Yellow Jackets Sting Woman 500-Plus Times

(AP)  Fire officials say a Massachusetts woman who fell onto a yellow jackets' nest in her yard was stung more than 500 times.

Capt. Tim Birch says firefighters used a carbon dioxide chemical fire extinguisher to blast the swarm of insects away Sunday, but it wasn't enough, according to The Sun Chronicle newspaper. Three firefighters were treated for stings.

Birch tells The Sun Chronicle that even paramedics and emergency room personnel at Sturdy Memorial Hospital had to fight off the yellow jackets, which are also known as wasps. He says the 53-year-old victim remains hospitalized. He did not have further information on her condition.

Firefighters went back to the Attleboro home to look for the hive but couldn't find it. They believe it is underground.

[ToolMangler1]

That she is still alive is a testament to her strength.

[walt9800]

The photo is incorrect. That is not a yellowjacket. What is shown in the photo is a paper wasp. The look is similar, but there is a distinct difference between a paper wasp and a yellowjacket.

[mswolfestock]

This has been a terrible year for stinging insects, and they seem to be getting more aggressive over the years. We have been battling the yellow jackets that nest in the ground and so far we have been winning although husband has spent tons 'o money on wasp spray. You have to wait until after dark to treat them, and it's better if you wait until the air temperature goes below 50 degrees when they are more sluggish. Husband said he'll pour kerosene down the hole and light it if they don't go away soon. This is (sort of) dangerous but we have to get rid of the bees because of our three dogs. One is just a puppy and she probably wouldn't survive more than a couple of stings. If stinging insects are a problem in your area, always keep benadryl around for you and your dogs. If your dog gets stung, mash up a couple of benadryl tablets and mix them into some peanut butter. Dogs will usually respond well to this treatment but might become drowsy and really thirsty. And it's way better than doing nothing, especially if your dog gets stung around its face or mouth.