Tell the Difference Between Hives and Bed Bug Bites?: Pointe Pest Control

Bed bug bites are often mistaken for hives, mainly because they are both due to an allergic reaction. It’s important those suffering from either are able to differentiate the two because they both require different forms of treatment. Additionally, if you suffer from bed bug bites and think it’s hives, an infestation that’s forming could get out of control. That will make getting rid of them much more difficult. To determine if you are suffering from bed bug bites or hives, there are seven differences you can look for. 

• Their size: Bed bug bites are fairly consistent in size, although two bites close together can look like one very large bite. Usually these bites are no larger than the eraser at the end of the pencil. Hives on the other hand, are varying sizes. Hives can be as big as a quarter or as small as a pimple. 
• Their color: Bed bug bites are always red, although the surrounding skin may appear lighter than normal. Hives range in color from pale to dark red, and even the same color as a person’s skin. Often the surrounding skin is also red. 
• Their shape: Hives and bed bug bites are typically raised from the skin. As they heal, they usually flatten out. Bed bug bites are almost always round, similar to mosquito bites. The edges are also quite even. Hives can be varying shapes, and their edges are typically uneven. 
• Their location: Bed bugs want easy access to blood and so, they’ll choose an area of the skin that’s not covered. When someone is lying in bed, this is typically the arms, legs, or neck. Hives can appear anywhere on the body. 
• Other people: If there is even one person in your household suffering from the same skin irritation as you, it’s likely that you have bed bug bites. If no one else has had any problems, particularly if it goes on for some time, the chances are you’re suffering from hives, which are not contagious. 
• Your history: If you have a history of allergies, consider if you’ve come into contact with anything that could trigger your allergy. If so, it’s likely hives and not bed bug bites. 
• Your home: Does your bedding or mattress have red, rusty spots, or small dots that look like ink from a pen? Do you see eggs and eggshells around the crevices of your mattress? Do you see bed bugs that are alive or dead? If you see any of these things around your home, you have a bed bug infestation. If you check your bedding and other areas, and there are none of these signs, it’s likely you have hives. 

Knowing these differences and things to look for will allow you to seek the medical treatment you need more quickly. 

Mosquito bite reactions | AAAAI

While mosquitoes can carry blood-borne diseases like malaria, West Nile encephalitis and dengue fever, it is the aggravating bite that gives them their notoriety.

Only female mosquitoes bite. Heat, light, sweat, body odor, lactic acid and carbon dioxide attract the female mosquito to skin. She inserts the tip of her mouth into a tiny blood vessel, injects her saliva into your bloodstream and then sucks your blood.

Contact must last at least six seconds in order for a reaction to occur. Chemicals in mosquito saliva prevent blood from clotting and evoke a response that causes localized redness, swelling and itching.

A mosquito bite can cause a variety of reactions. People who have never been bitten before (primarily young children) may not react at all. Thereafter, most of us develop a tiny, itchy red bump that appears hours to days after they have been bitten and may last a few days.

However, some people have more serious reactions like blistering lesions or larger hives accompanied by fever and joint swelling. At its worst, a mosquito bite can cause anaphylaxis (an-a-fi-LAK-sis), a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by throat swelling, generalized hives, faintness or wheezing. This reaction is rarely caused by mosquitoes and is more commonly associated with other stinging insects. If you have experienced anaphylaxis, consider consulting an allergy/immunology specialist, who can help determine the cause. Carry autoinjectable epinephrine if you have been diagnosed with stinging insect anaphylaxis.

Treatment Tips

If you develop anaphylactic symptoms, seek emergency medical treatment.  

If your reaction is localized, try these treatments to relieve symptoms:

•    Elevate the affected area and apply ice to reduce swelling and pain.

•    Apply over-the-counter lotion to the affected area.

•    Clean blisters with soap and water without breaking them.

•    If itching persists, try topical steroids or oral antihistamines.

•    Consult a physician if the swelling progresses or the area appears infected.

Avoiding Mosquitoes

These pests may seem impossible to avoid, but there are steps you can take to reduce your chance of a mosquito bite.

Stay indoors as much as possible from dusk to dawn – peak mosquito time.

During the day, avoid standing near calm, shaded, humid areas and avoid pools of standing water. These are popular places for mosquitoes to hang out.

What you wear can attract mosquitoes. Avoid bright clothing and heavy perfumes. Wear clothing that covers most of your skin to minimize the chance for mosquitoes to bite.

Use insect repellents containing DEET. Read the label of your repellent carefully. DEET will often be listed under the active ingredients as N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide. Products with 6 to 25% DEET should provide two to six hours of protection. Repellents can cause side effects, including eye irritation, dry skin, rash and possible allergic reaction. Before applying to your entire body, test the repellent on a small area of your skin. Use the lowest concentration that is effective for you and reapply as needed.

Find out more about stinging insect allergies.

This article has been reviewed by Andrew Moore, MD, FAAAAI

Reviewed: 9/28/20

Hives (Urticaria) | Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Researchers have identified many – but not all – of the factors that can cause hives. These include food and other substances you take, such as medications. Some people develop hives just by touching certain items. Some illnesses also cause hives. Here are a few of the most common causes:

• Some food (especially peanuts, eggs, nuts and shellfish)
• Medications, such as antibiotics (especially penicillin and sulfa), aspirin and ibuprofen
• Insect stings or bites
• Physical stimuli such as pressure, cold, heat, exercise or sun exposure
• Latex
• Blood transfusions
• Bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections and strep throat
• Viral infections, including the common cold, infectious mononucleosis and hepatitis
• Pet dander
• Pollen
• Some plants

Antihistamines – available either over the counter or by prescription – are a frequently recommended treatment for hives. They work by blocking the effect of histamine, a chemical in the skin that can cause allergy symptoms, including welts. Antihistamines that don’t make you drowsy are preferred. They are effective and long-lasting (may be taken once a day) and have few side effects. Your allergist may recommend a combination of two or three antihistamines to treat your hives, along with cold compresses or anti-itch balms to ease the symptoms.

Severe episodes of urticaria may require temporary treatment with prednisone, a similar corticosteroid medication or an immune modulator, which can reduce the severity of the symptoms.

If your reaction involves swelling of your tongue or lips, or you have trouble breathing, your allergist may prescribe an epinephrine (adrenaline) auto-injector for you to keep on hand at all times. These can be early symptoms of anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction that impairs breathing and can send the body into shock. The only treatment for anaphylaxis is epinephrine. If you develop hives and your injector is not nearby – or if using the auto-injector doesn’t cause the symptoms to immediately improve – call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately. Emergency medical services carry epinephrine and can provide prompt treatment. You should also go to the emergency room after using an auto-injector.

If the cause of hives can be identified, the best treatment is to avoid the trigger or eliminate it:

• Foods: Don’t eat foods that have been identified to cause your symptoms.
• Rubbing or scratching: Avoid harsh soaps. Frequent baths may reduce itching and scratching – beneficial because itching and scratching can make the hives feel worse.
• Constant pressure: Avoid tight clothing. Pressure hives can be relieved by wearing loose-fitting clothes.
• Temperature: If you develop hives when exposed to cold, do not swim alone in cold water and always carry an epinephrine auto-injector. Avoid exposure to cold air and use a scarf around your nose and mouth in cold weather. If you must be out in the cold, wear warm clothing.
• Sun exposure: Wear protective clothing; apply sunblock.
• Medications: Notify your physician or pharmacist immediately if you suspect that a specific medication is causing your hives.

Chronic hives

Some cases of hives last for more than six weeks and can last months or years. This condition is known as chronic hives.

If the cause cannot be identified, even after a detailed history and testing, the condition is called chronic idiopathic urticaria. (“Idiopathic” means “unknown.”) About half these cases are associated with some immune findings. Chronic hives may also be associated with thyroid disease, other hormonal problems or, in very rare instances, cancer. Even this condition usually dissipates over time.

Physical urticaria

In physical urticaria, the hives have a physical cause, such as exposure to heat, cold or pressure.

Common triggers include:

• Rubbing or scratching. This is the most frequent cause of physical urticaria. Symptoms appear within a few minutes in the place that was rubbed or scratched and typically last less than an hour.
• Pressure or constriction. Delayed pressure urticaria can appear as red swelling six to eight hours after pressure (belts or constrictive clothing, for example) has been applied. Symptoms can also occur in parts of the body under constant pressure, such as the soles of the feet.
• Change in temperature. Cold urticaria is caused by exposure to low temperatures followed by re-warming. This can be severe and life-threatening if there is a general body cooling – for example, after a plunge into a swimming pool.
• Higher body temperature. Cholinergic urticaria is due to an increase in body temperature because of sweating, exercise, hot showers and/or anxiety.
• Sun exposure. Solar urticaria may occur within a few minutes after exposure to the sun.

Inflammation of the blood vessels, or vasculitis, can also cause hives. These hives are more painful than itchy, may leave a bruise on the skin and often last more than a day.

Life’s too short to struggle with hives. Find answers with an allergist.

This page was reviewed and updated 6/11/2018.

How to Tell If It’s Just a Bite or an Allergic Reaction

When it comes to mysterious red marks, it’s important that you know where they come from. Knowing their origin helps you deal with them. That’s why we’re comparing the two major reasons for getting those red bumps – bed bugs vs hives.

This way, you’ll know what to tell your doctor, and you’ll get the right treatment for your condition.

Red bumps on your skin can mean a lot of things, not just bed bug bites. In fact, bed bugs are often mistaken for mosquito bites, or even Scabies, which are an entirely different looking bite altogether.

Differences in Appearance

Bed Bugs and Urticaria bites look very different from one another.

Let’s start with bed bug bites. They’re smaller, and they come in dark shades of red with an even darker spot in the middle. They’re mostly circular, more bulging and come in smaller numbers.

You can often find them in clusters of 3 (or more) spots because bed bugs follow a “breakfast, lunch and dinner” pattern, a peculiar biting habit that only these insects have. But if you do find one big red spot, it’s most likely that those little bites have merged together.

As for hives, these itchy spots are less red, more pinkish in color. Sometimes, they even have white parts in them.

Hives are huge, more flat and can come in various shapes. They also come in massive numbers. Sometimes, they can even envelope an entire body.

Here’s a clear view on bed bugs vs hives:

Both bed bug bites and urticaria will have different reactions for different people.

In cases like these two, the differences are obvious. However, hives can start out small before they break into huge patches. So it’s either you wait for the hives to break out or you spend that time examining your bed for signs of a bed bug infestation – just to find out what’s really causing your itchy spots.

Differences in How They Work

People have different reactions when it comes to bed bug bites. Some people find it tremendously itchy while others don’t even feel a thing.

The bites go away after a few weeks, but they can still give you a hard time. They often appear on your back, neck, hands, arms and feet, places where bed bugs can easily access.

Meanwhile, hives are totally different. Hives are an allergic reaction, so they can even be considered as deadly. In worse cases, they’re accompanied by other allergy symptoms like difficulty in breathing, chest tightening and nausea.

Hives are incredibly uncomfortable to everyone. When they strike, nobody is exempted from the itchiness. Sometimes, the itch can even become so unbearable, you’ll need a doctor to control it.

Hives can also flare up from anywhere in your body. And they tend to look like they move, slowly spreading across your body and leaving more big welts in their path.

