Stinging

Paul Kelly talks about the science of bee stings and how people who are stung should react.

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We would like to thank Québec beekeepers Marie-Hélène Majeau and Susan Kennerknecht for translating our videos into French. We are very grateful for their help with this project. (To view translation, click on settings then subtitles)

Nous aimerions remercier deux apicultrices du Québec, Marie-Hélène Majeau et Susan Kennerknecht pour la traduction de ces vidéos en français. Nous leur en sommes très reconnaissants. (Pour accéder à la traduction française, sélectionnez paramètres et ensuite sous-titres)

[nikmills]

My grandfather stung his knees for arthritis treatment. He worked on the farm until his last two weeks of life at 98 years old, jumping off the back of the pickup until the end. I now apply bee stings to arthritis in my hand. It went from debilitating pain to 95% cured in six weeks. A few stings every few days. It's fantastic. Bees are heaven sent.

[hippiewithacowboyhat]

What we need are stingerless bees. And while we're doing a bit of genetic engineering, purple queens would
be easier to find as well....

[Baritonesinger]

I’ll just take your word for it. I chose to keep wearing my enjoy your videos. Thanks for information.

[Makermook]

I've had bees for only about 4 months. I've been stung three times so far and each time the reaction has been less.

[chipfriday]

Nice video for new bee keepers, especially the part where you stung yourself. Couple of quick ideas: I think it is a good idea to have an emergency sting kit with epinephrine (adrenaline) on hand just in that very rare situation of an antiphalactic (a life threatening) reaction with either the bee keeper or a friend who has come to the apiary to watch and learn, or even someone walking by out on the street. Here in Texas I have had Africanized bees chase me for over a mile while closing up the hive after a minor maintenance visit. Once you are in the hive, their zone of defense can easily be 50 yards; and secondly scrape the stinger off your skin the opposite the way it went in with a fingernail or hive tool or a plastic credit card.

[gabe-poyi]

You having to force her like you did to sting shows how docile most non-Africanized honeybees are. She didn’t push her stinger out while holding her by the wings, nor at first contact with your skin. If that had been a wasp it would’ve had that stinger out as soon as you picked it up and we would’ve seen it doing so repeatedly when held by the wings. Such a difference in temperament. Let’s all thank the bee for her sacrifice in making this informative video.

[Holdfast]

I am just setting up my first ever bee yard...2 hives with nucs to arrive soon. My eyes got a bit wide when I read the number of stings you get. I had heard that people get stung occasionally and I had planned to avoid it as almost my #1 priority! This was one of the most useful videos I have seen. I'm a bit scared but accepting :)

[fredfulkerson]

Thanks for making these videos, i really enjoy them and hopefully am learning a lot as I prepare to start beekeeping. As a new beekeeper, I am finding it difficult to find recommendations on what type of frames I should place in the brood box with the nucleus colony. That might be a good video to make.

[gaetansimard]

My Yorky dog got stung and had a very bad allergic reaction. He throws up, and got uncontrolled diarrhea within 10 minutes. We live far from the veterinarian, took 30 minutes to go there. By the time we got there he was a little better. Nothing can be done for him. It took a good two days to totally recover. We tough we were going to loose him. Now we never walk close to the hive with him around…🤔🤨🤓

[raterus]

"I'm Coyote Peterson, and today I'll make a bee sting me!"

[zahrahoneypakistan]

sir what did you know about Honey bee sting?
is it contain only formic acid?

[carldaniels]

The worst sting I ever got was on a vein.The venom is quickly swept away with the flow of blood.

[johnandellielawrence]

Very very helpful. My smoker often goes out. Can't wait to try your way. Thank you so much!!!!

[usmanilyas]

i love bee keeping (due to honny) but never ever keep a single bee due to fear of stinging. I change my way to market if i know that there is is A bee in the way

[edcasey]

I'm an Irish dairy farmer hoping to help a little with my local environment by getting a few hives. My grandparents kept bees for years even though my grandmother was highly allergic, is it possible that one could have a strong allergic reaction from their first sting. And is there a way of getting tested before starting beekeeping? Thanks for the great content.

[brandibartolomucci]

I only got stung 6 times when I dumped out my first 3lb package of bees into a hive box!! I didn't have on any protective clothing on(tank top, shorts, and flip-flops) and I didn't have my smoker working right!! I thought that I was pretty fortunate!
Also I heard to wipe a little honey on the sting to kill the smell and pain!!
😁👍

[strugglingbeekeepermarkcot]

How often do you get stung working your bees

[Holdfast]

Can you estimate a normal frequency of stings that might be considered acceptable? Example once per hive per 4 accesses? I'm a first year beekeeper and got my first sting today on my index finger while pulling a frame out. I'm sure we will kiss and make up in a couple of days.

[reinupotgieter]

Just a quick question, how many times in a month would be sufficient, not to build up an allergy?

[CliftonMurphyjr]

You mention getting stung often enough...how often would one want to be stung so as to lessen the chances of developing anaphylactic reactions by not getting stung often enough?