Bee & Wasp Stings

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Nearly everyone has been stung by

an insect at one time or another. Itsan unpleasant experience that peoplehope not to repeat, but for most peoplethe damage inicted is only temporarypain. Only a very limited portion ofthe populationone to two people outof 1,000is allergic or hypersensitiveto bee or wasp stings. Although thispublication is about stings from beesand wasps, the information pertains tostings from re ants as well.

Stinging insects are limited to theorder Hymenoptera, which includes

wasps, bees, and ants. The stinger is amodied egg-laying apparatus, so onlyfemales can sting. Most hymenopteranslive solitary lives, and their behavioris more likely to be ight than ght.Social hymenopteransincludingyellowjackets (Fig. 1), honey bees(Fig. 2), bumble bees (Fig. 3), and reantshave individuals in the colonywhose task it is to defend the nest. Ifthe nest is disturbed, these individualswill defend it vigorously. In addition,foraging members of the colony alsowill sting if they are disturbed orinjured as they go about their activities.Some, such as the yellowjacket, aremuch more likely to attack than others.For more information on the behavior,biology, and management of this insect,see Pest Notes: Yellowjackets and OtherSocial Wasps listed in References.

The Africanized honey bee is closelyrelated to the European honey bee,which is used in agriculture for croppollination and honey production.The two types of bees look the same,

and their behavior is similar in manyrespects. Neither is likely to stingwhen gathering nectar and pollen fromowers, but both will sting in defenseif provoked.

An individual Africanized bee can

sting only once and has the samevenom as the European honey bee.However, Africanized honey bees areless predictable and more defensivethan European honey bees. They aremore likely to defend a greater areaaround their nest, and they respondfaster and in greater numbers than theEuropean honey bee.

SINGLE STINGS

Stingers are effective weapons becausethey deliver a venom that causespain when injected into the skin. Themajor chemical responsible for thisis melittin; it stimulates the nerveendings of pain receptors in the skin.The result is a very uncomfortablesensation, which begins as a sharppain that lasts a few minutes and thenbecomes a dull ache. Even up to afew days later, the tissue may still besensitive to the touch.

The body responds to stings byliberating uid from the blood to ushvenom components from the area. This

causes redness and swelling at thesting site. If this isnt the rst time theperson has been stung by that speciesof insect, it is likely that the immunesystem will recognize the venom andenhance the disposal procedure. Thiscan lead to very large swelling aroundthe sting site or in a whole portion ofthe body. The area is quite likely toitch. Oral and topical antihistaminesshould help prevent or reduce theitching and swelling. Try not to rub orscratch the sting site, because microbesfrom the surface of the skin could be

introduced into the wound, resultingin an infection.

When the sting is caused by a honeybee, the stinger usually remains in the

skin when the insect leaves because thestinger is barbed. Remove the stingeras quickly as possible because venomcontinues to enter the skin from thestinger for 45 to 60 seconds following asting. Much has been written about theproper way to remove a bee stinger, butnew information indicates it doesntmatter how you get it out as long

as it is removed as soon as possible.Fingernails or the edge of a credit cardare both effective tools. If a stinger isremoved within 15 seconds of the sting,the severity of the sting is reduced.

Integrated Pest Management for Home Gardeners and Landscape Professionals

Beeand Waspstings

Figure 1. Yellowjacket.

Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program September 2011

PEST NOTES Publication 7449

Figure 2. Honey bee.

Figure 3. Bumble bee.


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After the stinger is removed, washthe wound and treat it. Several over-the-counter products or simply a coldcompress can be used to alleviatethe pain of a sting. Aerosol or creamantihistamine preparations thatcontain a skin coolant also can help.If the sting is followed by severesymptoms or if it occurs on the neckor mouth, seek medical attentionimmediately, because swelling in theseareas of the body can cause suffocation.

Anaphylaxis

A small percentage of the populationis allergic to wasp or bee stings. If yoususpect that you or a family membermight be allergic or is developing anallergy, go to a physician or allergist

for testing. Allergic reactions to beeor wasp stings can develop anywhereon the body and may include non-life-threatening reactions such ashives, swelling, nausea, vomiting,abdominal cramps, and headaches.Life-threatening reactions such asshock, dizziness, unconsciousness,difculty breathing, and laryngeal

blockage resulting from swelling inthe throat require immediate medicalcare. Symptoms can begin immediatelyfollowing the sting or up to 30 minuteslater and may last for hours.

In allergic persons, venom componentscirculating in the body combine withantibodies that are associated withmast cells resting on vital organs. Themast cells release histamine and other

biologically active substances. Thisresults in a leakage of uid out ofthe blood and into the body tissues.Blood pressure drops dangerouslylow, and uid builds up in the lungs.If this response isnt reversed withina short time, the patient may die ofanaphylactic shock.

Anaphylaxis, if treated in time, usuallycan be reversed by the effects ofepinephrine (adrenaline) injectedinto the body. Individuals whoare aware that they are allergic tostings should carry an epinephrineinjection device whenever theythink they may encounter stinginginsects. Epinephrine is obtainable

only by prescription from a physician.Antihistamines potentially have valuein combating non-life-threateningreactions but should be used accordingto a physicians instructions.

Another method of combatinganaphylaxis is desensitization. In thisapproach, the patient is subjected toinjections of the venom to which he orshe is allergic in increasing doses overa period of time. Like hay fever shots,the tactic is to build up a protectiveconcentration of antibodies in the

blood that will intercept and tie upthe venom components before theycan reach the antibodies on the mastcells. Desensitization with pure venomworks about 95% of the time.