Lucky for us, prescribed medicine and treatments make hives heal a lot quicker than bed bug bites. But unlucky for some people, hives can reoccur any time for several days or even months or years.

Wrap Up

Don’t forget that hives, being an allergic reaction, can pop up after bed bug bites. So if you have a history of reacting to insect stings and bites, there’s a good chance that you’ll have hives. And that’s probably one of the worst things that can ever happen to you.

So in the case of bed bugs vs hives, you’re better off not having both.

Hives (Urticaria) in Children – HealthyChildren.org

​​Hives, also known as urticaria, are pink or red bumps in the skin. They are sometimes described as welts. Hives usually appear out of the blue without warning. Each hive tends to flatten out over a few hours, but new bumps can continue to appear for several days or longer.​

​​What do hives look like?

They can be small and round red bumps or larger swellings of all different shapes. Sometimes they are even ring or donut-shaped or shaped like a target. The rings may have normal skin in the middle, or look purplish or br​uise-like. Sometimes this purple patch will last longer than the hive itself. ​Hives are usually itchy. Hives can appear anywhere on the body.

It is common for young children with hives to also get swelling of the hands and feet. This can be uncomfortable, and can cause the child to be fussy and unhappy.​

Clockwise from top left: hives (urticaria) on ​trunk, leg, arms and feet.​

Who gets hives?

Children and adults of any age can get hives. Hives are very common. 15-20% of people will get hives at some time in their lives.

What causes hives?

Hives are a reaction to lots of different triggers. Minor infections from viruses are a common cause of hives in young children. Often the child seems well and has no or very few other sick symptoms before the hives begin.

Other things that can cause hives include: foods, medicines, additives to foods and vitamins such as color dyes, other kinds of minor infections such as dental infections, and in some cases even exercise, stress, sunlight, ice or other cold things touching the skin, or very rarely other underlying illnesses. In up to a third of cases, however, a specific cause for hives cannot be found.  

How long do hives last?

In most children, outbreaks of hives will end within 2 weeks. Occasionally the hives can keep coming for weeks to months.

How are hives diagnosed?

Hives are usually easily recognized when seen by a healthcare provider. In most cases, there are no good tests to figure out why ​a child has hives. If outbreaks of hives are lasting for many weeks, further testing may be recommended depending on if the child has any other symptoms.

Treatment for Hives

• If there is a known trigger for the hives, it should be avoided. As mentioned above, most cases of hives in children don’t have a clear trigger that you can avoid.

• Antihistamines are the main treatment for hives. Your healthcare provider may recommend over-the-counter cetirizine, loratadine or fexofenadine during the daytime because they do not cause sleepiness. Over-the-counter diphenhydramine may be recommended at night. These medications work best when taken on a regular schedule each day to keep the hives from coming back.

• Your doctor may prescribe other treatments for hives that don’t respond to antihistamines.

When should I be worried about hives?

Let a doctor know right away and go to the nearest emergency room if your child has swelling or tingling of the mouth, tongue or throat, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, and/or vomiting with the hives. These symptoms need emergency care.

More information

*Images provided by Sheilagh Maguiness, MD, FAAD, FAAP   

​

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

How to Tell Bed Bugs and Hives Apart — Bed Bugs Insider

If your home has a bed bug problem, you might notice red, itchy welts on your skin. These are triggered by an allergic reaction to the saliva left behind when a bed bug bites you. However, red welts can also be a sign of hives, caused by an allergy to something else.

Bed bug bites are small, raised, itchy spots that appear 1-3 days after being bitten. They appear in clusters or lines. Individual reactions to bed bug bites can differ. Hives can appear in larger patches and have different patterns. The surrounding skin is usually red and inflamed.

It’s important to find out what’s causing the problem, so that you know how to resolve it. We’ll look at what bed bugs and hives are, and how you can tell hives from bed bug bites. We’ll also explore the recommended treatments for both hives and bed bugs.

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are insects. They are distantly related to stink bugs and cicadas. But rather than feeding on sap from plants, bed bugs are parasites. They need to drink animal blood to survive.

Because bed bugs prefer human blood, they have adapted perfectly to life inside our homes. They thrive at normal room temperatures and are attracted to carbon dioxide, which we give off.

Bed bugs can fit into the smallest cracks and crevices inside our beds and other furniture. Unless the infestation is large, you might not notice they’re there. You’ll probably notice the bite marks, though.

About once per week, bed bugs feed by piercing a small hole in your skin. The leftover saliva triggers an allergic reaction in most people.

Bed bug bite marks appear around 1 to 3 days after being bitten. Most people develop small, red spots, which may be flat or raised. They’re often intensely itchy.

Some people develop more severe reactions than others. Because bed bug bites can vary in appearance so much, people often confuse them with hives.

How Do You Get Bed Bugs?

Any home can develop a bed bug problem. The myth that they only infest dirty, poor or messy homes is untrue.

You could pick up a bed bug in any public place, like a hotel, hospital or office. Bed bugs can also be inadvertently dropped off by visiting friends or family members. They can even enter your home through the walls, if you live in an apartment.

Once the bug enters your home, it will find its way to your bedroom. There, it will choose a secluded spot to hide in until it’s time to feed.

If the bug is a pregnant female, your home could soon be infested.

What Are Hives?

The proper name for hives is urticaria. It’s an uncomfortable, unsightly skin reaction which is normally triggered by an allergy.

Depending on what’s caused the hives, and how sensitive you are, they can vary drastically in appearance.

Some urticaria breakouts consist of hundreds of tiny pimple-like bumps. Others take the form of large, irregularly shaped wheals. They can be as big as a dinner plate.

Sometimes, you may only develop a small patch of hives in one area. In other cases, they may connect to form huge rashes.

Hives can be white, pink or red. They are usually raised, and extremely itchy. They can also cause a stinging or burning sensation.

Hives are caused by your skin reacting to a foreign substance. However, instead of bed bug saliva, hives can be triggered by any number of things. It all depends on what you’re allergic to.

What Causes Hives?

Hives are the physical result of your body going through an allergic reaction.

When your body detects a substance that it thinks is harmful, your immune system releases histamine. This causes fluid to accumulate under the skin, resulting in the raised areas.

It’s hard to figure out exactly what substance your body is reacting to. People can be allergic to:

• Certain foods and ingredients
• Medications
• Animals
• Trees and pollen
• Cleaning products, such as laundry detergents
• Skin products, such as lotions and soaps

In rare cases, hives can even develop as a reaction to sunlight, or pressure on the skin.

Hives don’t usually last long. However, according to the Indian Journal of Dermatology, urticaria can sometimes be chronic. Chronic urticaria can last for weeks, months or even years.

Bed Bugs vs. Hives Compared

Hives and bed bug bites, as you know by now, are two entirely separate problems.

As they’re both the result of an allergic reaction, they can be hard to tell apart. But it’s vital that you learn to distinguish them, as they have very different treatments.

If you’re struggling to tell whether you’ve got hives or bed bug bites, there are six questions that you should ask yourself. You should have a good idea of what you’re dealing with.

What Do the Welts Look Like?

Examine the welts themselves. Though bed bug bites and hives look similar, there are some differences.

Size

Bed bug bites are usually around the size of an eraser on the end of a pencil. They may be slightly bigger if you are more sensitive. Bear in mind that two bite marks close together can sometimes look like one large bite.

Hives, on the other hand, can be very small or very large. Some kinds of hives can be as small as pimples, bunched together to form a big rash. Other hives are very large indeed. Wheals could be the size of a quarter, a beermat or even a dinner plate.

Color

Bed bug bite marks are red. The skin immediately surrounding them should look normal, though it may be a bit paler than usual.

Hives can vary in color. Sometimes, they’re the same color as your skin (or even paler). Other kinds can be pale to dark red. In some case, they can even look purplish. The flat skin surrounding the hives is often inflamed and red looking, too.

Shape

Both hives and bed bug bite marks are usually raised. That means that they stand out, so you can feel them if you have your eyes closed. As they start to go away, they flatten out.

Bed bug bites are usually round, like flea bites and mosquito bites. The edges are quite even. Many bites may be clustered together, or form zig-zag lines.

On the other hand, hives can be all kinds of shapes. Some hives are round, but even then, they usually have wobbly or uneven edges.

Where Do the Welts Appear?

Bed bugs look for areas of the skin that are uncovered. If you wear pajamas, you’ll probably find bite marks on the parts of your body that aren’t covered in fabric.

The most likely places are the arms, legs, and neck. Of course, if you sleep naked, the bites could appear anywhere.

Hives can appear anywhere on the body. Sometimes, they occur in response to an allergen directly touching the skin (such as poison oak).

In this case, they’ll appear where the allergen touched you. However, there’s often no clear reason why hives have appeared in a particular place.

Are Family Members Affected?

If you’re being bitten by bed bugs, it means your home is infested. It’s doubtful that the problem only exists in your bedroom.

Ask your partner, family members or roommates whether they have any similar-looking welts on their skin. You’re most likely not the only person with these bite marks.

Hives aren’t contagious. You can’t pass them from one person to another. If you’ve got hives, other people in the house probably won’t have them.

That being said, it isn’t a guarantee. Allergies can run in families. If you and your family are allergic to the same thing, you could both be experiencing hives at once. However, it is unlikely.

And, of course, bear in mind that some people don’t react to bed bug bites at all. Don’t assume you don’t have bed bugs just because someone in your home hasn’t got any bite marks.

Do You Have a History of Allergies?

If you have any known allergies, consider whether you might have been exposed to any recently. If you suffer from hay fever, for example, the pollen count may be high in your area at the moment.

Have you accidentally used a soap, laundry detergent or cleaning product that you’ve had a reaction to in the past?

Remember that the allergenic substance doesn’t need to touch your skin for it to trigger hives. It could be in something that you’ve eaten or drank. Have you visited any restaurants lately, where there could have been cross-contamination issues?

Have You Encountered Any New Products or Foods?

Even if you don’t have a history of allergies, new ones can develop all the time. It’s possible for a person of any age to become allergic to something they’ve never reacted before.

So, figure out whether you’ve tried any new foods or used any new products lately. Are you trialing a new kind of shampoo? Has someone brought a new plant or some flowers into your home? Have you recently got a new pet, or has someone visited who has a pet at home?

Hives can also develop as a response to stress or extreme heat. Have you been particularly anxious or worked up about anything lately? Have you recently started exercising? All of these factors could cause a skin reaction.

Are There Any Signs of Bed Bugs in Your Home?

If you think your welts may be bed bug bites, there’s one way to be sure. Check your home for the tell-tale signs of a bed bug infestation.

The best place to start is the bedroom – particularly the mattress, headboard, and box spring. Signs of a bed bug infestation include:

• Fecal spots. Look for flat, small dots, almost like ink spots from a pen. They’re almost black in color, and typically appear in clusters. Bed bug droppings won’t rub off easily.
• Shed bed bug exoskeletons. Look for translucent, bug-shaped pieces of shell.
• Blood stains on your bedsheets. These are caused by the bites bleeding when the bed bugs detach themselves.
• Eggs and eggshells. These are 1mm long and whitish in color.
• Live or dead bugs. Adult bed bugs are around 4mm long, oval-shaped and reddish brown. They look almost like apple seeds. Nymphs (juveniles) are smaller and paler.

Remember that bed bugs can fit into any gap which is wide enough for a credit card to slide into. They prefer tight, secluded spots, so pay attention to cracks and crevices.

