Stinging insects primarily include wasps (paper wasps, yellowjackets, mud daubers), hornets (bald-faced hornets, European hornets), bees (honey bees, bumble bees, carpenter bees), and some ants (fire ants, harvester ants). Though not insects, scorpions also sting. All these creatures possess a stinger (modified ovipositor) connected to venom glands, which they use for defense or to subdue prey.

Honey bees are the most notable insects that can only sting once. Their stingers have backward-facing barbs that become embedded in human skin. When the bee flies away after stinging, part of its abdomen tears away with the stinger, resulting in the bee's death. Most other stinging insects, including wasps, hornets, yellowjackets, bumble bees, and ants, have smooth stingers that allow them to sting multiple times, making them particularly dangerous when defending their nests.

Several stinging insects build nests underground, including yellowjackets (particularly Eastern yellowjackets in abandoned rodent burrows), bumble bees (in abandoned rodent holes or under grass clippings), cicada killer wasps (in well-drained soil), digger bees (in individual burrows), harvester ants (with large underground colonies), and fire ants (with distinctive mounded nests). Ground-nesting insects can be particularly problematic because their nests may not be visible until accidentally disturbed by lawn mowing, gardening, or children playing, often triggering aggressive defensive behavior.

Professional exterminators use several techniques to eliminate stinging pests, including proper species identification, direct nest treatment with specialized insecticides or dusts, wearing protective equipment for safety, applying residual barriers to prevent new nests, using extension poles and specialized applicators for difficult-to-reach nests, safely removing nests after treatment, treating entry points and wall voids, and conducting follow-up inspections. Professional treatment is strongly recommended due to the risk of multiple stings and potential allergic reactions when attempting DIY control.

While DIY products are available, professional treatment is strongly recommended for stinging insects due to significant safety risks: disturbing nests can trigger aggressive defense, unknown allergies could make stings life-threatening, DIY methods often fail to completely eliminate colonies, and most homeowners lack the specialized protective gear and product knowledge for safe, effective treatment. Professionals can also locate and treat hidden nests and provide expertise on preventing future infestations. If attempting DIY control, always treat nests at night when insects are less active, wear protective clothing, and never attempt removal if you have known allergies.