Tips to avoid being stung, and what to do if you are
It is important to be calm and sensible if you are in a situation with bees that makes you feel unsafe.
Len Boucher, chairman of the Southerns Bee Keeping Association said bees are not pests, they are a highly developed species of the animal world and contribute specifically to the sustainability of our eco-system.
He runs a large beekeeping community with hives throughout the city. He is s a good person to call if you need a swarm rehomed if it is in a dangerous place, such as in someone’s garden when there is a person who is allergic to bee stings living nearby.
According to Boucher, we need to encourage bees in our green spaces, but equally important to know what to do to avoid being stung by them. Bees will not generally sting randomly but will if they feel they need to protect themselves, their homes and food sources.
Here are some tips by Boucher to avoid being stung:
- Remain calm and do not swat the bee away as it may make it feel threatened.
- Bees will sometimes enter fizzy drinks cans to consume the sugary syrup as a substitute for nectar. Cover your drink if you notice bees flying near you.
- Never provoke a swarm of bees or damage their hives.
- If you find yourself in a serious situation when bees are stinging, get yourself out of the way and into a safe area.
- If a pet is stung, remove it to a safe area and cover it with a blanket to protect it. If it has been badly stung, take it to a vet.
- Never grip the sting sac between your fingers to remove it as you will force in more of the stinging poison. Take a sharp blade and scrape off the sting.
Related article:
Do you want to join the beekeeping community in Johannesburg?