After you’ve checked the bed, don’t forget to search the rest of the room. Bed bugs can live almost anywhere.

What is the Treatment for Hives and Bed Bugs?

By now, you should have an idea of whether your problem is more likely to be hives or bed bugs. However, to make sure, it’s a good idea to get a professional opinion.

Schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. They should be able to tell whether the welts are an allergy or insect-related.

If you’ve got hives, your dermatologist will refer you to an allergy specialist. They’ll carry out testing to try and determine what you’re allergic to. In the meantime, you may be prescribed antihistamines.

If your dermatologist thinks that you’ve got bed bug bites, contact an exterminator to arrange an inspection.

Getting rid of bed bugs is, unfortunately, quite complicated. The best way is to seek professional heat treatment. This involves heating your entire home, and everything in it, to a temperature high enough to kill 100% of bed bugs and eggs.

You’ll have to leave your home while this is carried out. If this isn’t an option for you, there are many ways you can try and keep on top of the infestation.

Store-bought insecticides can help. You can also use a mattress encasement and bed bug interceptor traps. You should also launder your clothes and bedsheets at 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kids Health Information : Hives

Hives are slightly raised, red patches of skin called wheals (or welts). They occur in groups on any part of the body, and can look like mosquito bites. They are often itchy, but sometimes also sting. The medical word for hives is urticaria (er-tuh-care-ia).

Hives are usually a sign of an allergic reaction to things like food or an insect sting. Hives are very common – one out of every five people will have hives at some time in their life.

Treatment includes medicines and avoiding known triggers. The triggers may be different for each child.

Signs and symptoms of hives

If your child has hives, they may have raised round wheals that look like mosquito bites. The wheals are red on the outside and white in the middle.

• Hives are normally very itchy, but can also sting.
• A single wheal often lasts around 24 hours before fading without trace.
• The wheals appear in batches or clusters. New batches may develop as old areas fade away. 
• Often the wheals join together to form larger swellings. The area of affected skin can vary in size from quite small to as large as a dinner plate. 
• Hives will usually go away within a few days, but may last weeks.

Hives can look or feel unpleasant, but usually they are harmless.

Anaphylaxis

 Sometimes children have a more serious allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

• difficulty with breathing and/or noisy breathing
• wheeze or persistent cough
• swelling of the tongue
• swelling and/or tightness in the throat
• difficulty talking or hoarse voice
• loss of consciousness and/or collapse
• becoming pale and floppy (infants/young children).

Call an ambulance immediately if your child has symptoms of anaphylaxis.

If your child has experienced anaphylactic reactions in the past, you may be advised to have an adrenaline autoinjector (e.g. an EpiPen) with you at all times. Your child could also wear a medical alert pendant or bracelet to let other people know what may cause them to have an allergic
reaction. Discuss this with your GP.

What causes hives?

Hives are a skin rash usually caused by an allergic reaction. Hives can occasionally occur without a trigger, but usually happen when the immune system responds to a substance (such as a food or insect venom) as if it were toxic (poisonous). Hives occur when blood
plasma leaks from the blood vessels into the skin. This happens when a chemical called histamine is released. 

The following can cause histamine release and hives:

• insect stings or bites
• viral infections (e.g. a cold or hepatitis)
• chemicals in foods, medicines or plants.

For most children, each attack of hives will become more severe and intense if they are repeatedly exposed to the same trigger.

Usually tests are not performed because often it’s impossible to find out what triggers hives in children.

Care at home

Most of the time, hives can be safely managed at home, without the need to see a doctor. A pharmacist might provide you with some antihistamine medication for relief of symptoms during an episode. The best treatment for hives is to avoid the cause or trigger, however this is not
always possible.

You can help treat your child’s hives by:

• avoiding known triggers for your child
• avoiding things that make the rash worse, such as sunshine, heat and hot showers
• applying cool compresses (a face washer, cloth nappy or clean tea towel soaked in cool water), which may help relieve the itching and stinging.

When to see a doctor

 If your child continues to have hives for more than six weeks, take them to see your GP.

Treatment for severe or frequent hives may include:

• checking that the rash isn’t caused by an underlying disorder
• medications such as corticosteroids, which can reduce the immune system’s response to the triggers
• prescribing non-sedating antihistamines to provide relief from itching – these can be very useful if taken at bedtime.

If at any time the hives are associated with other symptoms (high fever, bruising, purple skin discolouration or joint pains), your child should be seen by a doctor.

Key points to remember

• Hives are very common and are usually harmless.
• Hives are a skin rash involving red, raised wheals that are usually very itchy.
• This type of skin rash is an allergic reaction, which means the immune system responds to a substance as if it were toxic.
• Treatment options include avoiding known triggers and medications such as antihistamines and corticosteroids.
• Call an ambulance if your child has symptoms of anaphylaxis.

For more information

Common questions our doctors are asked

How effective are antihistamine medications?

Antihistamine medication won’t treat existing hives, but it will prevent hives from getting worse and prevent new hives from erupting. If your child is exposed to a known trigger, it is best to give them antihistamine medication as soon as you can.

Are there any creams I can put on my child’s hives to stop
them itching?

Talk to your pharmacist about creams and lotions that may help reduce the intensity of the itching. The most effective creams will include antihistamine.

Should I take my child to see an allergy specialist to find
out the cause of his hives?

If you are unable to determine the trigger, it is useful to keep a food and activity diary. An allergy specialist can also perform further testing to determine the most likely triggers for your child’s hives.

Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital General Medicine and Dermatology departments. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.

Reviewed July 2018.

Kids Health Info is supported by The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. To donate, visit

www.rchfoundation.org.au.

Difference Between Hives and Bugs (Health)

Key difference – hives

Insect bites

Skin manifestations and changes are common things we see after an insect bite. The most common occurrence is erythematous, bumpy skin lesions that itch most of the time. These lesions are called hives or urticaria . Accordingly, hives themselves are not a disease, but are a manifestation of pathological changes occurring in the body. also, hives appear as a manifestation of insect bites also. This is the key difference between hives and bugs.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and main differences
2. What are hives
3. What are bug bites
4. Side-by-side comparison – hives against insect bites in tabular form
5. Summary

Which hives (urticaria) ?

The sudden appearance on the skin of erythematous and edematous tubercles is called urticaria or urticaria .

These lesions can appear anywhere on the skin and can cause itching or burning. The size of the hives varies, but in some cases they can coalesce to form larger lesions called plaques. Usually, hives are a self-limiting condition in which individual lesions disappear over the course of the day. Despite the disappearance of existing lesions, new ones continue to appear, depending on the underlying etiology.

Causes

The release of histamine plays a key role in the pathogenesis of urticaria.

• Allergic and hypersensitive reactions
• Adverse effects of various medications such as NSAIDs and ACE inhibitors

Hives that last less than six weeks are called sharp hives. If it lasts more than six weeks, it is defined as chronic hives.

The main types of urticaria

Figure 01: The main types of urticaria

There is a variant of urticaria called angioedema it mainly affects the subcutaneous tissue.Consequently, erythema and accompanying edema are less pronounced.

Investigations

A good medical history is usually sufficient to identify the underlying disease. But in case of abnormal manifestation, the following tests can be performed.

• ESR
• CRP
• RAST
• Chest X-ray

Figure 02: Hives

Treatment

Treatment for urticaria varies depending on the etiology.Common measures and procedures for treating this condition include

• Avoid exposure to allergens and environmental conditions that cause hives
• Use of antihistamines
• Wear protective clothing

What are bug bites?

Being bitten by a bug is a common occurrence that often happens in our daily life. But for some people it can cause unpleasant symptoms and sometimes hospitalization is required….

Clinical features of insect bites

• Minor swelling at the site of the bite
• Mild pain
• itching

In most cases, these symptoms last only a few hours.

Rarely, people can develop anaphylactic reactions characterized by the following clinical features.

• Cough and wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of the face, lips, etc.
• Nausea and diarrhea
• Hives and erythema on the skin

Figure 03: Bug bites

Medical attention only required when the patient develops the signs of anaphylactic shock mentioned above.

What is the difference between hives and bugs?

Basic Information – Hives

Insect Bites

Insect bites can cause urticaria, which is an erythematous and edematous bump on the skin. Accordingly, hives are a manifestation of insect bites and not a disease per se. This can be distinguished as the difference between hives and bugs.

Download PDF version of Hives vs Bug Bites

You can download the PDF version of this article and use it offline as mentioned in the note.Please download the PDF version here.

Ref:

1. Buxton, Paul K. ABC Dermatology . London: BMJ, 2007

Image Credit:

1. ‘Urticaria’By BruceBlaus – Own work, (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Bedbugb1” by James Heilman, MD – Own work (CC BY- SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

90,000 VS left the beekeeper without bees // They prevented a neighbor with an allergy to their bites from using the site

The Civil Collegium of the Supreme Court (SC) considered the case, which defines the limits of the use of a negative claim.Can he defend in a situation where there are no formal violations, but the activities of the defendant endanger the plaintiff for personal reasons? In the case, the summer resident demanded that the neighbor remove obstacles to the use of the property. The neighbor raised bees, and the plaintiff is allergic to their venom. Although the beekeeper complied with the requirements for placing the hives, the Supreme Court upheld the decisions of the lower courts, which sided with the plaintiff.

Lydia Dubrovkina from the Oryol region demanded from her neighbors at the dacha Semyon and Valentina Shpnev to remove obstacles to the use of the site.Firstly, they raised bees, and Lydia Dubrovkina was allergic to their stings, which was confirmed by a doctor’s note. Secondly, on the part of the defendants, there is a 2.15 m high fence, a wooden shed and an apricot with an apple tree at the border of the plots. They shade the neighbor’s area and prevent it from being used for its intended purpose.

The first instance and appeal supported Lydia Dubrovkina. Valentina Shpneva, the owner of the site, was ordered by the courts to dismantle the canopy and fence, cut down the apricot and apple tree. They are planted too close to the plaintiff’s site.The roof of the canopy protrudes over the neighbor’s plot, and a high fence shades it. All together, it prevents Lydia Dubrovkina from using the plot “intended for growing agricultural crops.” Semyon Shpnev was ordered by the courts to dismantle the apiary. He did not take into account the “interests of the security of the plaintiff.” A reaction to bee stings is a threat to her health.

Valentina and Semyon Shpnevy filed a complaint with the Armed Forces, but on May 28 the civil collegium did not support them. It follows from the judgment in the case that the applicants apparently agreed with the arguments regarding the trees and shed, but tried to keep the fence and hives.According to the rules for keeping honey bees [1], the hives should be no closer than three meters to neighboring areas. This restriction does not exist if there is a solid fence with a height of at least two meters. Therefore, the applicants considered, a high fence is necessary to meet the requirements for the maintenance of the apiary.

But this argument in itself cannot serve as a basis for preserving the fence in violation of the plaintiff’s rights, the civil panel decided. After all, then the ability to maintain an apiary is derived from the ability to install a fence.The Armed Forces were not convinced by the fact that the previous owner of the neighboring site gave his consent to the maintenance of the apiary and the construction of controversial structures.

