Bees and wasps are common summer visitors around your gardens and flower beds. You could inadvertently get stung while working outside as bees busily collect nectar or pollen. Wasps, such as yellow jackets and hornets, are more aggressive and will sting repeatedly with the slightest challenge. If you or a family member do get stung, take quick action with these first aid tips from WebMD.
1. If the stinger is still in the wound, remove it carefully with tweezers or by scraping it with your fingernail. Pinching it could release more venom. One of the differences between wasps and bees is the stinger. Most bees have a hooked stinger that will stay in the wound while the wasp’s straight stinger can allow for multiple attacks.
2. Reduce the swelling by putting ice on the area and elevating if possible. Remove rings, jewelry or clothing that could become too tight.
3. Treat the pain with ibuprofen or acetaminophen and use an antihistamine to relieve itching. Soothe the wound site with calamine lotion or a poultice of baking soda and water.
4. Symptoms usually last two to five days. To prevent infection, keep the wound area clean.
5. Seek medical attention immediately for symptoms such as dizziness, swollen tongue, trouble breathing, or hives, or if there has been a history of severe allergic reaction to insect stings.
If wasps and bees are no longer visiting but have taken up residence on your property, don’t attempt to get rid of them on your own. Contact the professionals at Allison Pest Control. We can reduce the danger and pain of bee stings by removing or relocating nests and hives.