MULTIPLE STINGS

Mass Envenomation

Occasionally a person becomesinvolved in a situation where he orshe is stung many times before beingable to ee from the nesting site.Depending on the number of stings,the person may just hurt a lot, feel alittle sick, or feel very sick. Humanscan be killed if stung enough timesin a single incident. With honey beesthe toxic dose (LD50) of the venom isestimated to be 8.6 stings per poundof body weight. Obviously, childrenare at a greater risk than adults. Infact, an otherwise healthy adult wouldhave to be stung more than 1,000times to be in risk of death. Mostdeaths caused by multiple stingshave occurred in men in their 70s or80s who were known to have poorcardiopulmonary functioning.

Renal Insufciency

A second, potentially life-threateningresult of multiple stings occurs days

after the incident. Proteins in thevenom act as enzymes; one dissolvesthe cement that holds body cellstogether, while another perforates thewalls of cells. This damage liberatestiny tissue debris that normally wouldbe eliminated through the kidneys.If too much debris accumulates tooquickly, the kidneys become cloggedand the patient is in danger of dying

from kidney failure. It is importantfor persons who have receivedmany stings at one time to discussthis secondary effect with theirdoctors. (Wasp stings are as potentin this respect as bee stings.) Patientsshould be monitored for a week ortwo following an incident involvingmultiple stings to be certain that nosecondary health problems arise.

AVOIDING STINGS

Bees and wasps can be attracted to, ormay react to, odors in the environment.It is best not to use perfume, cologne,or scented soaps if you are goinginto an area of bee and/or waspactivity. Unless someone accidentallycollides quite hard with or swats at

a bee or wasp, it is not likely to sting.Avoid going barefoot in vegetation,especially clover and bloomingground covers. Also avoid wearingbrightly colored or patterned clothing.If you remain calm when a bee orwasp lands on your skin to inspecta smell or to get water if you aresweating heavily, the insect eventuallywill leave of its own accord. If youdont want to wait for it to leave, gentlyand slowly brush it away with a pieceof paper. When swimming in pools,

watch out for bees or wasps trappedon the surface of the water. If you ndbees or wasps in the water, its best toremove them to avoid being stung.

Stinging incidents often occur whennesting areas of social insects aredisturbed. Be observant of the areaaround you. If you see insects yingto and from a particular place, avoidit. If you are going to be in an areawhere disturbing a nest is likely, wearlong pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Itmight be a good idea to carry a military

surplus, collapsible mosquito/gnat veilwith you. Stinging insects often yaround the top of their targets. Becausestings in the face can be disorienting,put on the veil, or pull a portion of yourshirt over your head, and run away.Be sure that you can see where youare going. Insect repellent applied toyour skin or clothing wont deter thesestinging insects.


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REFERENCES

Ebeling, W. 1978. Urban Entomology.Oakland: Univ. Calif. Agric. Nat. Res.Also available online, http://www.entomology.ucr.edu/ebeling/.

Mussen, E. R. May 2011. Pest Notes:Yellowjackets and Other Social Wasps.Oakland: Univ. Calif. Agric. Nat. Res.

Publ. 7450. Also available online athttp://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7450.html.

Russell, F. E. 1991. Venomous arthropods.Vet. Hum. Toxicol. 33(5):505508.

Schmidt, J. O. 1992. Allergy to venomousinsects. In J. Graham, ed. The Hive and theHoney Bee. Hamilton, IL: Dadant & Sons. v

AUTHOR:E. C. Mussen, Entomology, UC

Davis.

TECHNICAL EDITOR: M. L. Flint

EDITOR: M. L. Fayard

ILLUSTRATIONS:Figs. 12, J. K. Clark;

and Fig. 3, K. K. Garvey.

This and other Pest Notes are available at

www.ipm.ucdavis.edu.

For more information, contact the University of

California Cooperative Extension ofce in your

county. See your telephone directory for addresses

and phone numbers, or visit http://ucanr.org/ce.cfm.

WARNING ON THE USE OF CHEMICALSPesticides are poisonous. Always read and carefully follow all precautions and safety recommendations

given on the container label. Store all chemicals in the original, labeled containers in a locked cabinet or shed,away from food or feeds, and out of the reach of children, unauthorized persons, pets, and livestock.

Pesticides applied in your home and landscape can move and contaminate creeks, rivers, and oceans.Conne chemicals to the property being treated. Avoid drift onto neighboring properties, especially gardenscontaining fruits or vegetables ready to be picked.

Do not place containers containing pesticide in the t rash or pour pesticides down the sink or toilet. Either usethe pesticide according to the label, or take unwanted pesticides to a Household Hazardous Waste Collectionsite. Contact your county agricultural commissioner for additional information on safe container disposal andfor the location of the Household Hazardous Waste Collection site nearest you. Dispose of empty containersby following label directions. Never reuse or burn the containers or dispose of them in such a manner thatthey may contaminate water supplies or natural waterways.

ANR NONDISCRIMINATION AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICY STATEMENTThe University of California prohibits discrimination or harassment of any person in any of its programs

or activities. The complete nondiscrimination policy statement can be found at http://ucanr.org/sites/anrstaff/les/107734.doc. Inquiries regarding the universitys equal employment opportunity policies may be directedto Linda Marie Manton, Afrmative Action Contact, University of California, Davis, Agriculture and NaturalResources, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, (530) 752-0495.

Produced by UC Statewide

Integrated Pest Management ProgramUniversity of California, Davis, CA 95616

University of California scientists and otherqualied professionals have anonymously peerreviewed this publication for technical accuracy. TheANR Associate Editor for Urban Pest Managementmanaged this review process.

To simplify information, trade names of productshave been used. No endorsement of named productsis intended, nor is criticism implied of similar productsthat are not mentioned.

This material is partially based upon worksupported by the Extension Service, U.S. Departmentof Agriculture, under special project Section 3(d),Integrated Pest Management.

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Bee & Wasp Stings