Apparently, the decisive factor for the VS was the presence of an allergy to bees in Lydia Dubrovkina, which Semyon Shpnev knew about. He was even brought to administrative responsibility for the placement of hives (according to the law of the Oryol region of June 6, 2013 No. 1490-03 “On liability for administrative offenses”). Therefore, the civil collegium believes, “the formal observance by the defendant of the veterinary and sanitary rules for keeping hives with bee colonies in itself is not an unconditional basis for refusing a claim in the presence of a court-established threat to the plaintiff’s health created by the defendants’ maintenance of the apiary.”

The Civil Collegium upheld the decisions of the lower courts that supported Lydia Dubrovkina.

[1] Veterinary rules for keeping honey bees in order to reproduce, grow, sell and use for pollination of agricultural entomophilous plants and obtain beekeeping products, approved by order of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia dated May 19, 2016 No. 194.

90,000 differences in the photo, in pictures, comparison, differences in sting and bites

Breed of Buckfast bees and their characteristics

Description of the Buckfast bee breed and their characteristics will help to objectively evaluate all the pros and cons of the species, and decide whether it is worth breeding such insects in an apiary.
Firstly, it should be borne in mind that the breed was bred by breeders, and it is based on Italian bees, therefore all subspecies of Buckfast have a characteristic yellow color. Despite the constituent hybrids, all insects of this species have some common features (Figure 6):

• Insects practically do not swarm, but at the same time they bring a fairly large amount of brood. Moreover, it is not recommended to restrict the growth of the family, as this can negatively affect the honey collection.
• Insects collect little propolis, as Egyptian breed was used to create the hybrid;
• They are characterized by a calm character and do not show aggression when the beekeeper is working with a hive.

In addition, the queens of this breed are distinguished by high fertility, and the insects themselves are excellent endurance, therefore, in most cases, they tolerate winter well. However, these insects are not suitable for the northern regions due to their insufficiently high frost resistance.

Body measurements

In nature, there are species whose body length is almost the same, so it can be difficult to distinguish who is who by this feature. Despite this, the overall size and structure of the body can indicate who is talking about. This is another sign of how you can tell these insects apart.

Important fact! Despite its body length, the Bombus species always looks more massive than graceful bees and wasps.

Lifestyle

Insects also differ in their way of life:

• The flight of a bee is distinguished by its softness, unhurriedness.A nectar gatherer needs to visit many flowers without missing a single one. The wasp flies swiftly, at high speed, but can freeze for a moment in the air;
• All insects prefer to live in families, which mainly consist of ordinary workers, one queen and drones.

Domestication and domestication:

• For domestic bees, man made comfortable hives. Workers produce wax, from which they build honeycombs;
• Wild individuals equip themselves with a nest in tree cavities, mountain crevices.

Wasps also live in a group, where responsibilities between them are clearly distributed. Sometimes they prefer to live as hermits. Their nest is round, as if made of thin crumpled paper. In fact, they make it from rotten wood, dry plants.

Mud and small debris are used for the construction of the nest. They attach their nests to the walls of the house, large branches of a tree, dense grass, even in a thick stem of a plant, an abandoned mitten, a piece of cardboard.

Behavior

Wasp and bee can live in a group, accumulating up to several thousand individuals and singly. The uterus begins to build a hornet’s nest, first it builds one layer, then the rest. Then she mates once with the drone, begins to lay the larvae, supplying food.

At the beginning of summer, the female lays larvae, from which sterile individuals will hatch. Closer to autumn, the larvae, from which individuals will appear, are capable of reproduction. They develop in the cell, feeding on previously prepared immobilized insects.Sometimes wasps lay larvae in the body of large beetles. During its development, the status gradually rises. She starts by cleaning the nest, ends up getting food. In autumn, all ordinary individuals and drones freeze, only the uterus remains alive.

There is also a clear division of responsibilities in the bee swarm. Some individuals deliver nectar to the hive. Others put nectar in honeycombs, while others clean the hive of dead individuals. There are cell cleaners, toddlers and guardians who stand at the entrance, the job is to keep outsiders out.Defenders protect the home from attackers, these include a man, a bear.

Each ordinary worker gradually goes through all the stages of the listed works during her life. So it is prescribed by nature. The young individual begins by cleaning the combs. Then she has milk, she starts feeding the uterus and young larvae. Then the bee feeds the older larvae with bee bread. Then he takes the nectar from the collecting bees, or stores it in cells. Then the time comes for her to clean up the garbage, when the wax glands begin to work for her, then she starts building, clogging the honeycomb.After 18 days, the glands that produce poison begin to act, then they are trusted to protect the hive.

The bee colony builds up a stock of bee bread for the winter months and for the rainy summer days. Closer to autumn, when there is little food, they destroy drones.

The mating queen flies into the wild. In free flight, it chooses a more viable male sometimes from another hive.

The nature of the bites

The wasp stings much more painfully, but the nature of the bites has its own similarities.

As mentioned above, wasps can bite several times. At the same time, there is a risk of infection, since wasps often visit places where there is complete unsanitary conditions. As for the bee, the sting is not so dangerous, because the only thing bees are doing is collecting nectar from flowers – honey plants.

Everyone should be able to provide first aid for wasp and bee stings. Ignorance of these rules, as well as illiterate actions can harm human health. This is especially true for people prone to allergies, young children, expectant mothers and people with poor health.

As a result of a bee or wasp sting, the following characteristic signs appear:

• Swelling of the bite site.
• Redness.
• Severe throbbing pain.
• Deterioration of health.

In cases where the human body has increased sensitivity, the reaction can be as follows:

• Swelling increases, the tissues of the larynx, tongue and face area swell.
• Breathing problems appear: attacks of suffocation are possible.
• The heart starts to beat much faster.
• Redness extends over a much larger area of ​​the body.
• Possible fever or cold sweat.
• The person has a feeling of anxiety.

Anaphylactic reactions appear if the degree of intoxication of the body is more severe:

• A person loses consciousness.
• Hemorrhage in the eye area.
• Human skin becomes pale.
• The pulse is barely palpable or is 100 beats per minute, or even more.
• Pressure either high or low.
• Breathing problems, the victim can barely breathe.
• Tachycardia develops.
• Painful sensations appear in the abdomen and breasts.
• The wound is very itchy.
• Possible nausea and dizziness.

Wasps in medicine

The venom of Brazilian wasps is unique in its composition. As a result of many years of research, it was revealed that the venom of the mentioned wasps is capable of destroying cancer cells without affecting healthy tissues.The reason for this phenomenal action lies in the special structure of the protein, which, interacting with the fats of cancer cells, converts them into a liquid substance.

It is already reliably known that the venom of the Brazilian wasp has been shown to be effective against cancer of the prostate, bladder and blood.

Now scientists are working in laboratories to create a synthetic analogue of a unique protein. It is possible that in a few years mankind will receive a universal cure for cancer.

What to do if bitten by a wasp?

Members of the aspen family guard their nest very zealously. In view of this, someone who approached him by accident or on purpose may have major troubles. One wasp is poisonous, and the most ruthless attack of many insects is definitely waiting for the family that disturbed the nest, which is an order of magnitude more dangerous to health.

The bite of such a creature is painful, and the place where the little dirty trick launched her sting turns red and swells. If this is an ordinary wasp, and not a representative of some particularly poisonous species, then the pain from the bite usually goes away in half an hour.But the swelling remains.

Not only humans, but the wasps themselves may not be welcome guests. As mentioned, in search of food, they try to get closer to people. And it may so happen that a man and a wasp will share one delicacy.

Bringing food to your mouth, it is quite possible not to notice the unbearable creature sitting on it. And then the bite of the wasp will be the most painful, because it will launch its sting into the tongue or other delicate tissues in the mouth.

This can seriously damage the airways, and their swelling can cause asthma attacks.This is especially dangerous for allergy sufferers, who should remember that when going out into nature, it is always better to have the necessary medications with you.

A victim of such insects needs to cool the bite site in a timely manner with ice or a wet towel. Plantain helps a lot in such cases. Its leaves are first washed, then crumpled and applied to the affected area. Such compresses should be changed from time to time, and then painful redness and swelling usually disappear quickly.

Interesting facts

These insects are interesting because they are:

• Bees, after fertilization of the uterus by males, attack them and drive them out of the family. After that, they quickly die, since they cannot independently provide themselves with food.
• Wasps can also make honey, but no one has seen it. The microscopic volume of honey is at the bottom of the cell. It is necessary so that the larvae have something to eat at first. After that, they switch to eating protein foods.
• Bumblebees appear on inflorescences earlier than anyone else and begin to pollinate plants earlier than anyone else.
• The hornet is a real predator that prefers to feed on live insects.
• The worker bee can transmit information to its relatives about where the food object is.

Each insect has its pros and cons. Unfortunately, many people unreasonably destroy insects, although absolutely useless living creatures do not exist in nature. In the event of the extinction of some species, humanity simply will not be able to survive.

The difference between a bee sting and a wasp and a bumblebee

Compared to bees and bumblebees, wasps are the most nervous and aggressive. It is worth awkwardly brushing it off or just not pleasing them with my smell – I use a sting. Among all the Hymenoptera, it is most often and most painful. In addition, they are still able to bite painfully with their powerful jaws.

The sting of wasps is smooth, when it is stuck into the skin, it does not remain in the wound, so she can use it an unlimited number of times – it will fly off and again rush into the attack.It does not harm her health. The poison causes severe pain, burning and swelling, especially if a large specimen bites.

If the insect disappeared from sight after the sting, then you can understand who it was – a wasp or a bee – by the presence or absence of a sting in the wound.

Bees value their sting and sting only when absolutely necessary. They can only sting once, while crippling themselves and soon perishing. The sting of bees is serrated, so it remains in the wound with a piece torn from the back of the body.But the stinging sensation is not as painful as in the case of the wasp.

Wasps and bees, when attacking, give a signal to their relatives, and soon they attack the offender together. Bumblebees are also capable of doing this, but since they mostly fly alone, in a conflict with them, most often you have to deal with only one individual.

Bumblebees sting stronger than bees and paper wasps, but weaker than hornets. Their sting is smooth, does not remain in the wound. To provoke a bumblebee to aggression, you need to try, since this insect is much calmer than wasps and bees.

Sting

People are often stung by a wasp and a bee, stings are always unpleasant, painful. But there are differences with bites from bees and wasps. Both types are equipped with a sting, but they use it in different ways.

Bee sting with protruding barbs, resembling a tiny harpoon. When attacking, the tip of the sting pierces the top layer of the skin, poison is injected through a thin channel. The difference is that when trying to pull the sting back, the intestines of the inhabitant of the hive come off, this leads to death.

The wasp sting is more developed. It is smooth, very sharp. During a bite, a poisonous substance enters the victim’s blood. For each species (breed), the composition of the poison is different.

If one individual attacks, then another and a third can immediately fly up. After the attack, she can calmly take out her weapon and fly further, sting again. However, only females sting. In them, the sting simultaneously performs the functions of egg-laying.

Difference between bites

Wasp and bee stings cause pain from the poison injected into the blood.From the action of the poison, the victim feels a burning sensation, itching, sometimes an allergy. The skin at the site of the bite swells, reddens, especially from a wasp sting. The site of the bite should not be combed.

If the victim has a fever, call a doctor. Bites from wasps are especially dangerous for children, pregnant women.

Comparison of two insects

There are several points on which wasps and bees agree:

1. Both have neatly symmetrical combs;
2. The main weapon is a sting;
3. There are social, semi-social and solitary individuals, although individualism is much less developed in bees.

