3 ms·
BTW, when I get stung, if the stinger doesn't get stuck I sometimes don't even notice till much later -- this happens when I get stung through my gloves. If th
by cryptonector 2y ago
BTW, when I get stung, if the stinger doesn't get stuck I sometimes don't even notice till much later -- this happens when I get stung through my gloves. If the stinger does get stuck in my skin the first thing I notice is the buzzing of the bee that stung me. The frequency of the buzzing of the bee that stung me and that is trying to rip off the stinger is absolutely terrifying because I know what comes next: a dozen more bees will flock right to where the one bee stung me and will all try to sting me, and since the one bee was able to it might be the case that her sisters will succeed as well. That buzzing spreads her injury pheromones, and the frequency of its sound also acts as a very loud and clear signal to her sisters. The buzzing lasts about 1 second or less; the pain from the sting comes a second or two later. It takes her sisters about 1 to 2 seconds to find the bee that stings successfully. Getting stung by a dozen bees at once is panic inducing, and the swelling that will create will take two weeks to subside. I was stung 13 times at once one time, and 5 times another time. It's no fun.
- jimmaswell 2y agoWhy are bee stings such a common occurance to you? Are you a beekeeper?
- cryptonector 2y agoI am.
- majgr 2y agoWhat I noticed is that pitch of buzzing is higher when bee is attacking, not after sting. Higher pitch means probably higher frequency of wings, so bee has more velocity and it is more nimble. When I was kid visiting frequently a place with 100 hives in a summer. I started to recognize that pitch of attacking bee and learned to keep head lower, between arms. Sometimes I was chased by a bee several tens of meters. It is good to use cover of some trees or bushes. I believe bees are aroused by smell of venom itself. Sometimes, when hive is opened, bees turn their abdomen higher, towards opening showing stings. I think I saw that drops of venom forms around end of sting. Smoke particles, probably bonds to venom vapors, neutralizing its influence on other bees, because after couple smoke puffs venom smell is not noticeable any more. Also, smoke causes bees to change their process, from „intruder alert”, to „tree is burning”, and are turning on ventilation. Each summer, first sting swelled the worst, but consecutive ones were less so, so I think some tolerance develops, but it won’t last a year. The worst is being stung in fingertip, because it causes nail deformation, for some time.
- cryptonector 2y agoOh for sure, they do buzz differently when they are in protec/attac mode.
- cryptonector 2y agoIt's not just ventilation. When they smell smoke they also go eat a bunch of honey so they can swarm away with the queen and start over elsewhere.