Knowledge about bee sting first aid treatment is normally sought by people staying in Perth. Because there are many bee species found in the city and many of them are stinging bees. These bees may be found in different parts of the home such as the laundry, garden, brickwork, chimney, and wall spaces. Thus creating more chances for people to have unexpected bee encounters that may lead to their bee sting misery. Studies show that people in Perth and throughout Australia are more likely to be taken to a hospital due to a bee sting. The rate is twice the rate of a spider bite and snake bite. If you will be one of these people, it may be helpful to know the bee sting first aid treatment which will be discussed below.
What Bees are Common in Western Australia?
In Perth, Western Australia, there are at least 50 different species of bees that inhabit the city’s bushland, gardens, parks, and even homes. Some of these will be discussed below.
Blue-banded Bees
These bees are said to be the most likely to be seen in Perth according to the Western Australian Museum. They have a noisy flight which may be described as alternate hovering and darting. Their physical characteristics are:
- The size is almost the same as honeybees.
- Rotund form.
- Black-and-white-banded abdomen.
Blue-banded bees often visit flowers of many garden ornamentals. Some of them make shallow nests in sandy soil and others nest in harder soils like mud-brick walls. These walls, which are commonly used in Perth as they’re good for the Australian climate, are usually colonised by the blue-banded bees.
Reed Bees
Some species of these bees have a red abdomen aside from having the following features:
- Slender body.
- About 8 mm long.
- Yellow patch on their face.
These bees nest inside dead fronds of tree ferns and dry pithy twigs in plants (like blackberries and raspberries). Varieties of such fruits grow and yield well in Perth according to the Rare Fruit Club Organisation.
Blue Banded Bees
Research shows that these bees may be valuable pollinators of greenhouse tomatoes and are described as below:
- 8-13 mm long.
- Black abdomen with bluish or whitish stripes.
These bees are usually found darting around the flowers of lavenders. These flowers are ideal to be grown in Perth as they love the heat and are drought-tolerant. Furthermore, the female bees of this species build nests in shallow burrows in the ground, mud-brick houses, and soft mortar. All of which are common in Perth.
Teddy Bear Bees
These bees have the following description:
- 7 to 15 mm long.
- Rotund in shape.
- Has a furry brown colour.
These bees build nests in soft soil and underneath houses. In addition, a related species of this bee nests in groups of up to 10,000 in arid clay pans and mud flats in Western Australia where Perth belongs.
Leafcutter Bees
As their name suggests, these bees make neat circular cuts on the edges of some leaves. They are described as:
- Black in colour.
- Has a triangular-shaped abdomen.
- Whitish or yellowish stripes.
These bees like the soft leaves of roses which thrive in Perth and have gorgeous blooms for most of the year.
Resin Bees
These bees don’t have a uniform appearance. However, some of their common physical characteristics are:
- Large black bees that grow up to 14 mm long.
- White tufts of hair.
- Small black bees that are only 8 mm long.
- Bright orange abdomens.
These bees nest in pre-existing holes or gaps in timber or stonework.
Homalictus Bees
These bees are known to be one of the smallest among all species. They may be described as:
- Less than 8 mm long.
- It May have varying body colours such as blue, red, and green.
These bees nest in the ground wherein many female bees live together.
Masked Bees
These bees carry pollen to their nests by swallowing it. They have the following physical distinctions:
- Slender black bees less than 10 mm long.
- Have pale markings on their faces.
- Have a distinctive yellow spot on the thorax.
They usually nest in pithy stems or pre-existing holes in wood.
The Rate of Stinging Bees
Among all the native bee species in Australia, only 2% (or less) are stingless according to Aussie Bee. This means that all the other native bee species can sting. Furthermore, it has been reported by The Guardian that the bee sting rate is twice as much as spider bites and snake bites in Australia. This gives a ratio of 5 hospitalisations for bee stings in every 100,000 Australians. As a result, knowledge about bee sting first aid treatment has become a rising concern in Perth and the whole of Australia.
What is the Bee Sting First Aid Treatment?
Bee stings, like other insect stings, may also be treated with first aid. The first aid practices differ by the severity of the bee sting reaction.
Bee Sting First Aid Treatment for Minor Reactions
Below are the first aid steps that may be followed for a minor bee sting reaction:
- Remove the stinger by scraping it off with a fingernail.
- Wash the part that was stung using soap and water.
- Apply a cold compress.
A minor bee sting reaction may include instant, sharp burning pain at the sting site to slight swelling around the area.
Bee Sting First Aid Treatment for Moderate Reactions
Below is the first aid response for a moderation reaction from a bee sting:
- Remove the stinger by scraping it off with a fingernail.
- Wash the part that was stung using soap and water.
- Apply a cold compress.
- Take a pain reliever if needed.
- Elevate the arm or leg if it’s where the bee stung.
- Apply cream (such as hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion) to ease redness, itching, or swelling.
A moderate reaction from a bee sting may be extreme redness and swelling at the site.
Bee Sting First Aid Treatment for Severe Reactions
For some people, bee stings may cause severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis. These may be life-threatening especially if first aid response is not done immediately. The first aid treatment for this severe reaction from a bee sting is an Epinephrine Injection. More details about this first aid response are available on this accredited first aid course provider in 123C Colin St West Perth 6005‘s website. However, knowing how to correctly perform an Epinephrine Injection or act immediately in case of an anaphylactic shock is part of first aid management. It may be done correctly with the right skills and knowledge in first aid. Such life-saving abilities may be learned by enrolling in a first aid course at 123C Colin St West Perth 6005.
Conclusion
There are many species of bees in Perth, and most of them are stinging bees. Since they nest in common areas or parts of houses, they are more likely to have human encounters. This results in a high rate of bee sting incidents and hospitalisations in Perth and throughout Australia. Bee stings may be treated with first aid and the response is different depending on the reaction. The severe reaction from a bee sting may be anaphylaxis which may impose risks to the life of a stung person. Especially if bee sting first aid treatment is not done immediately. Knowing how to correctly do this first aid response may be learned by enrolling in a first aid course at 123C Colin St West Perth 6005.
