Photo: SXC

Since these wasps tend to build their nests around the house and yard, you’ll want to be alert as you begin fall clean up tasks near your home’s foundation. If you do disturb a nest, run. Yellow Jackets are not mellow like bees and won’t hesitate to attack, especially if they are already feeling cranky because they are in food gathering and reproduction modes. Even worse is the fact that, unlike honey bees, yellow jackets can sting you over and over.

If you discover yellow jackets nesting near your house, call an exterminator to come deal with them. While killing them yourself is possible, it involves late night maneuvers and carefully aimed flash light beams. As far as I am concerned, it so isn’t worth the risk to do it yourself!

Post from: Blisstree

Watch for Wasps in the Fall

You know, bees really don’ t want to sting you. It is suicide on their part and they know it. You don’t really want to get stung either but sometimes worlds collide and there it is. Pain, suffering, and in the case of the bee, death.

There is nothing that can be done for the bee other than maybe a quick bon voyage… but there are some things that will help with the pain, and possible reactions from bee stings.

First, a dose of Benadryl is a great idea. Doing that first thing may stave off any possible allergic reaction.

Scrape the stinger out rather than pulling it out. By scraping it you will be able to remove it with the venom sac intact. Pulling it breaks the sac and releases the venom…which causes the most pain. Use your fingernail, a drivers license or a dull knife to scrape across the skin.

Slap some mud on it. This will help until you can get home and deal with it. And mud is available everywhere.

For pain relief try one of these remedies:

• Adolph’s Meat Tenderizer -make a paste and dab on the area. Allow to remain there.
• Baking soda- same as above
• Rub with household ammonia
• A drop or two of lavender essential oil rubbed on the area
• 30x Apis homeopathic remedy. One tablet under the tongue every 15 minutes for up to 2 hours, or until pain is relieved.

When to Seek Medical Help

Up to 100 people die every year from allergic reactions to bee stings. Allergies can develop over time so even if you have never been allergic before you can suddenly have a reaction to a bee sting. If you have been stung by a bee and experience any of these signs head for the emergency room:

• Trouble breathing
• Tightness in the throat or chest
• Dizziness
• Nausea or other symptoms of serious allergic reaction.
• If the swelling spreads
• Pain and swelling continue for more than 72 hours without any relief

Image:Morguefile

Post from: Blisstree

Best Treatment for a Bee Sting