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How to Treat Bee Stings

When a bee decides that you’re in its way, the resulting sting is painful – for you AND the bee. Their barbed stingers lodge in the victim, causing half of the bee’s guts to pull out after the attack.

Knowing that the bee just killed itself, however, does not make the sting any less painful. The venom in your system collects at the sting site, causing a swollen lump – and lots of pain.

Here’s how to ease the pain, make the swelling go away and otherwise treat that nasty sting.

First, you’ll need to remove the stinger. Some experts – such as researchers from California and Pennsylvania – have found that the most important thing is to remove the stinger as soon as possible after you’re stung. Even if the quickest removal involves tweezers, you should get the stinger out as fast as you can. The longer this nasty thing remains in your body, the more you will swell up afterward.

You should gently wash the site with soap and water. Keep the area clean for the next few days, as this will

help the healing process. Also: don’t use bandages. The site will heal faster if it’s exposed to air.

Take an antihistamine – such as Benadryl – to reduce swelling. Always follow the recommended dosage instructions with any drug that you take. With antihistamines, prepare for the resulting drowsiness so that you won’t have to drive or otherwise endanger yourself and others.

You can also take an acetaminophen to help make the symptoms go away. While you’re in the medicine cabinet, look for a topical anti-itch cream, such as hydrocortisone or calamine lotion. These will relieve the itching.

Ice packs will help reduce the swelling and itching. Don’t leave the ice on your skin for more than ten to fifteen minutes at a time.

You can also apply different home remedies to the site. Some people use deodorant, meat tenderizer (mixed with water), or a paste made from baking soda and water.

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Beekeeper clothing

The clothing that a beekeeper chooses is also very important. Lightly coloured clothes must be worn as bees are attracted to dark colours. Light coloured pants, such as white or khaki, with white socks are a must. Pant legs should be folded over and socks pulled over them to keep bees from going up your pant leg. A light coloured shirt that can be buttoned or zipped tightly is also important. Alternatively, there are bee suits which can be purchased. A bee veilis a very important item to new beekeepers and those more experienced alike. The bee veil keeps bees away from your face, head, and neck and keeps you from being stung. Bees are attracted to noses and eyes especially when protecting their hives and also get can get caught in one's hair which is something the bee veil helps prevent. Gloves can also be worn while working around your bees, but it can be difficult to wear gloves for all of the tasks you may encounter while working with your hive. Many beekeepers will wear gloves to begin with, but will later opt not to wear them once their bees are used to them and the keeper knows how they'll react.

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Tools of the trade

There are many tools available to beekeepers and some are essential. The most important tools a beekeeper needs are a smoker which is used to calm the bees which makes examining the hive much safer. Smoke makes the bees stuff themselves with honey, making them calm, but smoke must be used carefully as too much can drive the bees from the hive and they may not return for quite a while which puts them at risk.

Also, a hive tool is used to pry the inner lid off the hive and pry frames apart as well as cleaning frames is important to beekeepers. There are also bee brushes used to do just that, brush bees from comb when gathering honey, though a branch with leaves serves the same purpose.

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