Stings

‘Let the bee be, and the bee will let you be.’

Bees are wild creatures, but relax, they’re not plotting to kill you. Honey bees are not aggressive insects. They don’t go around attacking for no reason, because they will die shortly after stinging humans. Bee stings have tiny barbs that get stuck in our  skin and the bee bleeds to death.

Photo of sting by Richard Toft, Landcare Research (a micron is a millionth of a metre)

Safety tips:

1. Don’t disturb bees. They usually sting when threatened or defending their hive. They don’t normally sting when on flowers.

2. If you do get stung, remove the stinger by gently scraping it sideways, maybe with your finger nail. Never pinch the stinger to pull it out – that injects more poison.

3. You should also move away from the area – a sting releases a banana-like scent that attracts other bees – or cover up the bit that’s been stung. Don’t run and wave your arms because bees react to frenzied movements.