I have a fear of, but still love and respect bees (Honey Bees and Bumble Bees). I am DEATHLY allergic to them! Got stung when I was young, and that is how we found out. Beyond that, I have allergies to spider bites as well. Got bit by a Brown Recluse in my sleep and that was a bad experience.
Here is where I will talk about generally getting beyond fear of insects such as spiders and other common creatures we encounter. As you can see, I feel for all of you here on this topic because of my own issues with them. I got over my fear by repeated self-exposure to common insects and arachnids. I started reading about them, learned how they behave, how they function, what they eat and prey on, how they help balance out our environment and their role in all of that.
I then started slowly getting closer to some of them to observe and teach myself that if I observe and don't do anything to aggravate them, they simply will not be remotely interested in me. I learned from my own experience that insects and arachnids prefer to run and save themselves than risk confrontation. I learned that they do not go looking to prey on us, just as is documented in scientific studies.
Spiders / Arachnids you have to worry about vary from nation to nation, region to region. In Australia, as stated earlier, the red backs and funnelwebs are absolutely the world's most dangerous spiders. Stay away at all costs! Spiders whose venom is non-toxic to humans can still leave some people with symptoms of skin irritation or illness, but that is usually just the body doing what it does anyway...fighting off something in the system that doesn't belong (unless you are allergic in which case you should get medical attention right away.)
If you are in a situation where you MUST have contact with venemous spiders with no choice in the matter: use THICK gloves and THICK PROTECTIVE clothing! Use any instrument available that can grab the creature and also place distance between you and the creature. Have a container available with an airtight seal and use it! Evaluate whether or not you can wait for a professional to arrive prior to taking ANY action on your own! NEVER do anything alone! Make sure you have family or someone else close by who can call for emergency rescue in the event you get bit. Never rush a situation in which you have to deal with venemous spiders. Plan it out and act with the most caution that can be managed. DO NOT EVER act in an unsafe manner such as using fire or strong / harsh chemicals which can affect your health / cause skin burns, etc.
As always, if you can have a professional deal with the situation, go that route!
When it comes to flying and stinging insects such as wasps, hornets, and their close cousins...just leave them alone and get yourself out of the area! (Do it slowly, don't attract their attention by swatting and panicking) They ARE social! That word means that they attack in groups! Let a professional deal with these nests of nasty fellows! Never feel bad about getting rid of wasps, hornets, or their close cousins. They serve no ecological purpose, they destroy honey bee and bumble bee hives which are vital for human survival. Without Honey Bees and Bumble Bees, we have no food of any sort! I never advise using sprays or fire scenarios because that places YOU in danger! If wasps or hornets and their close cousins wanna have an area to themselves, let them have it until someone can come to deal with them. The thing with wasps, hornets, and their close cousins is that these are the nasty buggers that attack without provocation or warning, they are aggressive by their nature. THIS is why I give the advice I give.
Anyone who wants to learn more about these things can simply Google your state / national database of entomology or insect science and these are the trusted sources where you can get real information instead of urban myths.
