Ice: It’s an obvious method to reduce swelling at a sting site, but also helps with pain and itching. When there’s nothing else around to put on a bee or wasp sting, mud can alleviate the immediate effects of being stung. Vinegar (wasps, yellow jackets, hornets): Because members of the wasp family have venom that contains acetic acid, dabbing acidic vinegar on a sting site can help neutralize its effects.