When bumblebees sting – what to do if a bumblebee stings?

They wear fur and are out and about in nature in spring from as little as 2 degrees Celsius. Bumblebees are much more peaceful than their related bees, wasps and hornets. However, no one is completely immune to a bumblebee sting. If various unfavorable factors come together, the big buggers use their defensive spikes with painful consequences. Don’t just ask yourself in an emergency: What to do in the event of a bumblebee sting? With the right information, you have a clear advantage. Find out all the important steps to effectively relieve pain and swelling here.

Characteristics

  • Insect family Real bees (Apidae)
  • Genus bumblebees (Bombus)
  • State-forming hymenoptera (Hymenoptera)
  • Average bumblebee colony with 60 to 500 members
  • Queen and workers equipped with barbed spikes
  • Body length of the queen up to 23 millimeters
  • Densely hairy body with yellow-black markings
  • Life expectancy worker: 3-4 weeks, queen: 12 months
  • Bumblebees are a protected species under the Federal Nature Conservation Act

Of the 250 known bumblebee species, around 70 live in Central Europe, of which a total of 36 are found in Germany. Only trained entomologists can make a visual distinction. For private individuals, a differentiation is not relevant anyway, since bumblebees do not differ noticeably in terms of their defensive behavior.

Symptoms after a bumblebee sting

If a bumblebee stings , the mishap leaves no one unnoticed. However, the extent of the symptoms depends on the sensitivity of the person concerned:

  • A short, pronounced pain can be felt
  • The pain is intensified by a burning sensation
  • There is swelling around the puncture site
  • The swollen region turns red and itches intensely

Experience has shown that this reaction occurs without a time delay. However, it has been reported that the symptoms presented gradually developed over a period of 2 to 6 hours. That should rather be seen as an exception.

immediate measures

If the sting of a bumblebee is not in the throat or mouth area, a doctor’s consultation is usually not necessary (as a non-allergic reaction). Hardened victims simply wait for the symptoms to subside. However, it is not necessary to torment yourself with the after-effects of a bumblebee sting for a long time. The following immediate measures contribute significantly to relief:

  • Place a freshly cut onion slice on the swelling
  • Run ice-cold tap water over the bumblebee sting
  • Apply ice compresses or ice packs
  • Dab with lemon juice
  • Top with freshly grated horseradish

If the puncture site is near the eye, onions, lemon juice or ice packs have no place here. In this case, an anti-inflammatory painkiller with acetylsalicylic acid provides relief, provided the person concerned is familiar with the preparation and is well tolerated. The pharmacist also has antipruritic ointments that can be applied near the eyes.

Note: There is no need to panic, the pain is short-lived. A bumblebee’s stinger does not get stuck in the skin, so no further venom is released like a bee stinger.

Ease discomfort naturally with Retterspitz

The followers of traditional healing methods on a natural basis swear by Retterspitz’s vitamin gel. Founded by Margarete Retterspitz at the end of the 19th century, the family business still supplies a large number of medicinal and care products to this day. All are based on ingredients of natural origin, preferably essential oils. In addition to the classic Ritterspitz healing water, experts recommend applying the vitamin gel in the event of a bumblebee sting. Thanks to the cooling effect, pain and itching subside quickly without stressing the skin with chemical agents.

Acetic clay helps with a bumblebee sting

Those who prefer to rely on the power of nature to heal ailments always have acetic clay at hand. As early as 1977, the World Health Organization included the preparation in the list of essential medicines. Acetic clay is preferred for relieving pain from a bruise or sprain. In addition, the agent has proven to be excellent in the treatment of insect bites. How to apply aluminum diacetate:

  • A quarter liter of cold water
  • 2 tablespoons acetic clay

Mix both ingredients together and apply to the bumblebee sting. The mixture is not suitable if the Hummel victim could not resist the itching and scratched the puncture site.

How high-tech helps with a bumblebee sting

Allergies continue to spread. This applies not only to an insect bite, but also to natural and chemical preparations. What to do with a bumblebee sting if the person affected is allergic to lemon juice, acetic clay, essential oils or similar substances? In this case, modern technology comes into play with a device that is as ingenious as it is simple, called a stitch healer. The manufacturer promises a smooth recovery and a decrease in swelling. In addition, the annoying itching should be noticeably reduced. The sting healer works without any additives, certainly not of chemical origin. Only heat is used for treatment after a bumblebee sting. The batteries generate a voltage of 3.6 volts. A battery is not required.

