Jerry Bromenschenk remarked about the apparent lack of susceptibility of
   skunks to stings (from an allergy perspective).
 
   If skunks really get as many stings as is supposed, there must indeed be
   some great difference in susceptibility. Justin Schmidt's article in
   Hive and Honey Bee indicates a median lethal dose (from a direct toxic
   effect, rather than an allergic reaction) for humans, as 19 stings per
   kilogram body weight. The lethal dose for a skunk at that rate, would be
   only 50 stings or so (2 kg skunk?).
 
   I've not had any direct experience with skunks and bees. Beekeepers have
   told me they had some success putting cayenne pepper in the depression
   skunks are said to make, in front of the hive (presumably to let them
   settle down and protect their underparts from stings?). Others have used
   2 inch mesh wire to build a barrier to keep the skunks from reaching the
   entrance. Strychnine in eggs was used in the past to kill skunks in
   apiaries, but is no longer available.
 
   Are bee stings as painful to skunks as they are to humans? I've heard
   from people who have observed bears in apparent considerable pain as
   they consumed combs from a hive they knocked over, even some bears who
   were driven away from hives by bees..could skunks be that different?
 
   The "beekeeper's family" hypersensitivity has been observed and studied
   several times. There was some research done in Alberta, on 10 year's or
   more ago (Dr. Day). I gathered that the problem was thought to arise
   from exposure to airborne bee allergens (including dried venom)
   (inducing IgE antibodies) rather than sting exposure (which induce IgG
   antibodies). It seemed adviseable for beekeepers to avoid exposing their
   family (for example by keeping bee gloves or suits with other family
   clothing) to such allerg, and that a few stings per year could be seen
   as a benefit, in avoiding more severe reactions.  Schmidt's
   interpretation seems different, and he gives the best "predictive index"
   for low (beekeeper type) reaction to stings, as a yearly exposure to 50
   or more stings. That's a lot for a non-beekeeper.
 
   One human reaction I haven't seen a good explanation for, is the
   apparently instant shift from tolerant (as from many years of
   beekeeping) to susceptible, and back again. I've heard of this happening
   spontaneously, and a couple of years ago, being induced by recent use of
   the ibuprophin-type pain medication. Schmidt refers to something similar
   happening in some patients who had no serious sting reactions, until
   after surgery or other medical stress. I don't see how the conventional
   IgE:IgG concept could explain such reactions.
 
 
   To shift the topic a bit: some recent work involving indoor bee
   wintering buildings (involves handling of dead bees in spring) which
   would be equally applicable to beekeeper handling of frames of hives
   where the colony has died overwnter, indicates some very high levels of
   fungal spores, including some species which could be a serious concern
   for people exposed to them at these concentrations. I don't know of any
   documented human cases, but if someone has a respiratory susceptibility,
   be aware of the possible risk.
 
   Kerry Clark, Apiculture Specialist
   B.C. Ministry of Agriculture
   1201 103 Ave
   Dawson Creek B.C.
        V1G 4J2  CANADA          Tel (604) 784-2225     fax (604) 784-2299
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