Introduction

Bees, wasps, and ants are insects that use a sharp part of their body, called a stinger, to pierce the skin and inject a small amount of venom to defend themselves from animals and humans that can hurt them. 

It is important that your child learns about the types of insects that can sting, how to stay away from them and what to do if they get stung.

Bees:

• can fly and are often found in gardens and near flowers
• sting once and may leave their stinger in the skin before they die
• honeybees are most likely to cause allergic reactions.

Wasps:

• can look similar to bees
• build nests in wooden areas.
• are aggressive and can sting multiple times without dying
• paper wasps are most likely to cause allergic reactions.

Ants:

• come in colours like black, red, brown and green 
• walk in groups and can also sting in groups
• can bite the skin to it in place while stinging multiple times
• Australian jack jumper ants and green ants can cause allergic reactions.

It is usually simple to identify the insect that has stung your child.

• a bee may leave its stinger behind in the skin.
• a wasp typically continues stinging.
• an ant may bite onto the skin before stinging and may still be attached.

These symptoms of a sting can develop slowly and last for days. They can be very painful and cause: 

• itching
• redness
• swelling 
• a hot feeling around the sting 

Some children can have a severe allergic reaction to stings called anaphylaxis.

Signs of anaphylaxis include: 

• wheezing, difficult, or noisy breathing 
• swelling of the tongue
• swelling or tightness in the throat
• a persistent cough
• difficulty talking or a hoarse voice
• dizziness
• becoming pale and floppy in young children 
• collapsing.

Children at risk of anaphylaxis to insects may also vomit or develop tummy pain.

If your child has signs of anaphylaxis, you should:

• follow your child’s ASCIA action plan for anaphylaxis if you have one
• use an EpiPen® or Anapen®, if there is one available
• call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.

All children with anaphylaxis to insect stings should see a specialist doctor, such as an immunologist or allergist, for testing and treatment.

Insect stings that do not cause anaphylaxis can be treated by:

1. carefully remove the stinger or ant using something firm like a bank card
2. washing the area with soap under cool running water
3. applying an antiseptic if available and covering with a bandage
4. putting an Icepack on the sting to reduce swelling
5. giving your child over-the-counter pain relief like paracetamol or ibuprofen to manage pain
6. giving your child oral antihistamines to manage itching, redness and swelling.

If you have any concerns or if your child has had multiple stings, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.