Anyone can become allergic to bee sting, wasp stings, or other insect bites. Wasp and bee stings can occasionally cause serious life-threatening allergic reactions, so it is important to know the symptoms to look out for and what to do.
What you can do to try and prevent allergic reactions:
• Bees and wasps can be attracted to, or may react to, odours in the environment. It is best not to use perfume, cologne, or scented soaps if you are going into an area of bee and/or wasp activity
• Avoid going barefoot in vegetation, especially clover and blooming ground covers
• Avoid wearing brightly coloured or patterned clothing
• If you remain calm when a bee or wasp lands on your skin to inspect a smell or to get water if you are sweating heavily, the insect eventually will leave of its own accord. If you do not want to wait for it to leave, gently and slowly brush it away with a piece of paper
• Stinging incidents often occur when nesting areas of social insects are disturbed. Be observant of the area around you. If you see insects flying to and from a particular place, avoid it. If you are going to be in an area where disturbing a nest is likely, wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt
• It might be a good idea to carry a military surplus, collapsible mosquito/gnat veil with you
• Stinging insects often fly around the top of their targets. Because stings in the face can be disorienting, put on the veil, or pull a portion of your shirt over your head, and run away. Be sure that you can see where you are going. Insect repellent applied to your skin or clothing will not deter these stinging insects