Bee and wasp stings
Most of us have had a wasp or bee sting at some time in our life.
A bee will only sting if it, or the hive is threatened. Unfortunately there is little you can do to treat a bee sting other than ensuring the stinger is removed and a ice pack applied. Putting on lotions, or other remedies will only provide topical relief as you cannot neutralize the poison that is already inside.
As you can see by the photo comparing a bee stinger with a needle the stinger is very sharp and very tiny. The stinger is barbed and will work its way into the skin injecting the venom at the same time, however that is the end of the bee as the stinger cannot be extracted and the bee will rip its stinger out of its abdomen.
The wasp stinger is not barbed and it can sting multiple times. The second photo is of a wasp stinger and the third is what the poor bee leaves behind.
It’s Riddle Time – You Might Need an Extra Cup of Coffee!
Nobody has ever walked this way. Which way is it?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
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Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.7% Yes
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13.9% No
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1.4% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.