A man, believed to be in his 40s, was seriously injured when he was stung numerous times by a swarm of bees in a garden.
“He was treated for his injuries and provided with pain relief medication before being transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment,” said Russel Meiring, ER24 spokesperson.
What causes bees to attack and what should one do when being attacked?
A bee sting can be very painful, and for some people, even deadly. Honeybees vigorously defend their hives from perceived threats, and if the bees sense you as a threat, they might attack you.
The sting from a honeybee releases pheromones that might incite other bees to also attack.
There are a few things one should know, in the event of running into a swarm of angry bees.
When using hedge clippers, weed eaters, lawn mowers or chain saws, keep children and pets indoors, as these activities can trigger an attack.
Run as fast as possible in a straight line away from the bees and try to get indoors as quickly as possible. If a vehicle is closer, get inside and close all windows and doors.
Bees tend to target the head and eyes, so cover your head as much as you can, without slowing down.
Do not jump into a pool or other body of water as the bees will wait for you to surface, and then sting you. You cannot hold your breath long enough to wait them out.
When someone else is being stung and is unable to run away, cover the victim with anything you can find and get help as fast as you can.
Once you are in a safe place, use a blunt object to scrape the stingers from your skin. If only one or two bees have stung you, treat the stings and monitor yourself for any unusual reactions. If you have suffered multiple stings, you should seek medical assistance immediately.
If there is a beehive on your premises and you fear that the bees might become aggressive, do not kill them. Rather contact a beekeeper to come and remove them, without harming them.
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