What to do if attacked by giant hornets
Don't approach or swat at a nest — if attacked, crouch low and get away quickly
01 What to do now
- 01
Encountering a swarm (not yet stung)
Don't panic or scream, don't swat to fend them off; crouch down immediately, cover your head and neck with clothing, and leave quietly and quickly — don't stop to rest until you're indoors or in a vehicle
- 02
Already stung
First make sure you've cleared the swarm's range, then treat the wound: rinse it with clean water and ice it to relieve swelling, heat, and pain. Hornets don't leave their stinger in the skin; if a honeybee sting leaves a stinger behind, gently scrape it off along the skin with the edge of a card — never squeeze it with your fingers or pull it with tweezers
- 03
Warning signs
Dizziness, palpitations, difficulty breathing, full-body hives, or facial/throat swelling are signs of a systemic allergic reaction and a precursor to shock — get to a hospital immediately, don't wait for symptoms to pass on their own
02 Common myths
Squeezing the wound after being stung to force out the venom: this only spreads the venom faster and deeper
Assuming it's just a regular insect bite and waiting to see: a systemic allergic reaction can progress to shock within tens of minutes
Swatting at an approaching hornet: an aggressive motion can trigger a group attack
03 Sources
- CNA — What to do if attacked by giant hornets? Doctor: leave quickly, wash the wound, then ice it Professional / media source
- ETtoday — Hornet attacks rising in Taitung, fire department urges hikers to stay alert (Aug 2026) Professional / media source