Whether they sting or not can depend on a few things. The bigger and tougher they are the more theyre likely to sting. Tall ones that are leggy and looking for light are less likely however. Im pretty adept at spotting one I can pick up gloveless now. You can actually tell by how 'fierce' they look bizarrely. Sometimes they generally look spikier and more aggressive than others. Sounds odd but have a look at a few patches and you will see what I mean. The other thing that affects it is how you pick them up. If you firmly grab and pull up you can often get away without being stung. If you tentatively pluck them you however you are more likely to get brushed by them and stung. I think its to do with the direction of the hooks on them. Its also where the phrase 'Grasp the nettle' comes from. It genuinely does work if you grab firmly and pull swiftly. It can also go painfully wrong, so wear gloves!
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The other thing that affects it is how you pick them up. If you firmly grab and pull up you can often get away without being stung. If you tentatively pluck them you however you are more likely to get brushed by them and stung. I think its to do with the direction of the hooks on them. Its also where the phrase 'Grasp the nettle' comes from. It genuinely does work if you grab firmly and pull swiftly. It can also go painfully wrong, so wear gloves!