On the 9th of last month, firefighters from Daedeok Fire Station are removing a wasp nest at a farmhouse in Eupnae-dong, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon. Daejeon = News 1
Ahead of the Chuseok holiday, bee sting accidents have been occurring across the country, with many people injured. Experts have advised people who are weeding and visiting graves to be careful, saying that the number of bees and their activity period have increased due to the warmer weather than usual.
According to the fire department, at around 1:50 PM on the 7th, 14 trekking enthusiasts in their 50s to 80s were stung by bees while trekking on the riverside deck road in Ilwol-myeon, Yeongyang-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and were taken to the hospital. It was determined that there were no serious injuries. The previous day at around 4 PM, five teenage male students playing catch at a park in Pyeongnae-dong, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, were stung by bees on their fingers and heads and were taken to the hospital. The fire department discovered a bee nest built on a 6m-tall pine tree nearby and removed it.
In particular, as the number of visitors to graveyards for weeding and other purposes increases ahead of the Chuseok holiday, the number of deaths from bee stings is also increasing. At around 10 am on the 4th, a man in his 50s died after being stung by a bee while weeding on a mountain in Yecheon-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. On the 1st, at around 9 am, a man in his 50s who was weeding with his relatives on a mountain in Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do was stung on the back of the neck by a bee and was taken to a nearby hospital in a state of cardiac arrest, but eventually died.
According to the National Fire Agency, etc., the number of deaths from bee stings has reached 12 this year. It has already surpassed the annual number of deaths in the past four years (7 in 2020 and 11 each in 2021~2023). The number of dispatches due to reports of bee nest removal also increased sharply by 38,947 (20.1%) from the previous year to 232,933 last year. It has already been reported that reports of bee nest removal in Gangwon, Daegu, Ulsan, Jeju, etc. have already surpassed last year’s level.
Experts analyzed that the number of bee sting reports increased due to warmer weather and increased outdoor activities compared to previous years. Choi Moon-bo, a professor at Kyungpook National University’s Agricultural Science and Technology Research Institute, explained, “As winter and early spring have become warmer, the survival rate of queen bees has increased, which likely has increased the number of bees,” and “The lack of rain and increased outdoor activities may have also had an effect (on the increase in bee sting incidents).”
To prevent bee stings, wear light-colored clothing and protect your head with a light-colored hat. If you wear black or brown clothing, bees are more likely to recognize you as a natural enemy, such as a badger. If you are stung by a bee, run at full speed for more than 20 meters to avoid a follow-up attack. Fire officials advised, “Before entering the grass (for weeding, etc.), observe for 5 to 10 minutes to see if there are any bees, and if there are, remove the nest before working.”
Reporter Joo Hyun-woo woojoo@donga.com
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Table of Contents
Bee Sting Accidents on the Rise: Prevention and Treatment
Ahead of the Chuseok holiday, bee sting accidents have been occurring across the country, with many people injured. Experts have advised people who are weeding and visiting graves to be careful, saying that the number of bees and their activity period have increased due to the warmer weather than usual.
Increase in Bee Sting Incidents
According to the National Fire Agency, the number of deaths from bee stings has reached 12 this year, surpassing the annual number of deaths in the past four years. The number of dispatches due to reports of bee nest removal also increased sharply by 38,947 (20.1%) from the previous year to 232,933 last year.
Causes of Increase in Bee Sting Incidents
Experts analyzed that the number of bee sting reports increased due to warmer weather and increased outdoor activities compared to previous years. Choi Moon-bo, a professor at Kyungpook National University’s Agricultural Science and Technology Research Institute, explained, “As winter and early spring have become warmer, the survival rate of queen bees has increased, which likely has increased the number of bees,” and “The lack of rain and increased outdoor activities may have also had an effect (on the increase in bee sting incidents).”
Prevention of Bee Stings
To prevent bee stings, wear light-colored clothing and protect your head with a light-colored hat. If you wear black or brown clothing, bees are more likely to recognize you as a natural enemy, such as a badger. If you are stung by a bee, run at full speed for more than 20 meters to avoid a follow-up attack. Fire officials advised, “Before entering the grass (for weeding, etc.), observe for 5 to 10 minutes to see if there are any bees, and if there are, remove the nest before working.”
Treatment of Bee Stings
If you are stung by a bee, treat it the same way you would a wasp sting. Remove the stinger, clean the wound, and apply ice [[1](https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/bee-and-wasp
Chuseok and Seollal
Bee Sting Prevention and Safety: Expert Advice and Precautions Ahead of the Chuseok Holiday
As the Chuseok holiday approaches, bee sting accidents have been on the rise across the country, resulting in numerous injuries and even deaths. Experts have warned that the increased number of bees and their activity period, due to warmer weather, has contributed to the surge in bee sting incidents. In this article, we will provide expert advice and precautions to help prevent bee stings and ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday.
Causes of Bee Sting Incidents
The warmer weather has led to an increase in the survival rate of queen bees, resulting in a higher number of bees [[3]]. Additionally, the lack of rain and increased outdoor activities have also contributed to the rise in bee sting incidents [[3]].
Prevention Measures
To prevent bee stings, it is essential to take certain precautions. Experts recommend wearing light-colored clothing and protecting your head with a light-colored hat. Avoid wearing black or brown clothing, as bees are more likely to recognize you as a natural enemy, such as a badger [[3]].
When outdoors, take care when drinking sweet beverages and tightly cover food containers and trash cans to avoid attracting bees [[1]][[2]]. Clear away garbage, fallen fruit, and other debris that may attract bees [[1]].
Additional Precautions
When visiting graveyards or engaging in outdoor activities, be mindful of your surroundings and watch for bee nests. If you are stung by a bee, run at full speed for more than 20 meters to avoid a follow-up attack [[3]].
Expert Advice
Experts emphasize the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings and taking necessary precautions to prevent bee stings. According to Choi Moon-bo, a professor at Kyungpook National University’s Agricultural Science and Technology Research Institute, “As winter and early spring have become warmer, the survival rate of queen bees has increased, which likely has increased the number of bees” [[3]].
Statistical Data
According to the National Fire Agency, the number of deaths from bee stings has reached 12 this year, surpassing the annual number of deaths in the past four years (7 in 2020 and 11 each in 2021~2023) [[3]]. The number of dispatches due to reports of bee nest removal also increased sharply by 38,947 (20.1%) from the previous year to 232,933 last year [[3]].
Conclusion
As the Chuseok holiday approaches, it is crucial to take necessary precautions to prevent bee stings. By wearing light-colored clothing, avoiding sweet beverages and food containers, and being aware of one’s surroundings, individuals can minimize the risk of bee sting incidents. Additionally, experts recommend taking extra precautions when visiting graveyards or engaging in outdoor activities. By following these expert tips and precautions, individuals can ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday.
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