Otherwise, these species are fundamentally different from each other.

Comparative characteristics of bees and wasps

Although the wasp is considered a useless insect, its role is also important. These are natural cleaners, orderlies of fields and vegetable gardens

They destroy dead insects and animals, which is important from the point of view of maintaining the natural balance

Interesting. Wasps know how to make paper, from which they subsequently build spherical nests. The paper is made by chewing wood.

Who is stronger than a bee or a wasp

The most powerful insect is a species of the Wasp family – the hornet.In temperate latitudes, an adult working individual has a body length of 2.5 cm, a uterus – 3.5 cm. The length of a sting in females is 3 mm. Hornet is a predator insect. It feeds on arthropods and feeds its offspring with them. Often engaged in the destruction of bee nests. Kills bees and robs their honey. Also feeds on fruit and berry juice.

Wasps know how to make paper, from which spherical nests are subsequently built.

The main danger lies not in the strength of its bite, but in its increased toxicity. The poison contains toxins, histamines, acetylcholine, substances that irritate the nervous system.Such a complex has a strong depressing effect on the body, increased pain syndrome. After a bite, the heartbeat increases, disproportionate edema, general weakness and the most unforeseen reactions of the body appear.

Fortunately, hornets are rare. They behave less aggressively than normal wasps. Most often, they settle under the roofs of residential premises and buildings. They do not attack a person unnecessarily. But the neighborhood with the hornet family is always fraught with a great threat.Therefore, if a nest is found, it is necessary to urgently take measures to eliminate it.

In nature, everything is balanced and organized according to certain rules. For humans, a bee is undoubtedly a more practical, useful and safe insect. But wasps also fulfill their important function of a waste destroyer, they also fell and died

For safety, wasp hives (and even more so hornets) need to be destroyed, but this should be done with extreme caution. The optimal time for this is winter, when the insect is in hibernation

If there is a need to destroy the nest in the summer, you do not need to try to knock it down with a stick, this threatens a massive attack.In summer, it is best to destroy the nest at night with the help of chemicals. While the insects are sleeping, you need to spray the product inside the hive and immediately leave the room. To protect yourself from a surprise attack, you must wear a protective suit.

Arrangement of nests

Bees build their beehive from wax (they allocate it themselves), making strictly symmetrical honeycombs inside. Domestic bees live in special houses that beekeepers build for them. A hive of wild bees can be located in a hollow of a tree or in a crevice of a sheer cliff.

Wasps build their home from parchment, which is made by chewing wood or other vegetable cellulose. Their hive has a round shape, it is gray in color, looks like paper. Wasps attach the hive to tree branches or ceilings of little-visited buildings, and sometimes they arrange it in the ground.

The nest of bumblebees is called a bombidarium, insects arrange it in the holes of small animals, hollows, abandoned bird nests. The first cells of their nest bumblebees, just like bees, build their wax.For the construction of subsequent cells, they use capsules of already hatched larvae.

Prevention, friends, must always be done

People who are prone to allergies to wasps should avoid meeting wasps, but for this you should not:

• eat outside;
• touch or try to damage the hornet’s nest;
• Use floral fragrances of perfumes and deodorants;
• gesticulate, scream and panic in the presence of a wasp;
• Kill one individual in the presence of his fellows nearby;
• Walk barefoot on tall grass, especially where fruit trees grow.

But it is important to follow these rules:

1. Use insect repellent sprays and creams.
2. Ventilate the room if there is a mosquito net on the windows.
3. Inspect food and drink containers for insects.
4. Hang special adhesive tapes to attract wasps.
5. You should always have allergy remedies (ointments, ampoules, tablets) with you.
6. If wasps built a nest near the house, call specialists to help deprive them of their habitat.

Not every person is able to foresee an encounter with such an insidious predator insect, but everyone can make sure that it turns out to be without disastrous consequences.

Wasps in nature

They have different sizes and subspecies, they are able to benefit, and not only sting, eat grapes and attack hives . To feed the larvae, they need protein, which is found in honey, beer, kvass, meat, ripe fruits and insects available to them.

Do wasps pollinate plants

Wasp has no furry, and its structure does not imply the collection of pollen. Therefore, it does not participate in the process of pollination of plants. Even if you see it on flowers, then it only collects food, and does not pollinate. Mature individuals feed on nectar of flowers, protein of fruits and blood of insects – spiders, flies, midges, beetle larvae, etc.

Borrowing color by other insects

Some insects in nature have mimicked the color of wasps in order to protect themselves from birds. Knowing the aggressive behavior of the wasp, many birds bypass the completely harmless flies, which have a similar striped color.

The most famous imitators are as follows:

hoverfly , which received this name for the characteristic sound made by the wings. It is absolutely harmless and can well pollinate umbrella plants – dill, parsley, carrots;

glass butterfly – refers to garden pests. She is able to lay eggs in the bark near the buds, which spoils the stems and branches. Young plants slow down their growth or die altogether.Butterflies are distinguished by their bright color with imitation of “wasp” colors;

predator bug – not only imitates the appearance of road wasps, but also behavior. He attacks the victim with his proboscis, immobilizes her with poison and sucks blood;

plagionotus beetle is a harmless mimicrant, dotted with yellow dots and stripes. This species feeds on the nectar of flowers and colors are misleading to birds and predatory insects.

Benefits and harm from bees and wasps

It is often said that the bees were created by God, and the wasps were created by the devil.How true this saying is, you can learn from the lifestyle of those and other insects.

Bees:

• An exceptionally useful insect that provides humans with a valuable food product – honey.
• These insects pollinate up to 80% of all plants on our planet.
• A bee can only bite a person if the person provokes it.

Wasps:

• These insects often appear in places where food decays, as a result of which they suffer dangerous ailments.
• Wasps fly just like that, they don’t give anything to a person, but they can steal honey.
• They build nests in close proximity to a person, as a result of which the person becomes the target of an attack.
• Wasps can also live in families and alone, while the queen hibernates alone.
• They feed on ripe apples, pears, grapes, etc., causing significant damage to the crop.
• Striped aggressors bite very painfully. As a result of a wasp sting, intoxication of the body occurs.
• Wasps visit places that can serve as a source of dangerous diseases. Therefore, they may have pathogens of various infections on their paws. Even with a single wasp sting, cases of secondary infection are possible, which cannot be said about bees.

If these insects suddenly disappear

Currently, ecologists are sounding the alarm due to the fact that the number of bumblebee and bee colonies is noticeably decreasing. If the wasps disappear, then hardly anyone will think about it, although it cannot be considered that wasps are completely useless insects.

If bees and bumblebees disappear, then humanity will face real hunger, since there will be no one to pollinate cultivated plants, and a person himself will not be able to cope with this daunting task. Scientists, and they do not know what can be done at present to renew the number of these families.

Anatomy of insects

The anatomical structure of a bee consists of organs:

• digestion; 90 039 90 038 breath;
• lymphatic system;
• genitals, which are located in the abdominal region.

In a honey insect, the abdomen is egg-shaped, in the uterus it is oblong, and in drones it has a blunt end. It consists of segments, which are a ring of 2 halves. The drone has 7 segments, the rest have 6. Between the last segments there is a stinging apparatus.

The digestive system of bees consists of 3 sections, and digestion occurs during the movement of food through the channel. The lymphatic system is not closed, filled with hemolymph and fluid.The organs of the system include the heart of five chambers and blood vessels.

The internal structure of a bee in section looks as follows: a number of glands, vessels, nodes, food organs. A feature of the structure of the respiratory system is the presence of air sacs without a chitinous lining inside and the tracheal system with holes in the rings, which open depending on the state of the insect and the degree of its load.

The nervous system of a bee consists of the following parts:

• central;
• peripheral;
• vegetative.

The weight of the bee depends on the functional responsibilities in the family. For a honey bee, it is 0.1 g, and for a queen – 0.25 g.

The oral apparatus consists of an upper and lower lip, paired upper and lower jaws. In a bee, the mouth apparatus is equipped with a proboscis, with which the insect collects nectar.

Insect sting

The bee sting has small notches, due to which it always remains in the body of the victim. If you look at the sting of a bee under a microscope, you can see a chitinous stylet with a thickening in the shape of a saw at the proximal end.There are 2 lancets inside the stylet.

Wasps, hornets, ants also use a sting. This organ is a modified ovipositor and is located behind the abdominal region. The sting is a pointed organ and part of the body. With its help, a wasp or bee injects a poisonous substance under the skin.

The stinging organ is used to defend against attacks. The sting is located at the end of the insect’s abdomen and, when bitten, continues to act at the expense of the glands for a long time. After a bite, an open fatal wound is formed at the place where the sting of the bee is.Not only the honey can sting, but also the uterus, if necessary, to protect the family from attack and to fight against someone else’s uterus.

The main differences in the structure of the sting of the wasp and the bee:

• The sting of the wasp has small notches;
• the wasp has no knot at the tip of the sting;
• the bee leaves its sting in the victim and dies;
• The wasp can sting multiple times.

Unlike bees, wasps use not only a sting, but also their jaws in case of an external threat.A wasp sting is very painful, and if there is an allergic reaction in a person, it can be dangerous.

Insect feeding and habitat

Among wasps, there are predators and herbivores. Depending on the species, wasps eat very differently: aphids, pollen, nectar, insects, fruit juice. Predatory wasps catch their prey and paralyze them with poison.

Wasps live everywhere, not only in the Arabian Peninsula, the Arctic and the Sahara. The conditions necessary for the life of bees are markedly different: insects need plant resources with fruit trees, pastures, fields with industrial and grain crops (sunflower, buckwheat).

The closer the apiary is to the urban agglomerations, the higher the probability of the presence of chemical elements in the form of heavy metals in honey. In search of nectar, the bee flies long distances.

Productivity in the collection of honey largely depends on the amount of brood raised by workers. The flight speed of a bee with a filled goiter is 30-40 km / h. With intensive work, the amount of nectar collected by the bee colony is 10-12 kg.

A worker bee makes 26 flights per day.The mass of the bee is not stable. In the period of the first emergence, the mass of a bee is 0.122 g, in flight – 0.120 g, and the old flying bee – 0.108 g. The life span of a bee born in autumn can be 7-8 months, and a summer bee – up to 6 weeks. But the life span of insects can be regulated if the family for some reason has lost its uterus.

The difference between a bee and a wasp is not only external. By their way of life, bees are toilers, working for the good of the family. Collecting nectar from flowers, they produce many useful products:

• honey;
• royal milk;
• wax.

Many of them are used in the pharmaceutical industry (bee venom). Wasps are incapable of producing useful products, and they build honeycombs from waste. Bees feed exclusively on pollen, and the diet of wasps is varied and includes an abundance of products

Very often in the garden they can be found on ripe apples or peaches, and inadvertently being stung

Varieties of bumblebees for toxicity of poison

More than 300 species of these hymenoptera are known , and they are distributed throughout the globe.The exceptions are most regions in Africa and Australia. Bumblebees do not bite if they are not “touched”, these are peace-loving insects, but their venom is more toxic than bee venom.

Did you know? Not all bumblebees sting – only females bite, as males do not have a stinger.

The strength of the action of the poison on the human body largely depends on the type of insect:

1. An ordinary bumblebee has a black body on which there are two yellow stripes. It nests in the ground and is a very rare member of the insect family, found only in western Europe and is a protected species.