  • Press the pen-like device with the heating surface lightly onto the stitch
  • The target temperature is reached after approx. 10 seconds
  • The treatment time is 6 seconds on average

The Sting Healer works purely on a thermal basis. A temperature between 49 and 53 degrees Celsius is produced for a few seconds, which causes a partial decomposition of the poison components. The integrated microprocessor controls the unit, with two levels of sensitivity to choose from for children and adults.

How to recognize an allergic reaction

Only 2-3 percent of people suffer from an allergy to insect bites from bumblebees, bees, wasps or hornets. A single sting usually does not trigger the body’s defense reaction. Sometimes a second or third sting is enough to start the anaphylactic reaction. The extent to which a bumblebee sting causes such a fatal result can be seen from the following signs:
It is differentiated according to four degrees of severity, which escalate from 1 to 4.

  • First degree: itching, reddening of the skin and hives all over the body
  • Second degree: in addition to degree 1 – gastrointestinal complaints with vomiting and diarrhea
  • Third degree: complementary to degrees 1 and 2 – shortness of breath, accompanied by fear of suffocation
  • Fourth degree: in addition to degrees 1, 2 and 3 – fainting, tachycardia, sweating, tremors, dizziness

If the sufferer was already aware of the allergy, they usually carry an emergency kit with them for treatment in an emergency. If the allergy only becomes apparent through the bumblebee sting, it belongs in the capable hands of a doctor immediately.

Avoid conflict situations

It doesn’t have to get to the point where bumblebees sting. Insects are probably the most peaceful genus within the real bee insect family. They only stab when they see no other way out. Until then, bumblebees always announce the sting by turning on their backs, raising their barbs and buzzing loudly. The following behaviors and measures contribute significantly to conflict avoidance.

  • Never hit at a bumblebee
  • Remain calm as she settles on your body
  • Wait or wipe or shake with a gentle motion
  • Do not breathe on bumblebees
  • Never block the trajectory for a long period of time
  • Protect open windows with fly screens
  • Do not use any perfumed care products

Loud music, loud talking or singing, on the other hand, do not bother bumblebees. Even a flashlight doesn’t faze her. It is usually a busy worker looking for food for the brood. Under no circumstances does the insect go out in a bad mood to take out its frustration on a person.

sensitive zones

An encounter with bumblebees is difficult to avoid during the summer months. As a rule, contact is reduced to a few seconds before humans and insects return to their task. In the following areas, however, increased attention is recommended because a concentrated occurrence of bumblebees is to be expected here:

  • garbage cans
  • waste baskets
  • compost heap
  • orchards and flower meadows

Anyone who likes to walk barefoot should refrain from this hobby on a meadow with fallen fruit. Bumblebees love to nibble on fallen apples, pears, plums or cherries. In addition, the insects like to cavort near flowers and flowering herbs because they collect the pollen.

Tip: Only switch on the light in living rooms in the evening when all the windows are closed.

Food hazard

A bumblebee mainly focuses on pollen in its daily search for food. The working day of a worker is up to 18 hours while she flies to up to 1000 flowers. If you get in the way of a richly set coffee table with all the sugary foods, don’t let this opportunity pass by. It is therefore highly advisable to store food insect-proof. Food is always covered and drinks are served in sealed containers. This precautionary measure applies not only to the coffee table, but also to the barbecue buffet in the evening. For example, most barbecue sauces contain sugar, as do ham or pre-seasoned meat specialties.

Beverage cans and opaque bottles are a source of danger that should not be underestimated. If a bumblebee gets lost in it, it will get into your throat with the next sip and will inevitably sting you there. Nobody should drink directly from the can, even if it is permanently covered

Kira Bellingham

I'm a homes writer and editor with more than 20 years' experience in publishing. I have worked across many titles, including Ideal Home and, of course, Homes & Gardens. My day job is as Chief Group Sub Editor across the homes and interiors titles in the group. This has given me broad experience in interiors advice on just about every subject. I'm obsessed with interiors and delighted to be part of the Homes & Gardens team.

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