texasmama Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 I've had two hives since June with no incident. However, I did the same thing I do often (change out front hive sugar syrup jars) and received two stings for my trouble yesterday. I have one on the back of my right calf and one on my left forearm. I removed the stingers quickly, and they only hurt initially, but now they are hot, swollen, hard, large and itch like the dickens! It is like a thousand mosquitoes bit me! I am putting hydrocortisone ointment on it and plan to take some Benadryl tonight. Bad bees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flowing Brook Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 I keep bees as well. Whenever I get stung I soak the area with baking soda and salt. If I do this the next day I do not even know I have been stung. Last year I got stung over thirty times. I took a bath in baking soda and salt. The next day you would have never known I was stung. It is truly an awesome remedy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critterfixer Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 No! Good bees! I noticed that with my two hives when they reached critical mass they started to get aggressive. I considered it a very good sign that the hives were strong enough to want to defend themselves. I will say that as I've been stung about four times now the stings are not nearly so bad as they were at the beginning. I took one right through the glove Sunday and it didn't even blow up on me. I think I did hit it with sting-ease when I got in, but it never even itched. Of course, that could have been related to the age of the bee. The guard bees are much more toxic. I'd take your Benedryl tonight and take some Claritin in the morning. It's not as good as Benedryl, but it does help and won't leave you feeling half-asleep. So glad to find some other bee-keepers around here. I was beginning to think I was the only one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted August 21, 2013 Author Share Posted August 21, 2013 Thanks for the baking soda and salt tip. I had no idea! I need to do a hive inspection anyway so I will see if they are at critical mass. It was my own darn fault. I had just taken a scented bubble bath and was wearing dark clothes. It was also about 8 pm, not the best time. They have always been very gentle, though, so it took me by surprise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 I found my bees got aggressive when it was super hot or when the natural food supply was short. I tended to stay away from my hive during those times rather than getting them all uptight. I always use baking soda on my bee stings, works like a charm. Hope you feel better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critterfixer Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 It's sort of funny the things that will set a hive off. I sort of miss being able to just go up and mess around with my bees. (Sniff.) They are pretty good girls, but I wouldn't try them without a suit and veil right now. They allow me to go up and observe them from the side of the hive, and I can get right up close to them when I'm working out in that area, but they make it pretty clear that they don't want me near the front doors anymore. And I'd say they are some of the most gentle bees I've met. My father has one hive that is even more sweet-natured, right next to the most evil hive he's got. :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted August 21, 2013 Author Share Posted August 21, 2013 It is hot but the weather is not stormy. I'm soaking my stings right now with cloths soaked in salt and baking soda. This is not like them so I hope they aren't breaking bad. : D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 I had a wild hive in the backyard a few summers ago; they would buzz me a bit when I got too close with the lawn mower, but as long as I stayed about ten feet away, they never got too upset. I never got stung. They picked up and left one day; I miss them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 This is not like them so I hope they aren't breaking bad. : D Serves you right for naming one of them Heisenberg... ;) (I'm sorry you got stung! I have found that putting apple cider vinegar on a bee sting halts the pain immediately and reduces swelling and redness to practically nothing. I hope you feel better soon!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 Using meat tenderizer will help break down the proteins in the venom. PIck up some inexpensive unseasoned meat tenderizer mix a bit of it with water when you have a sting and apply it right away as a paste to the sting. It the papain in the tenderizer that makes the difference over other treatments, but needs to be done ASAP. Watch for signs of celulitis if the injury is still getting worse on days 2 and beyond. Bees can pick up bacteria and then introduce it under your skin when you get stung. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 Using meat tenderizer will help break down the proteins in the venom. PIck up some inexpensive unseasoned meat tenderizer mix a bit of it with water when you have a sting and apply it right away as a paste to the sting. It the papain in the tenderizer that makes the difference over other treatments, but needs to be done ASAP. Watch for signs of celulitis if the injury is still getting worse on days 2 and beyond. Bees can pick up bacteria and then introduce it under your skin when you get stung. I read your first sentence and just about fell off my chair. The only meat tenderizer I know is a metal mallet with a spiky side that I bash the meat with before cooking. I was imagining someone bashing their leg with it to stop a bee sting from itching! :ohmy: Then I read on and am now thinking it must be some sort of powder thing you guys put on meat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 we have bees. They are so much fun. we have had our share of stings. If you get stings regularly enough you can build up an immunity to them ( apparently I am still working on that part), and if you get enough stings all in the one place at the same time the area goes completely numb and you don't feel any pain ( don't ever take off safety equipment at the hive when a bee goes down your boot) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 I read your first sentence and just about fell off my chair. The only meat tenderizer I know is a metal mallet with a spiky side that I bash the meat with before cooking. I was imagining someone bashing their leg with it to stop a bee sting from itching! :ohmy: Then I read on and am now thinking it must be some sort of powder thing you guys put on meat? LOL yes, it is a powder that is sold to use on meat. LOL Yes, please only use the powder....not the spiky meat mallet! :smash: The mallet may make you forget about the bee sting, but not really help it get better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 I read your first sentence and just about fell off my chair. The only meat tenderizer I know is a metal mallet with a spiky side that I bash the meat with before cooking. I was imagining someone bashing their leg with it to stop a bee sting from itching! :ohmy: Then I read on and am now thinking it must be some sort of powder thing you guys put on meat? LOL yes, it is a powder that is sold to use on meat. LOL Yes, please only use the powder....not the spiky meat mallet! :smash: The mallet may make you forget about the bee sting, but not really help it get better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammi K Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 :smash: The mallet may make you forget about the bee sting, but not really help it get better! :smilielol5: :smilielol5: :smilielol5: :smilielol5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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