2. Forest. The smallest representative of the discussed insect family. It also has a less bright color compared to other types of bumblebees. Their nests of moss and grass are found on the surface of the earth. Also, representatives of this species of insects inhabit the abandoned burrows of rodents.

3. The purple carpenter bumblebee, a bright insect, has a beautiful blue-black color and indigo wings. But he refers to bumblebees only by his names, which are given for external similarity.In fact, this is a bee, their nests can be found in dry wood.

4. Garden, very large representative of this insect family. The length of the female is about 25 mm. Coloring – bright and expressive, consists of three colors – black, yellow and white. It occupies abandoned mouse holes for nesting.

5. The ground bumblebee has a yellow stripe on the chest and a white tail. Bumblebee females reach a length of 19–23 mm.

How to provide first aid?

The first thing to do to provide first aid is to remove the sting from the victim’s body.The manipulation is carried out carefully and carefully. If you do not remove it from the skin promptly, with the blood cycle, wasp venom will begin to circulate throughout the body.

Extraction is carried out with tweezers, which are pre-sterilized with alcohol. Hydrogen peroxide is not an effective tool for this type of sterilization. There is no need to try to squeeze the poison out of the bite site. Contrary to popular belief, this action is futile. And the victim can get the attachment of secondary infections, which no one expects from a simple insect bite.Sometimes the affected area is smeared with antibacterial ointments.

The second step is local flushing and secondary disinfection. To do this, you need a sterile sponge, cotton wool or bandage moistened with a solution of potassium permanganate, ammonia or peroxide. In order to relieve pain, you can use the cold compress method, which relieves pain, redness and swelling. To make a compress, the bitten area is covered with ice. There should be a clean tissue layer between the skin and the ice.

The sting of a bee versus the tip of a needle

During such stress, the human body loses a lot of moisture. This loss needs to be replenished, and unsweetened green tea and water work well for this purpose. If the victim has suffered a severe allergic reaction, the doctor will prescribe antihistamines and advise to smear the bite site with a healing ointment. Allergy sufferers need to have a special passport with information about insect bites.

In case of the most serious allergic reactions, the patient may be prescribed inpatient treatment.Typically, it can last up to 7 days. During this time, the doctor will conduct the necessary examination, and after that, in addition to antihistamine therapy, he can prescribe a course of immunostimulants.

Wasp stings can happen anywhere. Serious danger lies in wait during outdoor recreation, where a quick arrival of an ambulance is simply impossible. If a person has suffered from an attack by such an insect, but there are no serious symptoms, then it is recommended to immediately end the walk and consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Wasp bite ointment

As a last resort, you can provide first aid, which was described above. Do not forget about disinfecting the instrument with which the sting will be removed. After processing the tool, remove the sting and process the bite site. After that, you can not be afraid of serious and unpredictable consequences.

If the victim gets worse, the pain does not subside, the swelling and swelling increases, suffocation, loss of consciousness is observed, and there is no doctor nearby, rescue of the patient requires urgent measures.It is necessary to carry out activities such as artificial respiration and chest compressions.

How do hornets reproduce?

At the beginning of spring, the overwintered fertilized female begins to look for a place to lay eggs. She flies long distances in search of a suitable place and, finding a quiet corner, begins to build a nest. The material for the nest is wood dust, tree skins, young branches – all this is processed with hornets to a certain consistency and smeared with sticky saliva, which plays the role of construction glue.

The house is stepped, a separate sector is allocated for each larva. A few days after laying, a small individual hatches from each egg, gnaws at the roof of its cell and gets out. This occurs in early summer, during which the cubs have time to grow up and become independent.

Young females from the new offspring are fertilized and prepare to winter, not fertilized females. Thus, only those queens that are ready to reproduce again in the spring go into winter.

Preparations with a normal reaction to a sting of a bee, wasp

Use a product based on natural ingredients, herbal extracts, essential oils.

• Menovazine. Produced in the form of an ointment, solution. In the composition of menthol and 2 anesthetic components. Relief comes at the time of application. Processed up to 4 times per day.
• Calendula. Apply ointment, solution. It has anti-inflammatory, decongestant, antipruritic, disinfecting, analgesic properties.
• Sprocket. The balm contains camphor, clove oil, mint, menthol, and other natural ingredients. The tool eliminates painful symptoms, stops inflammation, and accelerates tissue regeneration. It should be smeared for redness, pain, itching, inflammation.
• Boro-Plus. Antiseptic cream based on oils, herbal extracts. Smells good, helps quickly. The universal preparation is allowed to be applied, if necessary, up to 5 times a day.

Means that help with a wasp sting

If no improvement in the condition of the skin is observed within 2 days, agents are used to reduce the activity of histamines.

What helps relieve itching and pain?

Do not endure itching and pain. Better to smear the itchy area with antipruritic drugs. Along with ready-made medicines, folk remedies also help to eliminate discomfort. Before treating the bite site of this representative of the order of Hymenoptera, it is worth coordinating the therapeutic measures taken with a doctor. To do this, it is not at all necessary to go to the hospital; it is more convenient to do this by phone.

Pharmacy preparations

Treatment, that is, the elimination of itching and pain, is carried out with the help of ointments and gels for topical use.Significant relief will be brought by such drugs as Advantan, Fenistil, Rescuer, Diprospan. If there are signs of an allergic reaction, Hydrocortisone, which should be applied to the itchy area every 8 hours, and Psilobalm, which is used up to 4 times a day, will benefit.

Folk remedies

The importance of preventive measures

The disease is easier to prevent than to treat later

Therefore, it is important for everyone to know a few rules on how to avoid stings of bees, wasps and hornets.They will help to minimize an unpleasant meeting with a stinging insect

When going for a walk to the forest, to the country house or to the park, do not use perfume

Active insects, “smelling” strong aromas from afar, will show you increased attention. Brightness in clothing attracts stinging insects as much as persistent scents. Flowers painted on the fabric will be an excellent excuse for their acquaintance with you.

Among the safest options that do not attract the attention of wasps, bees and hornets will be clothes in neutral calm tones, white or beige.Choose resting areas that are away from waste bins, trash cans, and any food waste. These places are the favorite habitat of winged insects. You should not eat sweets and fruits, drink carbonated drinks on the street. Products with a specific and strong odor will also attract insects. Walking barefoot is dangerous: hornets and wasps often nest in the ground. A human foot that steps into their territory runs the risk of being bitten. Remember that bees, collecting pollen from low-growing flowers or resting in dense grass, can also aggressively perceive your interference in their “personal” space; Loose clothing will become a “haven” for insects if they manage to get into its folds or under it.If you notice an insect circling above you, do not wave your arms until it stops feeling threatened by you. If insects get into an enclosed space, help free them by opening windows and doors. Feeling trapped, insects will show strong aggression.

If the bite cannot be avoided, do not panic. Many connoisseurs talk about the usefulness of small doses of bee venom. The main thing is to exclude the likelihood of developing an allergy, which can end in a formidable complication – anaphylactic shock.

Habitat

The difference between the bumblebee, hornet, wasp, bee
It is clear that the place of residence for domestic bees are hives built by man. Wild representatives of this family (wasps) prefer to build nests in tree hollows. Bumblebees look for more secluded places, building their houses in the ground, less often in birdhouses and tree trunks. Both are found in fields and in villages, they can also be found in city parks and botanical gardens.

Hornets build nests in cracks in rocks, in hollows and on tree branches, as well as under eaves of buildings.Wasps build them almost everywhere. The house of stinging insects can be located on the stems of plants, and in the branches of shrubs, and in the attics of baths, sheds or verandas. Biting off pieces of fibers from wood, they moisten them with their saliva, as a result of which the building material becomes a kind of thick paper.

Differences in the structure of the nest

Hornets in nature destroy the larvae of harmful insects, which has a beneficial effect on the state of the garden and vegetable garden. Why kill these “helpers” and where to set the traps correctly? It is necessary to destroy hornet nests only in extreme cases, if they are located in the courtyard of a house or threaten an apiary.

From ready-made products, “Dichlorvos”, “Karbofos”, “Raptor” and other chemical insecticides are suitable. They need to be sprinkled generously into a plastic bag and put the bag over the nest, securing it with tape. Hard-to-reach places can be reached with the help of a smoke bomb, which, during smoldering, emits poisonous gas and kills any insects.

The owners of summer cottages set homemade traps from plastic bottles. To do this, cut off the third part from the side of the neck (a funnel is obtained) and insert it with the neck down into the remaining container.Jam or honey is placed at the bottom of the trap so that the insects crawl through the neck inside and cannot get out.

Not very large hornet houses are watered with boiling water or boric acid solution. You can also attach the bucket of water to a ladder so that the nest is half submerged in the liquid. Representatives of the winged family will get wet, will not be able to take off and will die.

Some summer residents pour gasoline over the family cocoon and set it on fire. This method is very effective, but not safe, since the nests are usually located among dry rags or under the roof of the house – a fire is possible.Stores sell special scarers that emit sound waves that are unpleasant for wasps, bees and other winged species. However, they have a short-term effect, as soon as the device is turned off, uninvited guests return to the site again and disturb people.

Beekeepers build special houses for domestic bees. Inside, insects form wax honeycombs, the material for which they produce themselves. One family, there are several thousand individuals who work hard, extract nectar, feed the larvae.In the wild, bees occupy tree hollows, old stumps.

Insect nests

Community wasps live in parchment-shaped nests. Get it in a special way. Spit out saliva on the wood, after a few minutes they scrape off the top layer with their jaws. Chew several times, get a sticky, viscous substance. Honeycombs are formed from it. Outwardly, a hornet’s nest resembles a sphere the size of an apple, gray, brown.

Features of the internal structure

This insect is easily recognizable among many others.The structure of the body of the bee is similar to the structure of the bodies of other members of the class. It is clearly subdivided into three sections: head, chest, and abdomen. Each of them carries its own organs.

On the sides of the head are a pair of compound eyes, and between them – up to three simple ones. Each of them perceives only a part of the image, and in the aggregate, a holistic picture is formed. This vision is called mosaic. Each eye consists of a lens surrounded by hairs and pigment cells. Thanks to the latter, the absorption of the sun’s rays occurs.

Both types of eyes have their own specialization. With the help of complex bees, they examine objects that are far away. This helps them to orient themselves in space during the flight. Simple eyes form a clear image of closely spaced objects. This feature helps them in collecting pollen.

The structure of the thoracic region of the bee is represented by three segments, each of which is joined by a pair of legs. On the limbs there are sharp claws, with the help of which the bees cling to various surfaces.The structure of the legs of a working bee is characterized by the presence of separate segments. There are nine of them in each limb.

An interesting function in bees is performed by the third part of the body – the abdomen. It can grow in size. The working bees have digestive organs here, and the drones and the queen have reproductive organs. The spiracles are also located on the abdomen. These are the holes that open the trachea outward.

If, according to the proverb, “the wolf is fed by the legs,” then the bee’s wings do it.There are four of them. The two front ones are larger, since they bear the bulk of the load during flight. The rear fenders act as a rudder for smooth cornering.

In a static position, the bee folds its aircraft along its body. In this case, the front fenders completely cover the rear ones. During takeoff, they stick together. The wings are connected in one plane.

