So, as many of you know, I walk barefoot a lot in my own yard (the "Barefoot Autist"). The other day, I was not mindful in the clover, and I got stung. I felt so bad (I'm usually very careful about not stepping on bees). I went into the house, and couldn't remember if I was supposed to put apple cider vinegar on the sting, or baking soda. I started with the vinegar... NOPE! Wrong one! I then quickly made a baking soda paste, but the damage was already done, and I had a painful welt for a few days... Anyhow, in the spirit of walking barefoot, or just being out in nature, here are the two remedies! Cider for wasps, BS for bees!

"A paste made of baking soda and water can help with a variety of insect bites and stings. It’s believed baking soda can neutralize bee venom, reducing itching and swelling.

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives the following recipe for baking soda paste to calm mosquito bites. Many people also use it for bee stings:

- Mix 1 teaspoon water with enough baking soda to make a thick paste.
- Rub the paste over the affected area.
- Leave on for 10 minutes.
- Rinse off."

https://www.healthline.com/health/outdoor-health/home-remedies-for-bee-stings

Why May A Wasp Sting Be Treated With Vinegar?

Last updated: June 27, 2025

"Vinegar is a common pantry staple that can help alleviate the pain of a wasp sting by neutralizing the venom by reducing its acidity. The acetic acid in vinegar has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce swelling and pain. To treat wasp stings, wash the affected area with warm soap and water to remove any bacteria or venom the wasp might have carried. Applying vinegar on a cotton pad for approximately 40 minutes completely relieved the pain of the sting.

"Bees have acidic toxins in their stings, so an alkaline solution [baking soda] should be applied to neutralize them. Vinegar is a home remedy used to treat wasp stings, as they are mildly basic and have more of an alkalinity. The acidity of vinegar helps neutralize the alkalinity of the sting.

"However, vinegar is not the best choice for treating bee stings, as it can burn your skin. A first aid manual suggests using vinegar for wasp stings and baking soda for bee stings. Wasp stings are less acidic than bee stings and have more of an alkalinity, making vinegar a mild and readily available acid that can help reduce pain."

https://irescuebees.com/why-may-a-wasp-sting-be-treated-with-vinegar.html

#SolarPunkSunday #SpendTimeInNature #BeeStings #WaspStings #NaturalRemedies

I decided that the cardonna sage and cat mint were finished with first blooms, and I know they'll bloom again if cut back. So, I'm merrily cutting, not paying much attention to the buzzing around me - there are lots of other flowers and bees. Suddenly, a bee comes straight towards me, and barrel rolls to avoid my hand gently trying to encourage it to go elsewhere. Well, this bee came back, avoided my hand again, and scored a direct hit and sting right between the eyes. I backed up, and now have my hat ready to defend myself, but I'm outmanuevered again, this time a sting right on the tip of my nose. Ok, Run!....

BEE: 2
me: 0

#perennials #bees #beestings #gardening