As the temperatures start rising, there are three unwanted guests that you do not want to tangle with, namely bees, snakes & scorpions.
Prevention:
- If possible, avoid areas where they may be hiding, such as under rocks and logs, and if you have to be there watch where you place your feet or hands.
- Do not play with or provoke them as this is when most serious bites or stings occur – generally they will try to leave the area & only bite when surprised or provoked.
- When walking in an area known to have bees, snakes, scorpions, etc… you should wear long pants and boots if possible. Tap ahead of you with a walking stick, or walk heavily – the vibrations caused by this gives them a fair chance of knowing you are coming, which as we mentioned above they will try to avoid you.
- Wear gloves at minimum when moving items
- Flip items up first with a stick to make sure nothing nasty is waiting for you or use a rake instead of your hands when cleaning up mulch or leaves around the property – i.e. don’t put your hands into or where you can’t see first
Around the shop, housing, or on location:
- Look in glasses or containers BEFORE you drink from them.
- Remove any trash, logs, boards, stones, bricks and other objects / junk that would make a good hiding place.
- Keep the grass closely mowed.
- Store garbage cans in a frame that allows them to rest above ground level and gives you enough room to see under them.
- Just like mice, bees, snakes and scorpions can fit into the smallest of holes, so make sure you caulk any small cracks, holes, make sure torn screens are replaced / repaired, and your weather-stripping is in good condition.
- Snakes & scorpions follow their food source, so do not tempt mice, insects, or other unwanted food sources of theirs into or around your work or sleeping area. Keep it clean, don’t leave food out over night (this includes pet food).
In case you are bitten or stung:
For bee stings, wash the sting site with soap and water. Placing hydrocortisone cream on the sting can help relieve redness, itching, and swelling. If it’s been more than 10 years since your last tetanus booster, get a booster within the next few days.
For snakebites, the most important steps are to first get away from the snake, stay calm, keep it immobilized below the heart, and call 911. Using a cold compress is no longer valid for snake bites as the evidence shows it makes it worse.
As for scorpions, most people just experience a quick stinging & really do not have a clue what caused it & blame it on a bee that hurts like hell. In most cases, the normal items used for bee stings work well with scorpions like applying Benadryl cream, taking a Tylenol, and even applying a cold compress. Just like a snakebite, try to stay calm, do not try sucking on it, and keep still with the affected area below your heart. If you start experiencing dizziness, muscle spasms, it starts getting harder to drink or breathe, call 911.
For more information, visit OSHA’s website here.
Questions:
- When you go to move an item, what should you be wearing?
- What is the most important thing to do in case of a snakebite?