The pectoral muscles drive the wings. The bees are real flight record holders.So, in one second, they make up to 450 strokes. Within a minute, the insect travels about a kilometer. But if a bee flies with nectar, its flight speed is significantly reduced.

How far can these insects move in search of a treat? The maximum indicator is 11, and the optimal one is 2 kilometers. The fact is that the further the honey bee flies, the less nectar it will bring. On average, this figure is 50 mg.

If you look at the wings of a bee under a microscope, you can see numerous vessels filled with hemolymph.This fluid carries out respiratory and metabolic functions.

Features of the anatomy of the main organ systems of bees are associated with their ability to produce a magical substance – honey. This mainly concerns the digestive system. It has specialized organs – a honey goiter and subpharyngeal glands. In the former, nectar is stored, and with the help of enzymes of the latter, it is converted into honey.

Developed muscular system in conjunction with the nervous system allows bees to fly quickly and perform “jewelry” work – building honeycombs, searching for and collecting nectar.This activity is possible due to the continuous breathing process.

Metabolism is also characterized by intensity. It is supported by numerous excretory organs – malpighian vessels. These are thin tubes that function as urine. The fatty bodies of bees contain enocytes. These intercalated cells also take part in metabolism and remove waste products from the body.

The main difference between a bee and a wasp is in the presence of a triangular head with a brain and the main part of the nervous system in it.Faceted eyes. A round tube tapering downward extends from each hexagonal plate on the back. Its walls are covered by a shell that transmits light. From below, a branched nerve approaches each tube.

The wasp has two pairs of membranous wings, and the size of the body is 1.5-10 cm. On the sides of the head there is one large compound eye, which allows you to see in different directions at the same time. Two movable antennae with olfactory organs that help to navigate in the dark extend from the forehead.With the help of antennae, the insect can determine the level of humidity, temperature, concentration of carbon dioxide in the nest.

Antennae located on the head are intended for:

• direct and remote perception;
• for determining the size of the cells when constructing the nest;
• taste buds.

The insect has three pairs of legs attached to the underside of the chest and consisting of nine segments. The paw is formed from five parts, connected by a chitinous film.The wings consist of membranes and are held by veins; during flight, they are located perpendicular to the body.

How to choose bees

Bees are hymenoptera and are used for the production of honey and other products. South Asia is considered the birthplace of insects, and from there these insects spread throughout the world.

A characteristic feature of this species is living in families consisting of a queen, several tens of thousands of workers and several hundred (or thousands, in large families) of drones.It is noteworthy that in summer the number of worker bees increases, and in winter it decreases significantly.

As a rule, after two to three years, the egg production of the uterus sharply decreases, so it is replaced with a younger individual. A productive uterus lays up to 2.5 thousand eggs per day, and during the season this figure can grow up to 200 thousand.

The queen almost never leaves the hive. The only exception can be the period of swarming and mating. In addition, if a queen from one family meets another, a fight will surely start between the insects, and a stronger and more agile representative will win.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with: Raptor remedies for ants – gel, granules, aerosol and other forms

A characteristic biological feature is the ability to reproduce not only within the family, but also with other families. This process is called swarming.

Working bees are only females who, due to underdeveloped genitals, cannot mate and lay eggs. It is these females who perform all the work in the hive: they collect nectar and pollen, produce honey, build honeycombs, feed the larvae and the uterus, and also guard the hive and monitor the optimal temperature regime in it.Under natural conditions, working individuals independently replace the old uterus with a young one.

The lifespan of worker bees depends on the time of their hatching: summer bees live no more than 45 days, and autumn ones – up to 10 months. In addition, they are divided into two groups. Non-flying (young) are almost constantly in the hive, and fly out of it only in good weather. The flyers are responsible for collecting pollen and nectar.

Figure 1. Visual differences between insects and classification of worker bees

Drones are males whose sole function is to fertilize the uterus.That is why they have well-developed genitals, and there are no organs for collecting pollen and excreting wax. Each family has several hundred or even thousands of drones, although the queen mates with only a few (usually 6-10 individuals).

Interestingly, all insects go through the same stages of development, but they differ in duration depending on the type of insect:

• In the first stage, the “egg”, all insects develop the same way: three days;
• The second stage, the “larva before sealing,” for the queen lasts 5 days, for worker bees – 6, and for drones – 7 days;
• The last stage of development, “larva and pupa in a sealed cell”, lasts 8 days in the uterus, 12 in working species and 14 in drones.

Accordingly, the developmental cycle of an adult insect is: 16 days for the uterus, 21 days for workers and 24 days for drones.

These are quite hardy insects. They can carry a load through the air, the mass of which corresponds to half the weight of the individual itself, and are capable of speeds up to 60 km / h. In addition, they have developed eyesight. They have five eyes (two on the sides and three on the crown), which distinguish objects by shape and color.

Insects have a well-developed sense of smell, which allows not only to distinguish flowers, but also to find the location of the hive.If the bees sense danger, they can sting. Single bites are not dangerous, and multiple bites can cause severe allergies. That is why, when working, beekeepers use special protective clothing.

There are four main types of these insects: giant, dwarf, Indian and honey. In household plots, only the latter type is bred, since it is he who produces honey.

When selecting bees for breeding, several factors should be taken into account:

• Climate: most insects are adapted only to certain temperature living conditions.For example, Central Russians tolerate cold weather very well, and Italian ones – hot climate;
• Productivity: the ability of the uterus to lay the maximum number of eggs directly affects the safety of the family;
• Nectar Harvesting and Honey Production: Anatomically, some insects have longer proboscis, allowing them to collect nectar from more plants.

Figure 2. The most productive species: 1a and 1b – Italian, 2a and 2b – Ukrainian steppe

The tendency of insects to swarm should also be taken into account, since during this period their honey production decreases.Italian and Ukrainian steppe are considered optimal for breeding (Figure 2). Such species are highly productive and calm in nature, but require additional care in the winter and protection from diseases.

In addition, there are many breeds, each with its own distinctive characteristics.

Features

Insects are not artificially bred, and only those types are grown for breeding that are characteristic of a given climatic zone and have already managed to adapt to living conditions.

Figure 3. Representatives of breeds: 1 – Central Russian, 2 – gray mountain Caucasian, 3 – yellow Caucasian, 4 – Ukrainian steppe (uterus)

For our country, the following species are considered the best (Figure 3):

• Central Russian: rather large insects of dark gray color. The uterus is highly productive, and the melliferous capacity is average. During the season, no more than 30 kg of honey can be collected from one family. Representatives of the species are conservative in nature, and it is difficult to switch to new melliferous areas.In addition, they are quite aggressive, but they are highly resistant to cold and disease.
• Gray mountain Caucasian, lighter and lighter than Central Russian. In addition, the uterus is not distinguished by high fertility, and working individuals – by melliferousness. No more than 29 kg of honey can be collected from one family per season. However, these disadvantages are fully compensated by the advantages: they productively use poor sources of honey collection, easily switch to new areas, have a peaceful character, and thanks to their long proboscis they can collect nectar from a much larger number of plants than representatives of other species.In addition, they are poorly amenable to swarming (no more than 5% of individuals from a family), therefore, in the summer, the fertility of insects practically does not decrease. However, they are very sensitive to cold and putrefactive diseases. Nevertheless, it was she who became widespread not only in Russia, but also abroad.
• Yellow Caucasian in size corresponds to gray mountain, but slightly exceeds it in fertility. Insects are gray with bright yellow stripes. Quite peace-loving, they are distinguished by medium swiftness, they tolerate hot and dry climates well, but they can attack other families and are susceptible to diseases.At the moment, the yellow Caucasian is gradually being absorbed by the gray mountain.
• The Ukrainian steppe was transformed from the Central Russian, adapting to the southern living conditions. Representatives are smaller in size than the Central Russian ones, but they also have a much longer proboscis, which has a positive effect on productivity. In addition, Ukrainian steppe species are distinguished by high honey content (up to 40 kg per family per season), resistance to temperature extremes and diseases.
• The Carpathian is in many ways similar to the Ukrainian steppe.The only difference between insects is that the Carpathian has a much longer proboscis. They are distinguished by medium swiftness and winter hardiness and an exceptionally peaceful nature (Figure 4).
• Representatives of the Italian breed correspond in size to the Central Russian ones, but significantly surpass them in fertility. A distinctive feature is the golden color with bright yellow stripes. They have a peaceful character, they use very well a variety of types of plants for collecting nectar, but they do not have sufficient resistance to cold and disease.
• Krajinskaya was imported from Austria. They are distinguished by a gray color with a silvery tint. Fertility is average, but insects are distinguished by rapid spring development. Various sources of honey collection are excellently used, but resistance to cold and disease is average.
• The Far Eastern ones were formed in the process of mutation of insect representatives of several species. Due to this, they are distinguished by their small size, gray color and low fertility. Despite the high tendency to swarm, insects are peaceful in nature, and can use the earliest plants for honey production.

Figure 4. Breeds: 1 – Carpathian, 2 – Krainskaya, 3 – Italian, 4 – Far Eastern

When choosing insects for breeding, be sure to take into account the climatic features of the region, since most species are very sensitive to cold and require additional care in winter. For more details on the world’s most popular Italian breed, see the video.

Rules

Finding a purebred bee, unfortunately, is quite difficult, since so-called hybrids are bred in most apiaries.But, if you have clearly set a goal for yourself to choose the best breed by photo and description, we recommend using some useful tips.

Among the basic rules for selection are:

• Assessment of appearance: each breed is formed under the influence of certain climatic conditions, therefore, insects of different species are radically different from each other in appearance and size.
• The climatic conditions in which the apiary will be located also play an important and sometimes decisive role.For example, in warm climates, Italian can be bred, but they are not suitable for temperate and cold climates, since they do not differ in winter hardiness.
• The peaceful nature of insects is an important criterion for novice beekeepers. For example, representatives of the Caucasian will bring honey even if the beekeeper accidentally damages their nest, while the Central Russians have a rather aggressive character.

Differences in flight

If you compare a wasp, a bee, a bumblebee in flight, you can also find significant differences.

Wasps make sharp movements, easily hang in the air. In an instant, they can move from one place to another. During long-term observation, one can notice constant jerking movements, frequent changes in trajectory.

Bees fly more calmly, measuredly. They do not make sudden movements, they try to land as quickly as possible. They do not create an annoying buzz, it is more difficult to notice them by sound than wasps.

Shershen, Scherschen – Don’t be afraid of the hornets!

What is the difference between wasps and bees | GET.Protecting your home from pests

Some people confuse wasps and bees. But these insects have many differences: from diet and lifestyle to danger to humans.

Photo source: Pixabay.com

External differences

Hairy bee. She has a rounded striped abdomen, and the color is black-yellow, muted.

Wasp is more visible: the bright black and yellow color warns of danger. The abdomen is oblong and is attached to the chest by a thin stalk. There is no lint on the abdomen, so it appears smooth and makes the wasp look like a large ant.

Left wasp, right bee. Photo source: Pixabay.com

Nutrition

Bees pollinate plants because they feed on pollen and nectar.

Wasps are predators, therefore they eat insects, meat, take honey from bees. They also like nectar, but wasps do not disdain food waste: rotten fruits, carrion.

If you want to get rid of wasps, but are afraid of poisoning the bees, use meat bait. As a result, useful bees will remain unharmed, and dangerous wasps will die.

