Have you ever gotten stung once and had more bees suddenly show up and get stung more? It's because of the 'alarm odor'. The stingers have glands that activate chemicals when you get stung.
The other ladies can sense this odor and will go into defense mode. They may come near you and hover briefly or give you more stings as they think they are protecting their own.
Because the stinger has barbs, it will often stay in your skin as the bee pulls away. As this happens, abdominal tissue stays attached to the stinger and will come out of the bee. This is why honey bees die once they sting.
Sometimes the stinger will pull out as she trys to fly off. If it stays in the skin and has the venom sack still attached, never try to pull it out. By pulling it, it gets pinched between your fingers and will push more venom in you. The best way to remove it is to push it out. You can do this with your fingernail, a credit card or other small object.
just how healthy honey is? It can be used on cuts, scratches and burns (do not use on open wounds). It takes the moisture out of everything and promotes faster healing, reduces scarring and reduces the chance of infection since it is sterile. For allergies, 2 teaspoons daily is recommended.
In addition to honey, a hive also produces pollen, beeswax, propolis, royal jelly, and bee venom. Pollen is the bee's protein source and cannot be made in a lab. It contains enzymes, vitamins, omega 3's, 22 amino acids, and is 35-40% protein. It is used as a dietary supplement to increase energy, aid in digestion, improve circulation, help allergies, and bolster the immune system.
Beeswax contains vitamin A and serotonin. It gives off positive ions when burning which is good for the air. Propolis contains antioxidants, antibiotics, antimicrobials, is antiviral and antifungal. It strengthens the immune system, heals burns, and helps skin disorders, fights colds and flues. Royal Jelly is produced in the heads of nurse bees for larval food. It contains B1, B2, B5, & B6. It reduces stress, increases resistance to disease, and combats aging and growth problems. It is used in cosmetics to improve skin. It also heals cuts, scrapes and burns. Bee Venom contains enzymes, proteins, and amino acids. It stimulates the release of cortisone, is hemorrhagic in action and applied directly or by intramuscular injection.
