Why Do Bee Stings Hurt?

bee stings in Kalamazoo MI | Griffin Pest Solutions

Bee stings are tiny, so why do they hurt so much? There are a few reasons why. First, piercing your skin is never fun – it feels like getting a shot at the doctor’s office. The main reason, however, is what takes place afterward: bees deposit a small amount of venom into the sting. This venom can cause pain, irritation, and even severe allergic reactions in some.

That’s a basic explanation but there’s more to it than that. Let’s dive deeper and talk about everything you need to know about why bee stings hurt so much.

Why Does Bee Venom Hurt?

The scientific name for bee venom is “apitoxin”; it’s a complex mixture of protein substances that affect cellular function. The main active component in this substance is the peptide Melittin, consisting of 26 amino acids that destroy red blood cells. Not only that, but they activate pain receptors and contain anticoagulants that prevent the blood from clotting, which allows it to spread through the body faster and easier. Apitoxin by itself can cause immense discomfort, but when the mast cells die in response to it, cell death also triggers the release of histamine, and this can be quite painful too. 

In other words, bee venom is a perfect recipe for causing pain in people. Fortunately, for most people, the pain is relatively short-lived and not serious. Most people will start feeling better with a little bit of time or over-the-counter pain reliever.

However, there are people who experience severe allergic reactions to bee stings. This is caused by too much histamine release, which results in blood vessels becoming too dilated. This can lead to anaphylactic shock, which can be deadly. 

How to Make a Bee Sting Hurt Less

Experiencing a bee sting can be a painful and unsettling encounter. However, there are several simple measures you can take to alleviate the discomfort and promote quicker healing. By promptly addressing the sting and employing soothing remedies, you can mitigate the pain and irritation associated with bee stings:

  • Remove the stinger as soon as possible by scraping it out with a fingernail or a blunt-edged object. Avoid squeezing or pinching the stinger, as this may release more venom.
  • Wash the affected area with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection.
  • Apply a cold compress or ice pack to the sting site to numb the area and reduce swelling.
  • Consider using over-the-counter antihistamine creams or taking oral antihistamines to alleviate itching and inflammation.
  • Monitor for signs of an allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing or swelling of the face and throat. Seek immediate medical attention if these symptoms occur.

Do Bees Die When They Sting?

Yes. Honey bees have a barbed stinger. These barbs make the stinger impossible for bees to remove. They have to detach themselves from the stinger, which results in their death.

How to Avoid Bee Stings

Regardless of whether or not you’re allergic to bees, it’s never fun to sustain a sting. Here are some precautions you can take to minimize the risk of a bee sting:

  • Avoid wearing brightly colored clothing or floral patterns
  • Steer clear of heavily scented perfumes, lotions, and hair products
  • Be cautious when eating or drinking sweet substances outdoors, like soda
  • Keep food and drinks covered when dining outdoors 
  • Stay calm and still if a bee approaches you, try not to swat or move quickly
  • Be mindful of where you place your hands and feet when outdoors
  • If you encounter a bee’s nest or hive, maintain a safe distance
  • If you are allergic to bee stings, carry an epinephrine auto-injector with you
  • Work with a professional bee removal company to avoid nests nearby

Avoid Bee Stings with Professional Bee Control

If you discover bees on your property, it’s crucial to handle the situation with care. Disturbing a nest can provoke defensive behavior from the bees and increase the risk of stings. It’s best to leave the removal of a bee’s nest to professionals. 

If you need bee removal services, call us today for a quote!

Wasp Season in Michigan This Summer

Wasp resting on a tree branch

As you may have already noticed, it’s officially wasp season here in Michigan. Every summer, the wasp population peaks around July, and the pest becomes far more prevalent than usual. Wasp season begins by late June and continues until around late fall.

But what is “wasp season,” exactly? More importantly: how could it affect you? Here’s everything you should know about wasps in Michigan, including how to keep them away from you.  

What are wasps?

What are wasps?“Wasp” is actually a general term referring to a particular group of related insects in the Hymenoptera order. Wasps are any members of Hymenoptera that aren’t bees, ants, or sawflies. The most common and well-known wasps in Michigan are yellow jackets and paper wasps. Each of these types of wasp (rather infamously) resemble honey or bumblebees.

