Bees are perhaps one of the insects that we fear the most in summer. However, its sting is not as “poisonous” or “aggressive” as that of wasps , but that does not mean that it cannot react to us and cause us to have a hard time and even suffer something serious if we are allergic. So now let’s know how to avoid being stung by bees.
How to avoid being stung by bees?
The bee stings us through its retractable stinger , located on the back of its abdomen. This is harsh: once planted in an epidermis, the bee can no longer remove it, the stinger is torn with the bag of poison that remains inside the skin while it lives just a few more hours after having sting. Therefore, it can only sting once , unlike hornets or wasps, whose sting is mild and can sting more than once.
When do bees sting?
If we want to prevent the bees from stinging us, the key is not to cross paths with them and although most of the time the encounter is accidental, you should know that the bees do not go far from their hive so normally, we are the ones who We “invade” without being aware of its space.
Thus, the bee does not sting simply by aggressiveness or gratuitously, but in reality what it does is defend itself or protect its hive . Therefore, it rarely stings away from the hive , at best when it is caught in the folds of a garment or caught in the hair.
What we have to do then is to free the trapped bee from the hair or clothing to avoid the sting . On the other hand, a bee that defends its hive or that has already stung emits a pheromone calling its fellow human beings to do the same , so it is important that we pay close attention when, for example, we go on an excursion or on a picnic. we cross or we are in an area where there is a hive nearby. The risk will be that the bees are threatened by our presence and with it that one stings us and the others attack us.
In all the ways you should avoid approaching a hive , your presence could be interpreted as an aggression. Particularly in spring or late summer : guards protect the brood or stocks for the winter.
What is the danger of a bee sting?
Hymenopterans (such as the wasp, bee or hornet), when they sting, inject us with toxins that cause pain and an inflammatory reaction . Therefore, it is necessary to monitor a person who has been bitten for several hours. If you have an allergy, a sting in the mouth or throat or several stings , it will be necessary to call 112 or go immediately to the emergency room.
How can we prevent being stung by a bee?
The main thing, as we have pointed out, is to avoid invading the area where the hive is located. But in the event that a bee crosses our path, this is what we should do:
- Avoid sudden movements . Keep calm.
- In the field, remove the nests of bees , wasps or hornets near your house.
- If a bee enters the car , you must remain calm, stop and open the windows to get it out.
- Avoid walking barefoot or wearing sandals in nature, near water, or on grass.
- In case of allergy, always carry an emergency kit with you.
What if the bee stings us?
- Remove the sting. Rub the skin with an ice cube to numb the pain. If the mouth or throat is affected, while you wait for the doctor, suck ice cubes to limit the edema.
- Rub the bite with a water compress soaked in apple cider vinegar to neutralize the venom.
- If the bite is swollen and itchy: make a poultice with a tablespoon of powdered clay and warm water . Apply, let it dry and rinse with water.
- Asp lavender is healing : apply 1 drop of pure asp lavender essential oil to the bite and massage. Repeat 5 minutes later, then 3 times in a row.
- If you are stung in a garden or in the field, choose three different leaves around them and rub the bite . Example: a geranium, lilac and bay leaf.
