I did the same, somewhere in the midwest. Not sure how many stings I got, but the f*#kers were everywhere.
Most likely it was the wasp that we call Yellow Jackets. They usually live in cavities of some sort, and can be in the ground. They are agressive and love to go after your food (meat) and drinks (sodas) in the outdoors. Real pests and their sting can get infected easily since they are scavengers.
The Paper Wasps are a bit bigger, with thin waists and dangly legs. A lot less agressive, but sting just as painfully and all wasps can sting at will (unlike a bee). These guys usually build paper nests that are open and hang by a short stalk of some sort. We get them around our pool, but they aren't too interested in food or us. Just water from the pool to build their nests.
Unfortunately, both prey on a lot of pests, so not such a good idea to kill them off...
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| I have definitely disturbed a nest of wasps in the ground before, those ****ers weren't very solitary. | |
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