Sting Log
I decided to keep a running count of all the bee stings I get. Its not because stings have been all that bad (the itching later has bothered me more than the pain). I just figured if someone asks me if I get stung, I should know how many times. 
- Aug. 26th, 2006 – stung twice on the back of the right hand while visiting a friends apiary
- June 9th, 2007 – stung on the pad of my right middle finger while closing up hive #1 (trying to get bees out of the way so I wouldn’t crush them)
Grand Total:
3
August 1, 2007 at 6:36 pm |
I think your sting log is a great idea. And I totally agree—it’s less pain than shock, and then a murderous itching and swelling the next few days.
May 1, 2009 at 12:12 am |
This is a great idea. My husband and I and our roommate will be first time beekeepers this May. We will be keeping our own sting log as well. It will be a good way to judge temperaments of our Minn. Hygienics vs any swarms of native bees we take in too.
May 5, 2009 at 8:34 pm |
I’m sure most of you are aware of this, but when you are stung by a honeybee, the barbed “stinger ” with the attached venom sac basically tears out of the bee and remains stuck in your skin. Take a sharp edged tool (like a hive tool or pocket knife) and flick off the venom sac. If you try to grab it to remove it, you will squeeze more venom from the sac into the sting area, which results in more swelling and itching. The reaction should be little more than a mosquito bite if you act promptly. Great site!