Lifestyle

Bees work for the good of the hive: they collect nectar, produce honey and build honeycombs. They also pollinate plants. Bees build hives in trees or in rock crevices. The bee colony protects the uterus.

And the wasps do not have the instinct to protect the uterus, it itself lays the larvae and builds a nest. Wasps make hives next to humans: in attics and balconies.

On the left is a hive of wasps, on the right – bees. Photo source: Pixabay.com

Behavior

A bee stings only in case of a threat to life, for example, if you approach a hive.The bee’s goal is to protect the queen. Therefore, after the stung bee, the whole swarm will fly. After being bitten, the bee dies, but the sting remains in the skin.

Wasp can attack alone. She is aggressive, so if she thinks that she is provoked, she will sting. When meeting her, do not move or wave your hands. She knows how to pull the sting out of the skin, so she bites repeatedly.

Bites

Both bees and wasps perceive perfume as a threat. Sweaty or wet people are often attacked. Wasp and bee stings are dangerous because they can cause anaphylactic shock.

Symptoms of wasp and bee stings are similar: a throbbing pain is felt at the site of the bite, swelling and redness occur.

Wasp bites are also more dangerous because the wasp fiddles with waste and can infect the bite site.

Whose bite hurts more?

This question was asked by entomologist Justin Schmidt. He provoked wasps and bees and recorded the sensations. He compared the bite of a wasp with the burning of the tip of the tongue with a cigarette, and a bee sting with a burn of the skin with an open fire.Therefore, Justin believed that the wasps bite more painfully.

In short

• The bee is furry and the wasp looks like an ant.
• Bees feed on pollen, and wasps do not disdain insects and meat.
• Bees make honey and wasps dig in waste.
• A bee stings once, a wasp stings many times.
• Wasps sting more painfully and can infect.

Read also:

How to get rid of wasps

Making baits from cockroaches, ants and wasps

83-year-old “tamer” of forest bees shared the secrets of his craft – Russian newspaper

Grandfather Alexander Yushkevich from the village of Sredniye Pechi Lelchitsy district in his 83 years could have a reputation as a well-to-do peasant and bathe in money.He is one of the most respected beekeepers in Polesie, “tamers” of forest bees. An honored representative of a craft virtually extinct in other regions of Belarus. But his wife before her death told him: “All the honey that you collect must be distributed to people.” So on our arrival, Ivanovich first of all asked the reporters of “SOYUZ” for the address and telephone number – to hand over a jar of forest “potion” as soon as possible. Only then, with fervor, he began to teach us the intricacies of the primordial tradition of beekeeping.

Timber gang

We’re in luck.After all, it is almost impossible to find Ivanitch at home. Grandfather spends almost all the time in the forest. However, not only him. For many indigenous Poleshuk, such a way of life was previously almost the only way to survive. Old man Yushkevich recalls his childhood:

– Collected blueberries, cranberries. Mushrooms. Take a bucket – you will gain twenty to thirty kilograms. The forest was melted along the rivers. For special orders. When to Kiev, and when elsewhere. And on Pripyat they picked him up. And how many beehives there were in our forests…

Quite a lot now. Not only in the Lelchitsy region, but also in the immediate vicinity.

Only a beehive in the vocabulary of a typical Polissya inhabitant is not at all a special box teeming with bees in a private apiary, which is not usual for many. It’s a fight. A hollowed-out deck nailed to a tree. Local flavor that gave the name to many geographic features. In particular, the Ubort River, in the forests along which there were especially many such bee decks. Alexander Ivanovich has 90:

– No one has more beehives than me.And in places that you have to take off your shoes. Both in the water and in the swamps. Not everyone can get through. And very few people are engaged in this work now. The old are already dead, and the young only love to eat.

This earlier beekeeping was considered primitive beekeeping. Indeed, how much intelligence was required to take away her gifts from nature? Nowadays harvesting of wild honey is a whole science. Making friends with a bee is not easy. This insect is too picky. Therefore, counting on the commonplace “would be a hive, and the bee will fly” is at least naive…

Pull-pull

A reporter from “SOYUZ” experienced firsthand how wild bees sting. Photo: Alexander Stadub / RG

– Grandfather, take a winch, a saw, an ax, nails, and let’s go to the forest, – suggests my escort, the head of the village club Galina Belotskaya. – It’s better to show than to tell.

Proposal accepted. Moreover, Yushkevich’s grandfather in the forest now has his own worries. I cut out a new hive, and there is no one to tighten it up the tree. Age does not allow to do the work yourself.In the hands, as he says, that agility has long been gone. The 34-year-old grandson Nikolai, one of those to whom Ivanovich passes on the secrets of mastery, volunteered to help. The main transport of the beekeeper is a horse with a cart. But in such a hot season, sending livestock into the forest teeming with mosquitoes and gadflies is like a mockery. It is better not to think about what a mad horse is capable of. Therefore, we make our way through the forest by car, then we stamp on foot.

– Do you think this is a big hive? – the grandfather nods at the deck, which is somewhat reminiscent of a sixty-liter barrel.- But I also have such that a person will lie down. Wide, voluminous. He took as many as fifty liters of honey last year! I make all the hives myself. It’s easier now. I took a chainsaw, and it’s done.

Alexander Ivanovich, with the help of specific terms and passes in the air with his hands, is trying to explain the production technology to me almost on his fingers.

– There is no difference which tree to use. You can have pine needles, you can have a linden tree, you can have an oak tree. Only not everyone will fit. The tree should stand for a hundred years, or even two hundred.This, for example, will do. The trunk is strong, and the inside is dust. If you find good needles, you will get four and five hives from it. Agreed with the leshoz. I knocked it out. He pulled me home with a tractor. I put the chainsaw on the mow. Cut through. Hollowed out the middle …

It took half an hour for the experienced beekeepers to get the hive at a height of ten meters. Before we could look back, the winch was secured to a nearby tree. Nikolay climbed onto a branch in a matter of seconds. The whole world was pulling the fight. They fixed, adjusted so that the log was strictly between other trees – nothing should prevent the flight of the bee for a better result.

“This is still a small height,” the grandfather and grandson wave their hand. “Some hives cannot be reached without a ladder. And the beehive itself can’t be put anywhere. You need to know the places. Let’s say where there is an anthill – the bee will not sit down. There, first you need to coat everything with grease. Or special fuel oil. You look, next year the bee, or as it is called here, the Queen, will arrive.

In general, knowledge about where to place the boards is passed down from generation to generation. As with an experienced beekeeper, they consult with grandfather Yushkevich.No wonder he lived in the Lelchitsy region all his life and knows where the hives of his grandfathers and great-grandfathers were …

– Do you want to teach a bee to lure? Buy three bananas, a kilogram of sugar, add beeswax, and boil it all. Let this broth stand for three years. Throw fifty grams into the “eye” – and the bee will sit down. Just first wash the hive with water from the spiders, put the wild rosemary in, break off a branch of dust – a wolfberry and wave it. Put the moss down. Only a little. The bee will be hot, and then it will leak.This year I have seven or eight swarms of the village. A good swarm weighs more than thirty kilograms! – the beekeeper Yushkevich teaches me.

Honey Life

“Grandpa, don’t you have a single jar left? At least give it a try.” Ivanitch makes a helpless gesture: stocks have run out. We must wait for autumn. Almost the first frost. It is then that the beekeeper will appreciate the results of his work.

– It happens that in the fall the hive is so full that honey just crawls out. From fifteen kilograms comes out! And sometimes it will disappear.Who cares how long you worked? Nature does not understand this … Poachers will clean it up. But above this peg I have no right to touch honey. I have to leave her nine to ten kilograms. Otherwise, the bee will not survive. She is a delicate fly. A marten can climb, although we set traps on it, black is yellow … Do you know what her tongue is? She can destroy both bees and honey …

– To take honey, you put on a special mask, take a “smoke”, an ax, open the hive and let smoke in there.The bees go “to the head” and do not touch. Although, it happens that fifteen bees will be bitten at a time. But my body does not swell. It is covered only with white spots. And I have no idea. It doesn’t hurt me.

In order not to infuriate the swarm, says beekeeper Yushkevich, you need to follow simple rules:

– You cannot approach a bee with dirty hands. This is the law. We didn’t come up with it. And the old one also taught me – my father-in-law – if you go to look at bees in autumn, you shouldn’t live with your wife for a month before that, so that you are clean. Do not use cologne.And God forbid you get drunk – she will give you as much …

Soyuz correspondents got it on the bee sting. Not without it. But even a small jar of delicious honey – from the exhibition, from the district executive committee – was nevertheless rewarded for suffering. This nectar clearly cannot be compared with homemade nectar.

direct speech

Sergey Gavrilovets, Head of the Department of Ideological Work, Culture and Youth Affairs of the Lelchitsy District Executive Committee:

– In the List of Intangible Historical and Cultural Heritage of Belarus, the region is represented by the local song style of performing ritual and non-ritual works by the authentic folklore group “Polesskie Mepevy” from the village of Novoye Polesie, as well as by the tradition of worshiping stone crosses in the villages of Danilevichi and Borovoe.We plan to prepare and submit documents for inclusion in this list and beekeeping. As our unique historical craft. A value that is important not to lose and thanks to which tourists can already be attracted to the area. With regard to the production of wild honey on an industrial scale, this is unlikely in the coming years. Too time-consuming process, which also requires special knowledge and skills. 90 016 90 000 Mosquito and bed bites – 2021

Mosquito against bed bugs

Mosquitoes and bed bugs are common insects that are not only annoying but can also bite and cause infections and diseases.

Mosquitoes thrive in stagnant water like a puddle, swamp, or any stagnant water container. Male mosquitoes feed on nectar and plant juices, but female mosquitoes need the nutrients they get from their blood before they can produce eggs, although they also feed on nectar like male mosquitoes.

Bloody bugs are commonly found in beds or other places where people sleep. They are not strictly nocturnal, but are very active at night when they feed on their hosts.They feed exclusively on all warm-blooded animals, including humans.

Both insects are hazardous to health, and methods have been tried and proven ineffective, completely eradicating them. The bloody bugs were successfully eradicated in developed countries in the 1940s, but due to foreign travel and the use of second-hand furniture, he returned a few years later.

Although mosquitoes from the ecosystem will not have any negative impact on it, efforts to eradicate them have been unsuccessful.They continue to feed on people and infect people with diseases.

They detect their victims through carbon dioxide and organic matter, which they can detect even from a distance. They inject saliva into their hosts to first drill the blood before they suck it into their systems.

They usually rest in a cool place during the day and wait until dusk to feed until dawn. Their bites will appear in areas not covered by clothing, and itching and swelling immediately. Itching and swelling will disappear in a few days.

On the other hand, bed bug bites can be found on the stomach or back because they usually bite when you are lying down. The bites will take a while to show until you feel itchy and notice the swelling that gets worse every day.

Bed bug bites are often large and may look like scars or hives, but some are the same as mosquito bites. Some may have red dots in the center and feel very itchy. The swelling is also worse with bed bug bites than with mosquito bites.

Bed bug bites usually do not require treatment, but can lead to secondary infections that require an antiseptic lotion or antibiotic cream or corticosteroid ointment. Oral antihistamines can be taken if you have allergic reactions.

Mosquito bites are often treated with lotion and calamine vinegar. For severe cases, antihistamines and corticosteroids may be required.