About Bees, English ebooks 4
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//-->Safety and HealthUnited States Department of AgricultureForest ServiceTechnology & DevelopmentProgramJuly 200867000867–2331–MTDCInsect Stings and Bites: Basic InformationAbout Bees, Wasps, and AntsBob Beckley, Project LeaderFirst aid kits purchased by the Forest Service, U.S.Department of Agriculture, no longer containepinephrine, a medication used by persons allergicPreparing for the FieldBefore venturing outdoors, anyone who is allergic toinsect stings or bites should inform their supervisor andcoworkers about their condition and the possible danger ifthey were to be stung.It’s important to distinguish an allergic reaction from thenormal reaction to insect stings and bites. Swelling, redness,and itching around the sting or bite are normal. Itchingand hives far from the sting or bite are signs of an allergicreaction.Forest Service employees should identify the potentialfor insect stings and bites in a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)before going to the field. The JHA should advise anyonewho is allergic to insect stings or bites and has experiencedallergic reactions to visit a doctor, get a prescription forepinephrine, carry the epinephrine at all times, and be awareof the expiration date. An autoinjection delivery device,such as an EpiPen, allows someone to give themselves ashot of epinephrine (figure 1). Use the JHA to documentthe exceptional case where epinephrine can be carried in acrew’s first aid kit.to insect stings and bites (FSM 6700, chapter 6723). ForestService employees need to know what they should do ifthey are allergic to insect stings and bites or if they will beworking with someone who is. This tech tip describes waysemployees can prevent insect stings and bites, provide firstaid for insect stings and bites, and recognize the warningsigns of an allergic reaction. Although rare, the most seriousallergic reaction, anaphylaxis, can be fatal.preventing insect• Awareness is the key torvice employeesstings and bites. Forest Seg and bitingneed to recognize stinginey’re most likelyinsects and know where thto be encountered.kits no longer• Forest Service first aidlp controlcontain epinephrine to hestings or bites.allergic reactions to insectsect stings or• Allergic reactions to ing.bites can be life threateninare allergic to• People who know theyld get ainsect stings or bites shourryprescription so they can cag in the field.epinephrine when work inFigure 1—Field-going employees who know they are allergic to insectstings or bites should carry an autoinjection device to give themselves ashot of epinephrine.For additional information, contact:Bob Beckley, project leader; USDA Forest Service, MTDC; 5785 Hwy. 10 West; Missoula,MT 59808–9361. Phone: 406–329–3996; fax: 406–329–3719; e-mail: rbeckley@fs.fed.us1Coworkers should know where the kit is in case theyneed to provide first aid. During regularly scheduled safetymeetings, employees should be told that all workers may beat risk for an allergic reaction to an insect sting or bite—evenif they have never before suffered an allergic reaction.Employees should know the warning signs of an allergicreaction and monitor any employee who is stung or bitten.It is okay to ask whether anyone has ever had an allergicreaction to insect stings or bites.when they’re defending their territory. Be aware of yoursurroundings. If you are close to a nest (figure 2), remaincalm and quiet while moving away slowly. Remember, someinsects nest underground.Some tips include:• Avoid wearing brightly colored clothes or perfumes,lotions, or other scented products that may attractinsects.• Be alert for insects when you are eating, drinking, orcooking; the scent of food attracts insects.• Wear pants that seal at the ankle and shirts that sealat the wrist to prevent insects from getting inside yourTips To Prevent BeingStung or BittenKnowing about stinging and biting insects may helpyou avoid them. Stinging and biting insects usually attackclothing.