Have you ever heard that bees hate people dressed in black?
Let’s start with the basics: if you are not allergic to bee venom, the risk of dying is low. For example, once in the American city of Florence, a swarm of Africanized honey bees, also called killer bees, attacked a pensioner in a wheelchair – the man received 250 stings, but remained alive. It is true that he had to inject morphine because the pain was so intense. So, in the event of a swarm attack, it is better to act – this is what experts advise.
Run!
“Run as fast as possible in a straight line – this will help you cover the maximum distance in search of shelter. Aggressive bees can fly at 20 mph, but the swarm is not that fast and you will be very motivated,” says James Nie, an ecology professor who studies bee behavior.
Seek shelter
You should not expect the bees to get tired of hunting at any point: if they attack, the main task is to find a place where they can hide. “Look for a room or a car with the windows closed. Avoid shelters that may have openings, such as barns. Their use is a last resort,” says Nie.
Don’t try to keep the bees away
As beekeeper Erica Thompson explains, you should instead cover your mouth, nose and eyes – on the one hand, this will stop you from waving your arms (which will only irritate the bees), and on the other hand, it will reduce the amount of exhaled carbon dioxide, which irritates insects.
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“Bees generally target dark areas of the body: the mouth, nose and eyes. Perhaps it is because of this that a myth arose that black clothes can provoke insect aggression. But in reality, the swarm will attack if you invade its territory, no matter what color T-shirt you are wearing,” says James.
Don’t jump into the water
They’ll simply sting you when you come up for air: angry bees will wait for their prey, stalking it with floating carbon dioxide bubbles. “The situation can become dire: adrenaline and panic will make you breathe more frequently, and bees can fly into your mouth and sting you from the inside. The risk of drowning in such a situation is very high,” Nie warns.
When you hide, take out the stings
Attached to the stinger is a small sac of venom that releases a unique odor that alerts other bees to the threat. “The sooner you get rid of them, the fewer insects you will attract,” says James. Additionally, removing the stingers will reduce the amount of venom that enters your body. Don’t pinch the skin when removing them – this way you can squeeze the contents of the bag into the skin.
If there are a lot of bee stings, go to the hospital
Treatment will likely include antihistamines, epinephrine (adrenaline), and cortisone to reduce inflammation and improve breathing.
Single bee stings can be treated at home with a cold compress, anti-itch cream and antihistamine tablets. You should consult a doctor if swelling appears not only in the places where the bites were, but if you experience stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea and hives. This can mean a mild allergic reaction that appears within half an hour after the stings and can last for hours.
Read also: Nature wanted it differently: why bees die after stinging a person
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Source: The Voice Mag
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
