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PESTS:
BEES
 Honey
Bees
Like
European wasps, bees are an introduced
insect. Whilst they may become a pest,
especially during the summer months, they
are valuable to people for the honey and
wax they produce. At the same time, they
provide plants with an important
pollination service.
Bees
are social insects. The worker bees
visit flowers in search of pollen, and
if caught in any way they can sting.
Bees are very attracted to clover
flowers, so it is best to be cautious
when walking through clover
patches.
Honey
bees will vigorously defend their
nests, stinging the source of the
threat, even though they will die as a
result of that sting. The stings of
bees are barbed, piercing the skin and
remaining attached firmly enough to
pull out of the bee's body as it moves
away. At the top of the sting is a
sac-like gland containing venom, which
begins to pump into the victim straight
away.
What
do I do if I am stung?
Do
not try to pull the sting out between
your fingertips, as this will force the
venom into the wound. The sting is best
removed by scraping it away with the
fingernail. Remove the sting as quickly
as possible to avoid having the full
amount of venom pumped into you.
Most
bee stings cause intense pain and
swelling but for some the reaction is
much more serious. Make sure the sting
is removed and apply a pressure
immobilisation bandage
immediately.
If
a person is known to be allergic, seek
emergency medical attention. Such
persons may experience difficulty
breathing and possibly collapse, so
should wear a medical alert bracelet to
identify the problem.
Are
there other types of bees?
Yes,
there are various other types of bees.
The mortar and carpenter bees are not
social bees, and they vary in size from
5 to 20mm. They may be hairy or fuzzy
or shiny and metallic green. These bees
are not dangerous, although the female
does possess a sting.
The
native social bees are small (4mm) and
dark in colour. They form colonies in
tree hollows and other cavities. These
bees produce a thin honey which has
only recently been investigated for
commercial purposes. The wonderful
thing about these bees is the fact they
do not sting.
What
do I do if I see a swarm of
bees?
DO
NOT APPROACH IT! Contact a qualified
pest consultant who will eliminate the
bees for you.
Our 25
years' experience ... your peace of
mind
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Total
Pest Solutions
PO
Box 2083, South Plympton
South Australia. 5038.
Phone 1800 503 394
(08) 8297 4981
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