• Do not swat or crush insects; when some insects areinjured, they send chemical signals that incite otherinsects to attack.Figure 2—Watch where you walk. This wasp nest was built on a low-growing shrub. Courtesy of Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University,http://www.insectimages.org.2If You’re AttackedIf you’re attacked by a swarm of stinging insects—runaway! Insects are probably protecting their nest and viewyou as an intruder. The longer you stay, the more likely youare to be stung. Pull your shirt or jacket over your head toprotect your face and airways. Keep running until the insectsstop chasing you or you reach a safe area, such as a vehicleor building. Check for stings and remove any venom sacs andstingers. Monitor yourself for signs of an allergic reactionand seek medical attention if necessary.The color and size of individual insects may varywidely; when possible bring the insect with you foridentification if you’re seeking treatment.Fire ants can pivot as they bite, leaving a circularcluster of bites (figure 4). The following information fromthe EpiPen Web site (http://www.epipen.com) may help youidentify stinging and biting insects and their nests in yourwork area.Recognizing Stinging andBiting InsectsThe stings or bites of a number of insects might triggeran allergic reaction that could lead to life-threatening shock.Becoming aware of these insects and learning to avoid themis the first step to preventing stings and bites.The insects that are most likely to trigger an allergicreaction are:• Wasps• Bees• Fire antsWasps (such as yellow jackets and bald-faced hornets)have a straight stinger that they can use again and again(figure 3). Bees (such as honeybees and Africanizedhoneybees) have a barbed stinger that becomes embedded inthe skin, preventing them from stinging more than once.Figure 4—In less than 10 seconds, an unwary scientist was stung over 250times on one leg when he carelessly knelt on a collapsed fire ant mound.The pustules (similar to blisters but filled with pus) developed to this stagein 3 days. Courtesy of Daniel Wojcik,http://www.insectimages.org.Figure 3—Wasps have a straight stinger they can use again and again; beeshave a barbed stinger that becomes embedded in the skin, preventing themfrom stinging more than once.3Wasps(figure 5)Appearance:Elongated bodies up to 1 inchlong; black, brown, or red withyellow markings.Nests:Range:Behavior:Exteriors of buildings,woodpiles, and shrubs.Throughout North America.Aggressive, but not as easilyprovoked as fire ants orAfricanized honeybees.Stings:Can sting repeatedly.Figure 5—An adult wasp at a nest. A wasp chews wood fibers fromweathered wood (inset photo). Courtesy of David Cappaert, Michigan StateUniversity, and Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University (inset photo),http://www.insectimages.org.Yellow Jackets(figure 6)Appearance:�½ to ¾ inch long; black withyellow markings.Nests:Papery nests in the ground or inRange:Behavior:wall crevices.Worldwide.Versatile and persistent pests.Not as easily provoked as fireants or Africanized bees, buthighly aggressive—particularlyas weather cools in the latesummer or early fall.Can sting repeatedly.Stings:Figure 6—A western yellow jacket sunning on a leaf. Yellow jacketsrebuilding a damaged nest (inset photo). Courtesy of Whitey Cranshaw,Colorado State Unversity and Edward L. Manigault, Clemson UniversityDonated Collection (inset photo),http://www.insectimages.org.4Bald-faced Hornets(figure 7)Appearance:Up to 1 inch long; black orbrown with hints of yellow,white, or orange.Nests:Brown or gray football-shapedhives of a papery substancehigh above ground level.Range:Behavior:Throughout North America.Extremely protective of theirnests; more aggressive thanhoneybees, but not as feisty asfire ants or Africanized bees.Stings:Can sting repeatedly.Figure 7—A bald-faced hornet sipping sap from a tree wound. A bald-facedhornet nest still under construction (inset photo). Courtesy of Jerry A.Payne, USDA Agricultural Research Service and Howard Ensign Evans,Colorado State University (inset photo),http://www.insectimages.org.Honeybees(figure 8)Appearance:�½ inch long; rounded, hairy,dark brown body with brightyellow markings.Nests:Hives in beekeepers’ boxes,bushes, trees, building niches.Range:Behavior:Stings:Worldwide.Not terribly aggressive; stingonly when challenged directly.Can sting only once; they losetheir stinger and die.Figure 8—A honeybee on a honeycomb. A honeybee nest (about a foot wideand 1�½ feet deep) on a tree limb in an overgrown thicket, well protectedfrom the elements (inset photo). Courtesy of Jack Dykinga, USDA Agri-cultural Research Service and Timothy Haley, USDA Forest Service (insetphoto),http://www.insectimages.org.5
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