Though many types of wasps are solitary, most common Michigan wasps are eusocial, meaning they live together in colonies. Wasps are opportunistic scavengers and predators, feeding primarily on a wide variety of insects. They feed their young by hunting down prey and bringing it back to their nests repeatedly. Wasps are considered beneficial insects because they feed on many common garden pests. Adult wasps feed on natural sugars like ripe fruit, honeydew, and nectar.

What kinds of wasps are in Michigan?

Yellow jacket in MichiganIf you encounter a wasp this summer, chances are it will be a eusocial wasp from a nearby colony. Eusocial wasps in Michigan belong to two subfamilies: Polistinae (paper wasps) and Vespinae (yellow jackets). The most common paper wasps in Michigan are the Common paper wasp (Polistes fuscatus) and the European paper wasp (Polistes dominulus). There are twelve types of yellow jacket in Michigan. The most common are the German yellow jacket (Vespula germanica), Eastern yellow jacket (Vespula maculifrons), and Baldfaced hornet (Dolichovespula maculata).

Solitary wasps are not as prevalent as eusocial varieties, but there are still several types you may encounter. Cicada killers (Sphecius speciosus) are large digger wasps that nest on the ground. Mud dauber wasps like the Black and yellow mud dauber (Sceliphron caementarium) build nests in the mud. The invasive European woodwasp (Sirex noctilio) bores into the trunks of dead or dying trees. Paper wasps, yellow jackets, cicada killers, and mud daubers can all sting, but woodwasps cannot.

When are wasps most active?

Wasp activity in summerEusocial wasp colonies reach peak activity in midsummer. They spend spring and early summer looking for a good place to nest, laying eggs, and producing workers. The colony continues to ramp up its population growth aggressively through the summer. By July, colonies have produced hundreds of workers. These workers spend each day hunting for food to bring back to the nest. If there’s a nest near your home, you might encounter workers regularly during this period of colony development.

Wasp activity changes again in very late summer or fall. Eventually, queens stop laying worker eggs and produce a final brood of reproductive king or queen wasps instead. When these wasps leave the nest to build new colonies, the workers no longer have to worry about feeding larvae. Without their colony responsibilities to keep them near their nests, worker wasps range further than usual. They pursue sugary foods they can’t transport more frequently and sting more often, too.

Wasp (left) vs. Bee (right)

How can I tell wasps and bees apart?

Wasps (left, above) and bees (right, above), especially yellow jackets and paper wasp species, can look very similar. They’re both usually yellow and black, and they both range in size from ½ to 1” long. The easiest way to tell wasps and bees apart is by looking at the “texture” of their bodies. Bumblebees and honey bees look furry or “fuzzy,” because their abdomens are covered in fine, bright hair. Wasps, on the other hand, are hairless. They have hard, shiny, almost metallic-looking bodies that more closely resemble insect exoskeletons.

Wasps and bees also differ in shape, coloration, and behavior. Bees tend to be round or even plump in appearance, whereas wasps are more angular or thin. A bee’s yellow stripes tend to look golden brown or warm, whereas wasp yellow is striking and bright. Bees tend to stay near flowers, to feed on nectar, whereas wasps range to hunt for food. Bee and wasp nests also look very different from one another, because they’re made out of different materials.

How do I keep wasps away from me?

How to keep wasps awayIf you run into wasps frequently during mid-summer, it’s probably because there’s a wasp nest nearby. Wasps typically build their nests into existing crevices, burrows, and hiding places. They like to build nests in secluded, covered, or naturally inaccessible locations where they can stay safe. You might find the nest on or under your roof, under a deck or porch, or even in your rafters. 

Unfortunately, you might encounter wasps semi-frequently in late summer and fall, even if there isn’t a nest nearby. If that’s happening to you, try looking for reasons why wasps may be attracted to your home. Wasps are very attracted to sugary liquids, especially late in the summer season. Ripe fruit from fruit trees will attract lots of worker wasps looking for a sugar rush. You should also be careful not to leave out garbage uncovered or unrinsed cans and bottles.

Have more questions about Michigan’s wasps? No problem! Just give Griffin Pest Solutions a call any time.