Easy Ways of Protection from Wasps and Bees

Wasps and bees can deliver potentially fatal stings if attack on person. Wasps are generally yellow, brown or black with or without stripes. These are more aggressive than bees. Wasps can sting more than once on the other hand bees sting only once. Bees are generally brown and black colour. These insects are typically more aggressive when in swarms. The main danger is that if the sting is affected near the face or throat, the severe swelling which can arise from more than one sting can block the airways and impede breathing. Some individuals are allergic to stings and even one sting can prove life-threatening. The insects leave a sting after attack which is essentially a hollow tube through which the venom stored within the abdomen is squirted once it attaches to the skin of the victim. Bee venom is ~1.5 - 15 times stronger toxically than hornet venom. The poison component that leads to 50% of cases of death in rats, amounts to 6mg poison per kg body weight whereas the same for hornets range from 12mg/kg to 85mg/kg

Precaution is the best to protect from wasps and bees stings. Where possible avoids the wasps and bees. Recognize common habitats such as shady bushes, moist humid surroundings, and thick forest canals in wet seasons. Bees and wasps get aggressive during wet season mating and this is the most common time in the year when maximum numbers of stings reported. Bees and wasps have routine flight paths so it is easily avoided after careful watching the forest. Stay away from the nests and hives of wasps and bees. They would attack in self-defence or for the defence of the nest and hive. Stay away from fires in forest which can disturb the bees and wasps and make them aggressive as they feel people come for honey collection.

Personal protection is important to protect from wasp and bees stings. Long sleeved, collared shirts of thick clothing are the best clothes. Gloves, shoes, glasses are personal protection wears which are suggested to use in areas where number of wasps and bees are high in tropical forest. The flora patterned and bright colour clothing attract the insects so it is better to avoid such type of clothes while out in the forest. Perfumes, after-shave, deodorants also attract insects because bees and wasp feel of flowers and attract towards peoples. In the event of a stinging insect coming near you or landing on you, do not panic. Move slowly away in the opposite direction. Sometimes flapping of arms, hands make the insects aggressive and they attack in protection.

If the wasps or bees attack on person the initial management of sting victim is to remove bee stinger from sting site by gently scraping with a fingernail, blunt blade to prevent further venom injection from attached venom sac and do not squeeze with fingers. Second step is to wash site with mild soap and water. Apply ice packs with 8-10% ammonia solution to reduce pain. Weak baking soda solution also helps in reducing the pain and give respite to victim. Other important thing to remember keeps the affected part of the body above the level of heart while transferring to doctor. To adopt suggested ways one could save life of bees and wasps attacked victim.