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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