Bee Sting 101 Have you ever been stung by a bee? The majority of the population has. But, do you know the proper steps to take once a pesky bee has decided to plant their stinger in your skin? First, you want to see if the stinger is still in place. You can do this by looking for a small black dot at the sting site. If the stinger is still there, do not pinch it! This could release more venom, making the sting site even more painful and irritated. Next, carefully remove the stinger by swiping a hard object over it like a credit card. You may be surprised to find out that the venom at the sting site releases slowly, usually about 2-3 minutes. So quick removal of the stinger could lessen the severity of the sting. Once the stinger is removed, clean the area with cold, soapy water and apply ice. If needed, hydrocortisone cream can also calm the reaction. If you have an allergic reaction, including rash, throat swelling and trouble breathing, seek medical help immediately. Have you ever been stung by a bee? Did you know how to properly remove the stinger? If you have a bee problem on or near your property, do not try to address this on your own. This is a job for a professional pest control company.