Bumblebee Sting: What To Do? Don’t Panic!
Bumblebees are pollinating insects of great importance, both economically and ecologically. Although they have remarkable similarities to bees, they can be easily recognized because they are quite large (15-25 millimeters in length), have a body covered with hair and are colored in yellow, orange, black and white. Be careful and be very cautious of any bumblebee stings.
The hairs on their abdomen create a particular pattern of stripes. Other characteristic features are represented by the rounded tip of their abdomen and the loud buzz they emit. It is this vibrating hum that makes it easier for them to collect pollen.
In Spain, 37 species of bumblebee have been cataloged, belonging to the genus Bombus . The most common species is that of Bombus terrestris , which nests in the earth. In the Canaries there is an abundance of Bombus canariensis , completely black and with a white abdomen.
Recently, in Spain, some groups of experts in ecology have noticed a decrease in the number of specimens affecting nine species and two subspecies of bumblebee. Since bumblebees are important flower pollinators, their presence is considered of great utility and their conservation plays an important role, from an economic point of view.
Are bumblebees aggressive?
In general, bumblebees are not particularly aggressive and only sting to defend themselves and their nests. Unlike bees, which lose their sting after a single sting, bumblebees retain their tool and have the ability to sting multiple times.
Just like bees, however, only the workers and the queen have a stinger. For this reason, a bumblebee sting is usually a very rare phenomenon.
Consequences of bumblebee sting
Bumblebees inject poison through their sting. In humans, the most frequent reaction is short-lived pain. However, it is also possible that you will experience an allergic reaction to the poison that has been injected.
In general, the reaction depends on the amount of times one is stung and the allergic sensitivity to the venom presented by the victim. The reactions that can occur are the following:
- Non-allergic, localized reaction. Swelling, itching and redness occur at the site of the sting. Symptoms usually last from a few hours to a few days. They can appear immediately after the sting, but usually appear a few hours after the event.
- Allergic reaction, generalized. Depending on the number of stings, a general allergic reaction may develop. In this case the phenomenon involves the whole body and, if it provokes an anaphylactic reaction, it can have a fatal effect.
What can we do to avoid bumblebee stings?
One of the best ways to avoid bumblebee stings is to stay away from their nests or any flowers or other plants they tend to visit.
In some cases, you may not be aware that you are near a bumblebee nest. Consequently, if you notice that you are near a nest, some general attitudes that you must (or must not) adopt are the following :
- If a colony is disturbed, you must slowly walk away by covering your face with both hands. Keep calm and remember that bumblebees are not very aggressive. Don’t move your arms, don’t crush bumblebees, and don’t accidentally hit their nest. Move slowly and carefully as you move away from the place they are trying to protect.
- If bumblebees sting you, remove them from your body, don’t crush them and quickly escape the area. If possible, cover and protect your head.
- You must remember that bumblebees can react aggressively to a large number of smells, including those of alcohol, sweat, perfume, etc. Likewise, they are attracted to the smell of oxidized material belonging to metal accessories such as rings and watches. They can sting through clothing; moreover, we know that even the light blue color is part of the stimuli that attracts bumblebees.
Treatment of non-allergic reaction to bumblebee sting
Bumblebee stings usually do not require medical intervention; however, it is advisable to take an anti-inflammatory after the sting. Applying cold packs and itch-fighting products to the affected area offers some relief.
If the puncture was made on the area of the mouth or pharynx, it is advisable to go to the emergency room as a precaution, since the airways could become blocked.
Treatment of the allergic reaction
If the bumblebee sting causes an allergic reaction, medical attention is required. For this reason, it is recommended that you go to a hospital for observation, as the reaction can worsen over the course of minutes.
Medical treatment includes, in the presence of mild manifestations, the administration of antihistamines. Sometimes the use of corticosteroids is prescribed, but in case of severe manifestations of allergic reactions, it will be necessary to administer, first of all, adrenaline.
Bumblebees are essential for our ecosystem: without these wonderful insects, in fact, we could not survive.
A good strategy to avoid bumblebee stings is to use a beekeeper’s veil and hat. This advice is particularly useful in summer and autumn, periods during which certain actions are carried out, such as cutting weeds.
