Bees usually sting as a last resort to defend their hive, but sometimes they do it purely by accident.

When that happens, there’s actually a way for you to help the bee survive while also saving yourself from a swollen hand.

Stay Calm

When a bee stings you, the stinger stays attached to its body, along with a venom sac.

If you remain calm and avoid panicking, you might be able to save her life.

Bees only lose their stinger if it gets lodged in your skin and pulls away from their body.

How to Remove the Stinger Without Harming the Bee

If you’ve just been stung, take a moment to carefully remove the stinger.

Use something sharp, like the edge of a credit card or a fingernail, and scrape it out from the bottom edge of the needle before the bee tries to fly away.

The goal is to remove it without crushing the venom sac, which will help minimize the pain and also potentially save the bee.

Why It’s Worth Trying

Bees play an essential role in our ecosystem, pollinating plants and supporting biodiversity.

By helping a bee survive an accidental sting, you’re giving her a chance to keep supporting her colony and contribute to the environment.

Plus, you’ll avoid a lot of the venom that would otherwise be pumped into the sting site, which might make your experience a little less painful too!