In my experience, a wasp's sting hurts a whole lot more. One bee sting doesn't even hurt much; many probably do. OTOH, you hardly ever find a wasp's nest as large as a typical bee hive. So maybe it makes sense for wasps to have better weapons and try to save every individual.
I was removing an old raised bed from the previous owners, using a 20 pound sledge hammer. I got stung by a yellow jacket on the wrist, and it hurt as much as a toddler would playing with a rubber band.
It took me a few moments to understand what was happening - and I ran into the house, bringing seveal more with me. One got into my shirt and stung me under my arm, and that felt like purple. I balistically punched myself in instinct until they were all dead.
Then I learned how it works. You get tagged by the first hornet. They have a little scent that is a 'tracer', and once they see it, you're marked. Many, many times now I have been tagged by an angry yellow jacket and run to safety before the first stinging. There's about a second or two where your muscle memory can sprint you out of their area, about 300 feet. Often they will be found slamming the back door for several minutes, trying to follow me.
They hate percussive vibrations. Walking, sledgehammering, digging. They have two entrances to their nests, always a hole in the ground. I own a bee suit and will just go dig it up with a shovel now. I think it's still legal to do in my state. I really hate yellow jackets, I'm sorry but I can't see what they are bringing other than their rage.
> One bee sting doesn't even hurt much; many probably do.
It kinda depends on where, too.
My only bee sting was on my chin (during recess in grade school) and it was definitely more painful than the wasp stings I've received on other parts of the body.
