There are certain characteristics that can help to distinguish between the various types of stinging insects which include hornets, yellow jackets, honeybees/bumblebees, wasps and fire ants. Fire ants typically build nests in mounds of dirt and are primarily found in the southern parts of the US, though they are slowly moving north. They typically cause sterile pustules which is different than the other stinging insects. Yellow Jacket stings are the most common, often time occurring without provocation. Yellow jackets have nests that are usually located underground but occasionally in walls and in cracks in building cement. Hornets are usually larger than yellow jackets, with nests that are typically football shaped and found high above ground on branches of trees, in shrubbery or the hollows of trees.  Paper wasp nests are usually made of paper like material that forms a circular comb that opens downward. The nests are usually located under eaves, behind shutters, in shrubs or woodpiles. Honeybees and bumbles bees are non- aggressive stinging insects that will only sting when provoked and most commonly will leave a stinger. Africanized honeybees, aka “killer bees” are more aggressive, may sting in swarms and are found in the Southwestern US.