Tips on Treating Bee Stings
Almost everyone has an encounter with bees at some point during the year. Though bees tend to be passive and avoid danger, they are known to sting when threatened – something we all know just too well. We’ve decided to put together this article to help anyone that might be looking for tips on treating a bee sting with DIY/home made remedies.
We don’t encourage the killing of bees and are more than happy to refer you to some of the beekeepers around Sydney however, we have found that often bee keepers will refuse to remove certain species of bees (due to overpopulation or an inability to host them).
If you’re allergic to bee stings the situation can get quite serious if you are stung by a bee and we advise always having the appropriate medication on hand when there are bees nearby – according to statistics 3% of people have an allergic reaction to bee stings and 0.8% of people suffer from anaphylaxis (a life threatening response). If you notice bee swarming, which starts to happen in spring as well as throughout the start of summer, and you’re allergic then we recommend getting a professional pest control company to remove them before they can establish a hive.
The Bee venom is injected into the skin via their stinger and spreads through the localized area quite quickly. The bee’s stinger has a barb which prevents the bee from removing the stinger and generally results in the bee dying after a sting. Bee stings are generally a mild nuisance for the majority of the population, resulting in irritation, mild swelling and mild inflammation which can lead to itching. Pain will fade over the period of a few hours in most cases.
Bee Sting Treatment Tips!
· If you suffer from a severe allergy to bee stings then call emergency services immediately · Check if the stinger is still inside your skin – the stinger is a black colour and will be noticeable near the wound. Removing it promptly might reduce the severity of the swelling and skin irritation. Using a hard object like a business card of VISA card can help in removing it quickly.
· You can apply ice or an ice pack to the area to reduce the inflammation.
· You can apply an antihistamine such as Benadryl or take a pain relief medicine such as iBurpofen or Panadol if you are experiencing severe discomfort.
o Applying toothpaste to the sting which will provide relief and lower the urge to itch the area. o Apply a Calamine Lotion (that contains an analgesic). o A hydrocortisone cream might supply mild relief.· There are various natural soothing balms and creams that can negate some of the discomfort and inflammation. Other treatment methods include:
If you are worried about a bee infestation or have friends/family that are allergic to bees and would like to create a safe environment for them at your home then don’t hesitate to give us a call and we can organize a treatment for you at your earliest convenience. We have decades of experience with pest control and guarantee an effective and safe treatment to be completed at your home/property.
Email or call to book today! 0417 251 911, bruce@a1pestcontrol.com.au
