First time bee sting

sagesounds · May 20, 2009, 02:35:02 PM

I keep a list of sting remedies and add to it all the time I come accross another one. There a plenty of ideas and things to try, so you just learn what works best by trial & error. Last year we had good sucess using Borax paste (made using the laundry additive powder mixed with a bit of water) It worked quite well (caution borax can be toxic ( in amounts over 1/4 tsp internally so use with care and avoid eating any of it - it is safe for external use) This seemed to work about 100 times better than the baking soda remedy, Another remedy I have not tried yet but is reported to work well is the Laundry bluing solution (back to the laundry department for this one also) Just put a drop on the sting.. It will stain your skin blue but is supposed to work wonders on the pain & swelling!!, anyone ever tried it?? Another old time remedy is to use a leaf from the lambs ear plant like a poultice (I have not tried that one yet) I also wonder if oak bark might help a sting, using a tea made of oak bark??

What is working for YOU???

Natalie · May 20, 2009, 02:54:03 PM

I think the best thing to do is buy some Denver's Sting Stopper, it works amazingly well.
The pain is gone within a minute of using it and even though it comes in a tiny jar you only need a miniscule amount.
There is another one on the market that is similar but I have not tried it.
They also have one use packets available.
Having a jar ready to go in your tool bag is so much better than having to take time to mix something up while you are in pain.
Everyone should have something they can carry with them, especially if you have someone else with you and they get stung by one of your bees.
I keep one in my car since I got stung by a bee at a park last year.

HomeBru · May 20, 2009, 03:19:54 PM

I made HUGE points at our local beekeeper's association meeting last weekend when my son got hit. We walked away from the hive, I pulled out a credit card and scraped out the stinger, then plucked a leaf of Plantain, chewed on it a bit and slapped it on the sting. No swelling, no pain. Two other guys that got hit that afternoon came over to see what plant that was and they couldn't believe how well it worked.

We grow bee balm in our garden and it works great as a poultice as well. (Tastes a lot better, too!)

Ice for swelling is a must.

J-

Bee Happy · May 20, 2009, 03:36:02 PM

Quote from: HomeBru on May 20, 2009, 03:19:54 PM
I made HUGE points at our local beekeeper's association meeting last weekend when my son got hit. We walked away from the hive, I pulled out a credit card and scraped out the stinger, then plucked a leaf of Plantain, chewed on it a bit and slapped it on the sting. No swelling, no pain. Two other guys that got hit that afternoon came over to see what plant that was and they couldn't believe how well it worked.

We grow bee balm in our garden and it works great as a poultice as well. (Tastes a lot better, too!)

Ice for swelling is a must.

J-

I'm familiar with plantain bananas (yuck) but you're in Indiana soo I'm guessing you didn't find a banana plant handy...

HomeBru · May 20, 2009, 04:16:12 PM

Quote from: Bee Happy on May 20, 2009, 03:36:02 PM
I'm familiar with plantain bananas (yuck) but you're in Indiana soo I'm guessing you didn't find a banana plant handy...

:-D :-D :-D

Nope, no bananas... It's "Common Plaintain" a very common weed around these here parts...

From This Blog/Site (quick Google)

J-

Brian D. Bray · May 21, 2009, 01:27:06 AM

Quote from: HomeBru on May 20, 2009, 04:16:12 PM
Quote from: Bee Happy on May 20, 2009, 03:36:02 PM
I'm familiar with plantain bananas (yuck) but you're in Indiana soo I'm guessing you didn't find a banana plant handy...

:-D :-D :-D

Nope, no bananas... It's "Common Plaintain" a very common weed around these here parts...

From This Blog/Site (quick Google)

J-

There are two varities, as seen in the picture, the narrow leaf and the broader leaf plantain. But since I see both growing together most of the time I'm more inclined to think it is more a male/female thing.

Shawn · May 27, 2009, 04:54:00 PM

Ok I posted the pictures of swarm cells in the photo section but here is the question. Since I know the hive is hott and they are now getting ready to swarm do I let them go? If I kill the queen will the new queen and bees stay? They are great buiders and dont want them all to leave. I would like to get them to show the other hive that refuses to build on the frames a lesson.

rast · May 27, 2009, 07:41:38 PM

Well Shawn, not to dispute MB, but a hot queen makes a hot or hotter queen, depending on the drones she mates with. A major queen breeder told me that with a hot queen and artificial insemination (semen from the hot hive) in four generations you would think they were AHB.
Regarding offing the queen, if they are in the mood to swarm and you don't take swarm prevention measures (maybe a split with the old queen and move them), They will take a new queen and swarm anyway. It's the workers that want to swarm, they just take the queen with them.
Also, as I have learned, nothing is ever 100% successful with bees.

olive · May 27, 2009, 09:52:22 PM

ouch! haha, I'm scared, I've never been stung in my life. I'm bracing myself...I just hope its not on the eye lol!

jeremy_c · May 27, 2009, 10:16:21 PM

Quote from: olive on May 27, 2009, 09:52:22 PM
ouch! haha, I'm scared, I've never been stung in my life. I'm bracing myself...I just hope its not on the eye lol!

My 4 year old got stung on the eye lid this year. Her eye swelled a bit but I was quick to get the stinger out and it had no real impact on what she did or how she felt. She just went on playing like normal having a good time with her three other sisters (after the initial shock of being stung had passed of course!).

Jeremy

dhood · May 27, 2009, 10:47:49 PM

I have always used benydril and rubbed alcohol over large numbers of stings, seems to work fine for me.

annette · May 27, 2009, 10:52:08 PM

Quote from: olive on May 27, 2009, 09:52:22 PM
ouch! haha, I'm scared, I've never been stung in my life. I'm bracing myself...I just hope its not on the eye lol!

the important thing Olive is to always wear a veil when you are working the bees. They always go for the face first is what I have heard here on the forum, so a veil is a must.

The sting really doesn't hurt as it feels sort of like a little burning sensation, but right after that the pain starts. But as others have said, it depends on where they sting and if you get the stinger out first. I make a paste with meat tenderizer and it works right away. No more pain. Oh and the benedryl is important to take if you are not sure what sort of reaction you will have.

I do like the stuff that Natalie mentioned and I am going to look into that.

Mason · May 28, 2009, 03:12:50 PM

I got it over with early on and sting myself on purpose. My reasoning was the most itching and swelling I would ever have would be on the first sting and didn't want it to be on my eye or face. I never use gloves and usually get stung one or two times when going through the frames. When a bee gets aggressive with me I smack them with a clap if my hands are free. I figure they are going to die anyway if they sting me.

My strategy worked. A few weeks later got popped on the tip of the nose. It hurt like hell but it didn't swell or itch and made going to work the next day far less embarrassing.

Those pictures are hilarious. Thanks for being a good sport and sharing.

Shawn · May 28, 2009, 06:01:52 PM

The initial sting burned but after that there was no pain and no itching. The swelling has long gone down but Im not in a rush to go back in the garden to get more pictures.