Now we don’t get the same long heat of summer that you get in the continent, so when that sun does come out, we Brits head to our backyards, open parks and soak up that sunshine. However sometimes, we find ourselves enjoying our moments in the sunshine, with more unwanted guests, of the stinging variety… Stinging Insects!
Most of us have suffered the wrath of a wasp or bee sting before, and if you haven’t, take it from me it hurts! However, for those lucky enough to not suffer from a severe allergic reaction from insect stings there are some home remedies which can help reduce swelling, ease the pain, and help with the irritating itch.
If, however, you are allergic to wasp stings and/or bee stings the best course of action is to contact a hospital straight away.
Home Remedies for Wasp, Bee & Hornet Stings
Ice
Ice is a great way to help reduce the swelling from a wasp sting as well as both bees and hornet stings, the cold temperature slows down the blood flow to the insect sting.
To treat insect stings using ice take an ice cube, or an ice pack and place it on the wasp sting for around 20 minutes. This will help with the pain and reduce the swelling.
Note: If using ice cubes wrap in a paper towel or a damp cloth to protect the affected area.
Garlic
Garlic acts as a pain relief for insect stings. For this home remedy crush a clove of garlic and slather it on the sting. Make sure the juices from the garlic are applied to the sting (this is what makes it an effective home remedy). After that is complete place a plaster on the affected area and let the garlic do its magic.
Onion
Another vegetable which is great for treating insect stings is onions. Simply cut an onion in half and place it (flesh side down) on the insect sting, pressing gently until the pain has reduced.
Cucumber
Cucumbers are a great remedy to treat wrinkles, but did you know they are also great for treating insect stings? This is because cucumber is a natural astringent (a natural chemical that tends to shrink or constrict body tissue). For this insect sting, home remedy takes a slice of cucumber and rub it on the insect sting, this will help reduce the pain and cool the area.
Bee Sting Home Remedies
What home remedies can you use for bee stings? Find out how to treat bee stings using items in your home:
Bee sting venom is naturally quite acidic. Helping to reduce the pain and swelling consists of using home remedies which are alkaline as this will help neutralise the venom.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a great way to help neutralise the venom of a bee sting. All you need to do is create a thick paste out of baking soda and water and apply it to the sting.
Salt
Just like our previous home remedy, make a thick paste by mixing the salt with water and apply it to the bee sting.
Wasp Sting Home Remedies
Help I’ve been stung by a wasp! What can I do to stop the pain? – Find out below
Compared to bee stings, the venom in hornet and wasp stings are alkalines. Using home remedies which are quite acidic is the best way to treat wasp stings by neutralising the wasp venom.
Lemon Juice
To treat wasp stings with lemon, slice a fresh lemon in half and squeeze out as much juice as you can. Dab either a cotton swab or cloth in the juice and apply it to the wasp sting. You can also use bottled lemon juice, however, fresh lemon juice works better.
Lemon
If you don’t want to use lemon juice you can also use a fresh lemon instead. Slice a fresh lemon in half and place one of the segments, flesh side down, on the wasp sting.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Soak a small bit of cotton wool in apple cider vinegar and place it on the wasp sting whilst applying a small amount of pressure. The acidity of the vinegar helps neutralise the wasp venom.
Vinegar
Much like apple cider vinegar, the best way to treat wasp stings using vinegar is to apply it to a piece of cotton wool and place it on the sting. You can also use a cotton swab soaked in vinegar and rub it on the insect sting.
Hornet Stings
Although some of the home remedies on this list can help to treat hornet stings, they are not a definite cure. Compared to wasp and bee stings, hornet stings (especially one from a giant Asian hornet) can be much more painful, and deadly. This is because hornet venom is a lot more powerful than that of a bee and wasp as it contains a large amount of acetylcholine which is a powerful pain stimulant. This is what makes hornet stings so painful.
The strength of hornet venom does differ between each species. Some hornet stings are just like that from a bee or wasp, whilst others can be extremely painful. European hornet stings are usually the most painful as they contain the most venom thus being the most deadly.
The most infamous of all the hornet stings is that from a giant Asian hornet. This stinging insect is reportedly the cause of 30-50 human deaths in Japan every year, and 42 in China. The toxicity of a giant hornet’s venom is extremely nasty causing severe reactions such as melting skin and organ failure.
If you are looking for help control wasps, bees and hornets in your home and/or business, then get in contact with the experts at Rentokil today.
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