It takes at least several hundred bee stings to kill a person. For an average-weight person, a lethal dose of bee venom is 0.2 g, which corresponds to a sting of 250-500 bees.
Does a bee attack for no reason?
To begin with, it should be noted that a bee will not attack a person without reason. It stings only in the most extreme case, and only for its own protection. Therefore, the worst thing you can do when meeting with a bee is to start waving your hands. This way you will only attract its attention and provoke a sting.
After the sting, the bee dies and this is rather good news: wasps, for example, can attack more than once. The insect dies because the serrations on the stinger cling to soft skin. By making sharp jerks to free itself, the bee rips out its sting and with it a part of its intestines, and then it dies.
You should not kill the bee at the moment of stinging, because its body will then release a special substance that acts as an alarm signal and causes rage in its congeners. As a result, you may be attacked by other bees.
Can a bee sting kill you?
A person with an allergy to bee venom can also die from a single bee sting. It is also dangerous when the sting is embedded in the lip area, soft or hard palate, or tongue. In this case, there is a pronounced local reaction in the form of severe swelling, which can block the upper airways, and the person simply suffocates. It is necessary to get the injured person to a doctor as soon as possible!
What does a bee sting feel like?
A bee sting is painful, with researchers comparing it to an open flame burn. But when it comes to the degree of pain, a bee sting is less painful than a wasp or hornet.
What should I do if I get stung by a bee?
- Disinfect your tweezers and gently remove the sting without touching the venom sac. If you squeeze the sting out of your skin, you will damage the sac and the venom will spread faster through your body.
- Since bee venom has an acidic pH value, you can neutralize it with an alkaline solution (for example, soapy water).
- After that, it is necessary to disinfect the sting site. Any antiseptic will do.
- In no case do not scratch the affected area, as it spreads the poison to the surrounding tissues and increases the risk of infection. To relieve pain and swelling, use a cold compress.
- After treating the wound, take an antihistamine, even if you have not had any allergic reactions before.
- You can use ointments with an antihistamine effect, they will help relieve the symptoms.
- Drink as much liquid as possible before the swelling goes down. Avoid drinking alcohol, as it may only make the swelling worse.
FAQ
How many bees does it take to kill you?
If you are not allergic to bee venom, it would take several hundred bees to kill you. But a sting to the lip, larynx, or tongue can cause severe swelling and a person won’t be able to breathe. It is advisable to avoid large numbers of bees and to avoid bee stings.
When are bees least active?
Bees are least active when temperatures are below 50°F, in rainy or foggy weather.
Can the queen bee sting?
Yes, a queen bee can sting a human several times. The queen bee’s sting has few serrations and so she does not die when she pulls it out of a person’s skin. But she does not leave the hive and prefers to use her long sting against other queens.
Bee stinger stuck under the skin?
The first thing to do after a bee sting is to rinse the sting to wash away any dirt and venom residue. If you can’t get the sting out gently with tweezers or fingernails, you can use a regular needle. The needle must be disinfected before use. After removing the stinger, you should treat the sting with antiseptic, take an antihistamine, and drink more fluids until the swelling goes down.