wasps. They can sting repeatedly.
Hornets
Also in the wasp family, hornets are about ¾-inch long and are predominantly black and white or pale yellow. They can sting repeatedly.
Identifying the stinging critter is the first step in understanding if it's friend or foe. Photo by Tressa Shields
Murder hornets
The northern giant hornet, also known as the “murder hornet,” is an invasive species in Washington. They were first found in northwest Washington and British Columbia in the fall of 2019. Since 2022, no murder hornets have been detected in the U.S. Although they’re not known for attacking people or pets, they can sting repeatedly and contain venom more toxic than that of a common honeybee. The name “murder hornet” comes from their ability to decimate beehives.
Murder hornets are black and yellow and are the largest known species of hornet in the world. If you believe you see one, please take a photo and send information to the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
(some) Ants
There aren’t any true ants that will sting you in Washington, but there is a lookalike. The western velvet ant, also known as the “cow killer,” is a wingless wasp with a nasty sting. They’re covered in black and red or orange hairs. Only the wingless females can sting, the winged males cannot. Their sting is particularly painful, and they can sting repeatedly.
Although they don’t technically sting you, there are several ants that have harmful bites. Carpenter ants, velvety tree ants, European fire ants and thatching ants have painful bites that can result in swelling and raised skin. Some ants can spray a formic acid, akin to a venom, when they bite that worsens the effects.
Friends
Honey bees
Unlike wasps, who are happy to eat meat and sugar fruits alike, bees eat nectar and pollen. This makes them among the world’s most crucial pollinators, and without them, human agriculture would greatly suffer.
Honey bees are docile unless provoked. Also, they can only sting once — their stinger detaches upon impact, killing the bee shortly thereafter.
Bees aren't just in your garden — they love wildflowers in the backcountry, too! Photo by Jay Galvin
Bumble bees
The larger, hairier cousin of the honey bee, bumble bees are typically darker and can sting multiple times without dying. Their nests are typically embedded in wood or underground, and their colonies have fewer individuals than honey bees.
Like honey bees, they are docile unless provoked.
For more info on bee and wasp identification, we recommend checking out the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides.
When and where?
Bees and wasps are most active from spring through fall. You’re most likely to have an encounter with a hornet in the backcountry in the peak summer months, from late July through early September.
You’re most likely to encounter them when hiking through heavily wooded areas, urban and rural alike. If a wasp comes near you, don’t swat: it could cause the insect to alert its friends by releasing a chemical pheromone, which could make them more aggressive. If you see a nest or hear a loud buzzing, immediately head for a safer spot down trail.
- Know the difference between poison and venom
Getting stung
Ouch! You’ve been stung. Now what? Follow these steps to assess and treat your sting:
Assess
- Can you identify what stung you? This will inform your next steps. Different insects have different stigs and temperament. You might be allergic to one sting but not another. And a bee sting may take an extra step of treatment to remove the stinger.
- Is the culprit still alive and able to sting you? Does the culprit have friends? Ensure you’re safe before beginning treatment.
Remove the stinger (if stung by bee)
- DO NOT grab or pull at a bee’s stinger: pinching it can inject more venom. Instead, remove it by scraping with a fingernail or credit card as quickly as possible.
Sanitize
- Wash the affected area with soap and water.
Monitor
- Most bee stings will be painful for a few hours, but might be swollen or red for a few days. Seek medical attention immediately if you develop symptoms of an allergic reaction (more below).
Take over the counter drugs if necessary
- Pain medications can help with discomfort and antihistamines are great for treating allergies.
What if I’m allergic?
Allergy symptoms can look different person-to-person, but can be life-threatening. Symptoms include breathing difficulty, swelling of the throat or tongue, dizziness, hives and other skin afflictions. In some cases, bee stings can cause anaphylactic shock, which must be treated by an emergency epinephrine auto-injector (popular brands are EpiPen and Auvi-Q). If you experience extreme symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
If you or your hiking partner are allergic to bees, it’s crucial to carry an epinephrine auto-injector on trail. They’re essentially small, protected syringes with a concealed needle that will inject a dose of potentially life-saving medication. The epinephrine will counter your body’s allergic response, stabilize your blood pressure and open airways. Even after administration of an epinephrine auto-injector, seek medical attention immediately.
If you’re concerned you might be allergic, contact your health provider and ask about being tested for allergies so you can be prepared on trail. If you are allergic, be sure to acquire and properly learn how to administer your epinephrine auto-injector.
Be safe, buzz off and happy trails!