Yellow jackets alone are responsible for about one-half of all human insect stings. The only purpose of the sting, which is a defense mechanism, is to inflict pain. Yellow jackets are easily provoked and will attack in force if their nest is disturbed. Unlike honey bees, yellow jackets can sting more than once.
Only female bees and wasps can sting.. Unlike bees, these female wasps have the ability to sting a target multiple times because their stinger does not fall off after use. If yellow jackets seem more aggressive than bees or hornets, it's for a good reason.
Yellow jackets have a smooth stinger, so they can sting more than once and the sting can. The abandoned nest is often destroyed by birds searching for food.
