“Oh no! It happened again this year…”
On August 2, 2026, I was taking part in a local community activity to clean an irrigation canal when a paper wasp stung my left wrist.
In fact, I have been stung by bees and wasps five times in just three years. This year, I was stung once by a paper wasp. In 2024 and 2025, I was stung four times by yellow hornets.
What makes this even more surprising is that all these incidents happened in places I visit in my daily life, such as my family home and my own house.
A Yellow Hornet Attacked My Head
The first time I was stung by a hornet was in September 2024. I was in the garden of my family home in Okuwa, watching yellow hornets flying in and out of a nest under the house.
Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my head.
I had not noticed the hornet flying back to its nest. It seemed to have stung me on the head. I quickly brushed my head with my hand, and the yellow hornet fell to the ground.
I told my wife what had happened. She immediately called the hospital and drove me there. We arrived at Nishi-Agatsuma Welfare Hospital about 30 minutes later.
My body felt hot, and the swelling was spreading. I was worried, and the doctor's questions seemed to take a very long time. The doctor carefully checked my symptoms and then gave me an injection.
Later, I learned that the injection was not a medicine to remove the venom itself. It was treatment to help control the allergic reaction and other symptoms.
Thanks to the proper medical care, my symptoms gradually improved.
My Battle with Yellow Hornets in the Attic
In 2024, yellow hornets built a large nest in the attic above the second floor of my family home in Okuwa.
I asked a professional company to remove it. The bill was 25,000 yen, which was certainly not cheap.
However, in 2025, the hornets built another large nest in exactly the same place. I thought it would be painful to pay the removal fee again, so I decided to remove the nest myself.
I borrowed a protective suit from the Nakanojo Town Health Center and bought two cans of strong insect spray. At 4:30 in the morning, I used a flashlight to make my way from the second-floor room onto the roof. I also used a sickle, and somehow I managed to remove the nest.
But I soon paid the price for trying to do it myself.
After finishing the job, I returned to the room and thought the danger was over. Just then, one hornet came into the room through a gap. I struggled with it and was stung on my right wrist.
Even though I thought I had removed the nest, one hornet was still around. My wrist swelled, but I decided that I would be fine and did not go to the hospital.
The following month, another nest appeared in a different part of the attic.
This time, I started my plan after 10 p.m. I put on several layers of clothing, including my ski wear, and wore goggles and a helmet. Leaning out from the second-floor balcony, I sprayed the nest directly above me again and again.
The liquid ran down and made it difficult to see through my goggles. I struggled in the darkness to finish the job.
⚠️ Important Warning
Looking back, I realize that wearing a protective suit or thick clothing does not guarantee safety. Please do not try to remove a hornet's nest yourself. Contact a professional pest-control company or ask your local government office for advice.
Four Stings from Yellow Hornets, and Three Visits to the Hospital
In total, I was stung by yellow hornets four times over two years. Three of those incidents required medical attention.
- First time: I was stung on the head at my family home. I went to Nishi-Agatsuma Welfare Hospital.
- Second time: I was stung on the arm behind my house. My wife called an ambulance, and I was taken to Sakura Hospital.
- Third time: I was stung beside my house. Because it was Sunday, I drove to the local fire station to ask which doctor was on duty. I then went to Sakura Hospital.
As of October 2026, no hornets have appeared at my family home in Okuwa this year. I am relieved for now, but there is no guarantee that they will stay away next year.
My Biggest Fear: A Hornet Hiding in the Laundry
My worst experience with a sting actually happened about 20 years ago.
One sunny, mild day, I brought in some laundry from outside. A wasp, probably a paper wasp, was hiding among the clothes. I did not notice it. The moment I put on one of the items, it stung my right arm.
The swelling was much worse than I expected. The next day, I had to go to Chosei Hospital in Naganohara Town for an IV treatment.
Since that painful experience, I have followed one simple rule.
👉 “Always shake out the laundry before bringing it inside.”
I still try to follow this rule today.
Bees and wasps are not found only in the mountains or in the grass. They can hide in laundry, under the eaves of a house, or in an attic. Danger can be much closer to us than we think.
Repeated Stings Can Be Dangerous. I Must Not Be Careless.
The danger of a wasp sting is not limited to pain and swelling.
After repeated stings, some people may develop an allergic reaction to the venom. In serious cases, this can lead to anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that may cause hives, difficulty breathing, or a dangerous drop in blood pressure. It can even be life-threatening.
Of course, the number of stings alone does not tell us how serious the next reaction will be. But there is no guarantee that I will be safe just because I have been fine in the past.
I have been stung five times in the past three years. Including the experience 20 years ago, I have had many unpleasant encounters with bees and wasps.
Until now, I may have been too careless. I sometimes thought I could handle a sting without any serious problems. I even tried to remove nests myself, and once I decided not to see a doctor after being stung.
But next time could be dangerous. I must not take these risks lightly anymore.
From now on, I will follow these rules:
- Check the area carefully before mowing grass or doing farm work.
- Avoid dark-colored clothing and wear a hat to cover my hair.
- Stay away from wasp nests and ask professionals to remove them.
- Tell my doctor about my past stings and symptoms, and ask for medical advice.
I sincerely hope I will never have to write another story about being stung by a bee or wasp.