Bug FAQWhich bugs around the house sting?
These can sting. 25 house and yard pests on Bug FAQ, most commonly seen first. Each line is quoted from that bug's page and its sources.
Western Honey BeeApis melliferaCan stingWestern honey bees can sting people, causing temporary pain and swelling.
Common Eastern Bumble BeeBombus impatiensCan stingThey can sting, usually causing only temporary pain, though a small number of people may have allergic reactions.
Source: UC IPM
Eastern Carpenter BeeXylocopa virginicaCan stingFemale Eastern carpenter bees can sting if they are handled, while males cannot sting.
Source: Wikipedia, Penn State Extension
European Paper WaspPolistes dominulaCan stingThey rarely sting people, but when they do it can hurt and sometimes cause allergic reactions.
Source: UC IPM
European HornetVespa crabroCan stingEuropean hornets can sting if stepped on or grabbed, but the sting is only as painful as a honey bee and usually resolves in a few hours.
Source: Wikipedia, Penn State Extension
Northern Paper WaspPolistes fuscatusCan stingThe female northern paper wasp can deliver a painful sting to people.
Source: Wikipedia, cals.cornell.edu
Bald-faced HornetDolichovespula maculataCan stingThey will sting repeatedly if their nest is disturbed and can spray venom into a person’s eyes, causing pain and temporary blindness.
German YellowjacketVespula germanicaCan stingGerman yellowjackets can sting people, especially if disturbed while foraging.
Source: UC IPM
Yellow-legged Mud-dauber WaspSceliphron caementariumCan stingStings are rare and not medically important to people.
Source: Wikipedia, ask.ifas.ufl.edu, University of Minnesota Extension
Eastern YellowjacketVespula maculifronsCan stingThey can sting people repeatedly, causing painful stings.
Source: Wikipedia, hgic.clemson.edu, animaldiversity.org, ask.ifas.ufl.edu
Red Imported Fire AntSolenopsis invictaCan stingPeople and pets can be seriously affected by repeated stings that cause burning, swelling and sometimes life-threatening allergic reactions.
Metric Paper WaspPolistes metricusCan stingThey rarely sting people, but a sting can cause pain and occasional allergic reactions.
Source: UC IPM
Yellow-legged HornetVespa velutinaCan stingStings can be dangerous to people and pets, especially those allergic to wasp venom.
Source: Wikipedia, site.extension.uga.edu
Io MothAutomeris ioCan stingThe Io moth caterpillars can sting people with painful venom from their spines.
Source: Wikipedia, hgic.clemson.edu
Eastern Cicada-killer WaspSphecius speciosusCan stingFemales can sting people if they are handled roughly, but the sting is usually mild.
Source: Wikipedia, ohioline.osu.edu, hgic.clemson.edu
Common Blue Mud-dauber WaspChalybion californicumCan stingStings are rare but possible.
Immigrant Pavement AntTetramorium immigransCan stingThey can sting people, but the sting is mild and generally harmless.
Source: Wikipedia, ask.ifas.ufl.edu
Western YellowjacketVespula pensylvanicaCan stingThey sting when disturbed near the nest or while foraging around food. The sting hurts, and some people have severe allergic reactions.
Southern YellowjacketVespula squamosaCan stingThey can sting repeatedly and the sting is painful.
Common Eastern Velvet AntDasymutilla occidentalisCan stingIts sting is very painful to people.
Source: Wikipedia, citybugs.tamu.edu, extension.msstate.edu, arthropod.uark.edu
Striped Bark ScorpionCentruroides vittatusCan stingStings cause sharp pain and local swelling but are rarely serious.
Source: Wikipedia, arthropod.uark.edu
Saddleback Caterpillar MothAcharia stimuleaCan stingThe saddleback caterpillar's spines sting, causing intense burning pain, sometimes nausea for a few hours, and a rash that can last several days.
Source: Wikipedia, hgic.clemson.edu
Organ-pipe Mud-dauber WaspTrypoxylon politumCan stingThey are very docile and will only sting if they are disturbed while foraging.
Southern Devil ScorpionVaejovis carolinianusCan stingThe southern devil scorpion can sting, causing a sharp pain that lasts about 15-20 minutes but is not medically serious.
Source: extension.msstate.edu, NC State Extension, entomology.ca.uky.edu
Tarantula hawkPepsis grossaCan stingFemale tarantula hawks can deliver a very painful sting to people.
Source: Wikipedia, extension.colostate.edu