Can Yellowjackets Sting You Through a Bee Suit?

TL;DR

Yes, yellowjackets can sting through a bee suit, as Coyote Peterson experienced close to 20 stings during a test. After disturbing a nest, they will aggressively follow a person for at least 150 yards. Even when removed from their nest, yellowjackets remain aggressive, delivering immediate stings when provoked.

Transcript

• [Coyote] The entire nest is under this ground structure. Whoa, look at that! (laughs) (yellow jackets buzzing) (screams) (fast dramatic music) You can see the swarm is pretty intense at this point. Ouch! I have a feeling this is probably going to be a little painful. I'm Coyote Peterson, and I'm about to enter the angry yellow jacket box. (scream... Read More

Key Insights

• 😚 Yellow jackets can sting through a bee suit, as demonstrated by Coyote Peterson's experience with close to 20 bites.
• 💛 After disturbing a yellow jacket nest, the insects will follow a person for a considerable distance, indicating their determination to protect their home.
• 🤗 Yellow jackets remain aggressive even when removed from their nest, as seen when Coyote Peterson placed his hand inside the box.
• 😷 The pain and swelling caused by yellow jacket stings can be intense and may require medical attention.
• 💛 It is important to avoid disturbing yellow jacket nests and to run away if confronted by them.
• ❤️‍🩹 The aggressive behavior of yellow jackets in the fall is due to their nearing the end of their life cycle.
• 🤗 Coyote Peterson's decision to put his hand in a box filled with yellow jackets was a foolish and dangerous move.

Questions & Answers

Q: Can yellow jackets sting through a bee suit?

Yes, Coyote Peterson experienced close to 20 stings while wearing a bee suit, indicating that yellow jackets can penetrate the fabric.

Q: How far will yellow jackets chase a person after their nest is disturbed?

Yellow jackets followed Coyote Peterson for at least 150 yards, demonstrating their persistence in attacking potential threats.

Q: Are yellow jackets still aggressive after being moved away from their nest?

Yes, even after being placed in a plastic box away from their nest, the yellow jackets remained aggressive and stung Coyote Peterson when he put his hand inside the box.

Q: Why are yellow jackets more aggressive in the fall?

Yellow jackets become more aggressive in the fall as they approach the end of their life cycle and are no longer focused on feeding their young.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Coyote Peterson tests whether yellow jackets can sting through a bee suit, enduring close to 20 bites in the process.

• After disturbing a yellow jacket nest, he walks away and finds that the insects continue to follow him for at least 150 yards.

• He puts his hand into a box filled with angry yellow jackets and experiences immediate stinging and pain.