Poisoning Prevention: Bees, Wasps, Hornets, and Yellow Jackets

Most people who are stung by an insect will have redness, itching, swelling, and some pain around the sting site. Some people are allergic to insect stings. They may experience hives, rash, itching palms and feet, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and trouble breathing. If you are stung and have any of these reactions, go to the nearest hospital or doctor right away for treatment! For more information on insect stings you can call the Georgia Poison Center 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-222-1222.<br /> <br /> First Aid:<br /> 1. If a stinger is present, remove it by scraping a card across the wound. Do not touch or squeeze the stinger. This will force venom (poison) into the skin.<br /> 2. Wash the sting site with soapy water.<br /> 3. Put a paste of meat tenderizer and water on the sting site. This may help stop some pain and swelling. You may also use ice packs to stop the pain and swelling.<br /> <br /> Safety Tips: To avoid being stung, stay away from places where stinging insects are found. Stinging insects are found around flowers, plants, garbage cans, picnic grounds, and other places food is kept. While you are walking in grassy areas or doing yard work, wear long pants, long sleeves, a hat, gloves, and shoes.<br /> <br /> Scorpions: The species of scorpions found in Georgia are not dangerous. The sting of a scorpion is like the sting of a bee or wasp. If you are stung, treat as you would a bee sting.<br /> First Aid and Safety Tips: See above - Bees, Wasps, Hornets, and Yellow Jackets<br /> Fire ants: Fire ants become aggressive when they are disturbed. These insects bite first, then sting several times. If you are stung, treat as you would a bee sting.<br /> First Aid and Safety Tips: See above - Bees, Wasps, Hornets, and Yellow Jackets<br /> Saddleback caterpillars: The saddleback caterpillar is bright green with a brown saddle mark on the middle of its back. The caterpillar also has "horns" on both ends of its body. When you brush up against the caterpillar, fine hairs on its body inject venom (poison) into the victim's skin. The sting can be very painful. The pain will last until the hairs are removed. If you are stung and feel a burning pain, swelling, nausea, headache, or weakness, go to the nearest hospital or doctor right away for treatment! You may be having an allergic reaction.<br /> First Aid:<br /> 1. Remove the fine hairs by gently touching the sting site with a piece of tape.<br /> 2. Wash the sting site with soapy water.<br /> 3. Put a paste of meat tenderizer and water on the sting site. This may help stop some pain and swelling. You may also use ice packs to stop the pain and swelling.<br /> Safety Tips: To avoid being stung, wear long pants, gloves, and shoes while you are walking in grassy areas or doing yard work. <br /> Source: Georgia Poison Center, www.georgiapoisoncenter.org<br /> <br /> Debbie Wilburn is County Agent/Family and Consumer Science Agent with Hall County Cooperative Extension (770)535-8290.

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