Bee Sting

bwallace23350 · September 23, 2016, 09:11:23 AM

I remember earlier in the year talking about stings and how they were needed by beekeepers to build up resistance or immunity. Well I have only really suffered one solid sting this year. So my question is should I forgo the smoke on my next inspection and hope for a sting or just count myself lucky this year?

BeeMaster2 · September 23, 2016, 09:16:36 AM

Nah, your girls will probably fix you up even with the smoke. Unless it is a really small hive I would not do it. With out the smoke you could really take a beating. When you get done with your next inspection, if you don't get stung, you can just pick up a bee and make her sting you.
Jim

iddee · September 23, 2016, 09:34:22 AM

Like Jim says, use smoke. You don't want to start out with 25 to 75 stings within 10 seconds. That isn't the proper way to do it. You can work them normally, or get in a bit of a hurry and bump them around a little. That usually gets me a few.

I will also pick one up and apply the sting where I want it now and then.

bwallace23350 · September 23, 2016, 09:42:43 AM

Well I have not got brave enough to not go out there without a suite yet. But the general agreement is that I need a few more stings under my belt. Last sting really only hurt for 30 minutes with minimum swelling. My hives are small with only two deeps and a honey super on my stronger of the two.

Tapper9914 · September 23, 2016, 02:05:43 PM

This is a good topic. I have been beekeeping for the past 8 years and stings haven't given me a problem until this year. My first sting of the season was on my finger and it swelled up. After a few days the swelling went down and it itched like crazy. This season I've gotten stung about 4 or 5 times and the same thing. Now the past 6 or 7 years stinging didn't bother me. Anyone else have this??

bwallace23350 · September 23, 2016, 02:19:06 PM

So far my sting reaction has been very very very mild. I have managed to avoid wasps but when they hit me it is like a brick smacking me. It just hurts for a while with a decent amount of swelling.

pjigar · September 23, 2016, 05:33:30 PM

First year beek. 4 sings so far. I feel sting for couple minutes, followed by no pain for good 8 hours, followed by a day of pain/discomfort and light swelling, followed by no symptoms after 2-3 days.

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PhilK · September 24, 2016, 01:02:22 AM

I swell like crazy especially on the hands. Lasts about 3-4 days with day 2 being the worst

BeeMaster2 · September 24, 2016, 09:03:14 AM

Tapper,
I'm on my 6th year and 3 weeks ago while removing honey, I took over 25 stings to my hands in one day. With the exception of one sting on my ring finger, after 5 minutes you could not tell that I had been stung. That one on my finger tip swelled but after about 5 hours, the swelling went round.
Jim

Psparr · September 24, 2016, 10:06:36 AM

I think it has a lot to do with where and how deep and long the stinger is in there.
When I get them on my arm or forehead the hurt for a couple minutes. Last week I got one right above the eye. Hurt for a couple days. Got one yesterday right below my eye. Typing this with one eye.

tjc1 · September 24, 2016, 07:57:51 PM

I don't think that any beekeeper 'needs' to get any stings. As you can see from these posts the range of reactions is wide and can even change over time, or depending on where the sting is, etc. An individual is going to react the way their body reacts and I don't think that looking for stings is going to really change anything. I've also heard that some folks seem to hit a spot where the get more sensitive over time with more stings, or become sensitized - rather than the other way around. Spare yourself the trouble!

bwallace23350 · September 26, 2016, 09:20:49 AM

Re: Bee Sting
? Reply #9 on: September 24, 2016, 10:06:36 AM ?

Quote

I think it has a lot to do with where and how deep and long the stinger is in there.
When I get them on my arm or forehead the hurt for a couple minutes. Last week I got one right above the eye. Hurt for a couple days. Got one yesterday right below my eye. Typing this with one eye.

Why are you not wearing a veil?

tjc1
? on: September 24, 2016, 07:57:51 PM ?

Insert Quote

I don't think that any beekeeper 'needs' to get any stings. As you can see from these posts the range of reactions is wide and can even change over time, or depending on where the sting is, etc. An individual is going to react the way their body reacts and I don't think that looking for stings is going to really change anything. I've also heard that some folks seem to hit a spot where the get more sensitive over time with more stings, or become sensitized - rather than the other way around. Spare yourself the trouble................... Perhaps I will just keep suiting up and doing what I am doing. Lets be honest stings hurt even if you are expecting them or not.

Psparr · September 26, 2016, 09:57:55 AM

Two reasons I don't wear a veil.
I sweat even in the winter. Don't need another layer.
I don't get stung much, and it's just nicer to work without one.
Here's a video of my youngest daughter quite a few years ago, and yes I titled the video "Child Abuse" figured I'd get a rise out of somebody.
https://youtu.be/l_Jrw3NG31k

bwallace23350 · September 26, 2016, 11:10:04 AM

Braver man than I

BeeMaster2 · September 28, 2016, 08:12:14 PM

Psparr,
My 2 granddaughters were fearless for 5 years around the bees until last year when the youngest one got stung in the neck trying to look into my observation hive while my wife were working on it. Now they are both scared of the bees. The youngest is starting to be less fearful but not the older one.
Jim

Psparr · September 28, 2016, 08:29:08 PM

Funny you should say that. All three of mine will scream bloody murder if there's a bee in the car, but stick their fingers into the comb to get some honey.
Go figure.

bwallace23350 · September 29, 2016, 09:41:45 AM

When did yall start your kids grandkids around the hives. I have a one year old and would like to start him early./

Psparr · September 29, 2016, 09:46:55 AM

Just do it when there's a good nectar flow on.

Acebird · September 29, 2016, 10:11:10 AM

I haven't been stung that many times. Mostly in the hands and not much of a reaction but it does not appear to do anything for arthritis. If you are working your bees I feel you should wear a veil at the very least. A bad situation could occur in a heartbeat. If you are just standing around an open hive I think you can get away without anything but you should be ready to back out quickly if the need arises.

Psparr · September 29, 2016, 11:36:35 AM

The only time I've ever worn a veil was on a couple cut outs. The last cutout was in shorts and a t-shirt. To each his own.