Stinging insects and venomous snakes: prevention and first aid, U.S. and Japan
Venomous snakes
CDC's occupational safety institute estimates that 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the United States each year, and about 5 die. Snakes tend to be most active at dawn and dusk and in warm weather. Boots and long pants help.
If someone is bitten (CDC/NIOSH)
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Seek emergency care as soon as possible; antivenom may be needed | Apply a tourniquet, electric shock or folk remedies |
| Have someone else drive; the bite can make you dizzy or pass out | Cut or slash the wound |
| Photograph the snake from a safe distance, if possible | Try to suck out the venom |
| Remove rings and watches before swelling starts | Apply ice or soak the wound in water |
| Mark the edge of the swelling on the skin and write the time | Drink alcohol or take pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen |
A difference in Japan. Okinawa Prefecture's guidance for bites from the habu, a local pit viper, says running speeds the spread of venom, so walk slowly or be driven to hospital. If the hospital is far, it says to tie the limb loosely with a wide cloth, loose enough to fit one finger, and loosen it every 15 minutes, never tightly with thin string. That conflicts with CDC's "no tourniquet" advice for U.S. snakes. Follow local medical guidance where you are, and in either country, get to a hospital fast. Both agree on no alcohol and no painkillers.
Bees, wasps and hornets
CDC lists bees, wasps, hornets and fire ants as stinging insects. For people allergic to venom, a sting can cause anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction that needs immediate emergency care. Anyone with a history of severe reactions should carry an epinephrine auto-injector and wear medical ID.
- Wear light-colored, smooth-finished clothing (CDC).
- If a single insect is flying around you, stay calm and still; swatting may provoke a sting (CDC).
- If several attack, run away. Don't jump into water; some insects hover above it (CDC).
- Don't squeeze the stinger or use tweezers to remove it (CDC).
Japan's hornets
Japan has large, aggressive hornets, and its vital statistics recorded 18 deaths in 2024 from contact with hornets, wasps and bees. The national forestry research institute's guide for hikers says hornets in attack mode go first for black objects, so white or yellow is safer than black; insect repellent sprays and creams are no help at all against stinging hornets; and most anaphylaxis deaths happen within an hour of the sting. Like CDC, it says not to swat: stay as still as you can and wait for the hornet to fly away. Stings are concentrated in August and September.
Our suggestions
- Shake out boots and sleeping bags before use.
- Step on logs and rocks, not over them, where snakes may be hiding.
- Look for nests and flight paths before choosing a campsite.
Everyday
Wear boots and long pants on trails, watch where you step at dawn and dusk, and carry an epinephrine auto-injector if you've had a severe sting reaction.
When it counts
If someone is bitten or stung, you keep them calm, get medical help fast and skip the folk remedies.
Sources and when we checked them
- CDC/NIOSH, Venomous Snakes at Work (reviewed Sept. 23, 2026) (checked 2026-10-31)
- CDC/NIOSH, Insects and Scorpions at Work (reviewed Sept. 28, 2026) (checked 2026-10-31)
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (Japan), Preventing hornet stings during forest recreation (PDF, in Japanese) (checked 2026-10-31)
- MHLW (Japan), Vital Statistics 2024, deaths from accidents other than traffic, table 9 (e-Stat, CSV, in Japanese) (checked 2026-10-31)
- Okinawa Prefecture, Beware of Habu! (English leaflet, PDF) (checked 2026-10-31)
- Okinawa Prefecture, if you are bitten (2024-01-11, in Japanese) (checked 2026-10-31)
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