What to Do if You’ve Been Stung by a Wasp or Bee!

As spring and summer bounce into view with warmer weather and promises of many picnics, days by the BBQ and park gatherings, so do your chances of running into a wayaward wasp or bee. While neither species sets out to sting you on purpose – unless they’re agitated – accidents happen and man, they can be searingly painful and occasionally fatal. Wasp and bee stings are two of the most common causes of anaphylaxis in Australia, with the European Honey Bee taking out the top spot. It’s almost needless to say, but bee and wasp stings should be taken seriously, whether you’ve been stung before or not, with particular attention paid to anyone who hasn’t encountered either species before.

Wasp and Bee 101: Did you know? Both the European and Paper Wasp can use their sting more than once, striking their target multiple times with their sharp barb.

Bee Sting First Aid

Keeping calm is always step one on the checklist for how to treat a bee sting. The victim – particularly a young child – will take their cues from you, so keep your breath steady and your words settled as you take care of the offending bee sting.

Step-by-Step Bee Sting Treatment

• Remove the sting ASAP – it takes mere moments for the poison to enter your bloodstream. Although tweezers are the preferred tool of choice, using your fingernails is allowed too, especially when you’re out and about.
• Clean the sting site with soapy water.
• Apply a cold pack – a packet of peas from the supermarket will do until you can get home.
• Is the victim experiencing swelling or itching? Proceed with these extra steps:
• Take ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling.
• Elevate the affected limb if the sting site is on an arm or leg.
• Grab a hydrocortisone cream from the chemist to ease swelling, itching and any resulting redness.
• Don’t scratch the sting-site.

How to Treat a Wasp Sting

If you’re wondering what to do for a wasp sting, the instructions are much the same as what you’d do for a bee sting; be mindful that wasp stings can produce more pain and acute symptoms due to repeated attacks by certain species.

Step-by-Step Wasp Sting Treatment

What is a normal reaction to a wasp sting?

Nobody wants to be stung by a wasp, but if you or a family member fall prey to their aggressive streak, knowing what to look for is important when figuring out what to do next. A normal reaction is a small raised welt around the sting site with a small white mark indicating the stingers’ puncture – pain can last several hours but should eventually go away with time and at-home treatment. If you start experiencing nausea and vomiting a couple of days following the sting, you could be having an allergic reaction without hitting anaphylaxis – we recommend getting checked out just in case should these symptoms present themselves.

• Remove the sting ASAP – it takes mere moments for the poison to enter your bloodstream. Although tweezers are the preferred tool of choice, using your fingernails is allowed too, especially when you’re out and about.
• Clean the sting site with soapy water.
• Apply a cold pack – a packet of peas from the supermarket will do until you can get home.
• Is the victim experiencing swelling or itching? Proceed with these extra steps:
• Take ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling.
• Elevate the affected limb if the sting site is on an arm or leg.
• Grab a hydrocortisone cream from the chemist to ease swelling, itching and any resulting redness.
• Don’t scratch the sting-site.

If your friend, yourself or a family member experiences any of the following symptoms after being stung by a wasp or a bee, report to the emergency room or dial 000 for immediate medical assistance:

• Hives, consistent itching
• Flushed or pale skin
• Breathing difficulties, including a swollen tongue and throat
• A rapid, weak pulse
• Dizziness and fainting
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Loss of consciousness

The best way to prevent a wasp or bee sting? Control their numbers with Canberra Pest Control. Prevention is always better than treatment and remember, when in doubt, call us. Your safety is important to us.