Workers usually live about a month. Males and new queens are generally produced in late summer. Bumble bees are not as defensive or as numerous as honey bees; however, the females are capable of stinging repeatedly. They are similar to other species of social bees and wasps because they normally attack and sting only when their nest is disturbed. Immediately after treatment, the ground opening should be closed with soil. Sweat bees are a few species in the family Halictidae also called halictid bees.
This family contains bees that are relatively small and metallic often shiny green Figure 6. Figure 6. Adult sweat bees feed on nectar and pollen and during the summer and may be seen with impressive pollen loads on their hind legs as they return to their nest with food for immatures larvae.
Founding females dig branching burrows in bare soil on flat surfaces to vertical banks. The female provisions cells at the end of each branch of tunnels with pollen balls and nectar.
She lays her eggs in the ends of the provisioned tunnels and the developing larvae feed on the balls of pollen and nectar. Sweat bees usually overwinter as larvae or pupae in burrows in the soil. Females can sting, but the sting is considered by most people to be mildly painful. Stings commonly occur when one tries to brush them off their body. The venom of social bees contains active compounds that cause intense pain along with swelling and redness. Consequently, stings around the head, eyes and neck are especially serious.
Of even greater importance, however, is the possibility of allergic reactions to the venom from just one sting. Such reactions may range from a large local reaction to a very serious, sometimes fatal, anaphylactic shock response. A severe i. These complications in allergic individuals can happen very quickly, within 10 to 30 minutes of a sting, and most deaths occur within one hour. Estimates of deaths in the U. Although stinging deaths from insects constitute a minor health problem, it is estimated that at least 2.
Unfortunately, medical allergists cannot accurately predict who among this hypersensitive population may have a life-threatening reaction upon the next sting. If you are stung, wash the actual sting site with soap and water to minimize the possibility of secondary infection and apply ice packs or a baking soda or meat tenderizer in a water paste to reduce the amount of venom uptake, pain and local swelling. Immediate injection of epinephrine is the initial step in combating a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.
Most physicians recommend that persons with demonstrated hypersensitivity wear an identification tag and carry a small sting emergency kit containing antihistamines and a syringe of epinephrine. People at especially high risk of a fatal reaction should consult their physician to consider desensitization procedures that allow for gradually building up a tolerance to venom, thereby reducing the likelihood of a serious systemic reaction. Learn about equipment necessary to begin beekeeping and the options and costs of the various items.
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Soilless Growing Mediums Learn about the different soilless growing mediums. People experiencing anaphylaxis should seek immediate medical attention.
Africanized bees defend their colony and attack when threatened. The Africanized worker bees gather both pollen and nectar from flowers to feed to the larvae and other members of the colony.
They have been known to live in tires, crates, boxes, and empty cars. Africanized killer bee venom is no more dangerous than regular honeybees.
Often, Africanized killer bees swarm, causing multiple stings during an attack. Because killer bees have barbed stingers, the stinger often becomes lodged in the skin. If the stinger becomes lodged in the skin at the site of the sting, it is important to remove it as quickly as possible to curb the release of venom from the stinger. To remove the stinger, swipe the edge of a flat object like a credit card across the black stinger in the center of the welt until the stinger is dislodged.
When a sting occurs, it is important to clean the affected area thoroughly with soap and cold water and apply a cold compress or ice pack.
Over the counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used as needed to relieve pain. Antihistamines and hydrocortisone ointment can help soothe the local reaction. If the local reaction worsens, see a doctor for prescription oral steroids or antihistamines. If a more serious reaction occurs, seek emergency medical assistance or call Those who have known allergies to Africanized killer bees or other stinging insects should acquire epinephrine kits, learn how to use them and carry them at all times.
The National Pest Management Association is sharing helpful information about stinging insects and tips to prevent any painful stings this summer. Although the Asian giant hornet may not pose a significant threat to most Americans, the National Pest Management Association NPMA is reminding the public about the serious health threats that native stinging insects pose to the entire country.
Everything you need to know about Asian giant hornets and whether they currently pose a threat in the U. Here's how to identify different stinging insect species based on their nests. When it comes to stinging insects, it is important to know which species you are dealing with and the threats they may pose.
While both kinds of bees will protect the hive if attacked, the intensity of the response is very different. A European honey bee defense will usually include 10 to 20 guard bees to respond to a threat within 20 yards of the hive. An African honey bee response would send several hundred bees with a range six times greater of up to yards. Killer bees react quicker, attack in greater numbers, and pursue a threat longer than other honey bees. African bees will respond to a threat in less than five seconds, while the calmer European bees may take 30 seconds to react.
A victim of a killer bee attack may suffer 10 times as many stings as from a European honey bee attack. Killer bees also tend to stay agitated longer. European honey bees usually calm down after about 20 minutes of being agitated. Meanwhile, their African cousins can remain upset several hours following a defensive incident.
African bees live on the move, swarming much more frequently than European bees. Swarming is when a queen leaves a hive and tens of thousands of worker bees follow in order to find and form a new hive. African bees have a tendency to have smaller nests that they will more readily abandon. They swarm from six to 12 times a year. A disturbed colony may result in — stings.
Table 2. Can swarm 10 or more times a year. Swarms are larger and need larger volume to nest. Swarms contain fewer individuals, and therefore a much smaller cavity is needed Figure 3. Rarely abscond completely abandon nest from nesting location. Abscond often and relocate to more suitable nesting locations. Table 3. Nest in smaller cavities, 1 to 5 gallons in size.
Typically nest in dry, above ground cavities. Will nest in underground cavities with a high moisture content. Nest in protected locations, rarely exposing the nest Figure 5. Will nest in exposed locations, e. Due to larger colony size, nests are often easier to detect.
Due to smaller colony size, nests often go undetected until disturbed. Related Topics Africanized Honey Bee. Contacts Amy Vu James Ellis.
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