08/19/2025
It's that time of year guys. The bees and wasps are out in full force! With that in mind, I thought this would be a good time to address some safety rules and a few little facts about dealing with these critters.
Between .4 and 3.3% of the population is allergic to bee stings, which leads to an average of 90-100 deaths in the US annually from these incidents. However, this number may be lower than the actual due to misdiagnosis, and the fact that anyone can have a reaction to a sting at any time. Even if they have never had one before.
When working or playing outdoors, the old saying holds true. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Be aware of the area around you, check for nests/hives and if possible avoid the area. Wearing clothing that covers your skin can also help prevent stings.
If you are stung, however, here are somethings to watch for.
Redness
Pain
Swelling (in the area of the sting itself, and sometimes beyond)
Flushing
Hives
Itching
Anaphylaxis
In the case of those who have a history of sever reactions, its vital to contact emergency care immediately, and use an EpiPen if available.
While no one wants to be stung, its important also remember that bees (and even wasps to a much smaller extent) are important pollinators, and are necessary for a healthy ecosystem. I've added some pictures below that can help tell the difference between the two, but in general bees are fat, fuzzy and docile while wasps tend to be more aggressive, narrow and "wasp-wasted".
Let's try to keep everyone, ourselves and these necessary little critters, safe this summer.
