North Carolina Bee School Practice Exam

What should you do immediately if you are stung by a bee?

1. Apply ice to the sting

2. Remove the stinger and puff smoke to mask the alarm pheromone

3. Scream to alert others

4. Wait for the pain to subside

The correct answer is: Remove the stinger and puff smoke to mask the alarm pheromone

When you are stung by a bee, the immediate response involves removing the stinger as soon as possible. This is critical because the stinger continues to release venom into the skin for a brief period after being left in place. By promptly removing the stinger, you can minimize the amount of venom that enters your system, potentially reducing the severity of your reaction. Puffing smoke around the area may not be an immediate necessity for everyone but is generally advised in the context of beekeeping. Smoke is known to mask alarm pheromones that bees release upon being disturbed or threatened. This may help to calm any nearby bees and prevent them from becoming agitated, which can lead to further stings. While this can be a useful practice in a beekeeping setting, it's important to first focus on removing the stinger and tending to your own injury. Applying ice can help reduce swelling and numb the pain after the stinger is removed, but it is not the first action to take. Screaming is not an effective way to manage the situation and may inadvertently provoke further aggression from the bees. Waiting for the pain to subside does not address the immediate need to remove the stinger and can lead to unnecessary discomfort and potential complications.