BY DANIEL S. HOLT | March 11, 2026

Snakes, bees and ticks: how to treat bites and stings

With contributions by 

Joe Stellwagon, AMR Paramedic

 

Snake Bites

It’s spring, which means snakes and insects are coming out of hibernation. In this article, we will go over some of the dos and don’ts and myths over bites and stings.

In Eastern Kansas, venomous snakes include: timber rattlesnake, the Osage (broad-band) copperhead, northern cottonmouth (water moccasin), and the western massasauga rattlesnake. 

You can identify a venomous snake by noting several characteristics. These include a broad, triangular-shaped head, vertical cat-like pupils, and thick, heavy bodies. But you shouldn’t rely just on their looks, especially if you’re unsure of what kind of snake it is. When in doubt, keep your distance, and don’t try to catch or kill the snake. 

Snakebite myths

Causing the wound to bleed out will release the venom.

Drinking alcohol will reduce the pain of the snakebite.

Use a tourniquet to prevent the spread of the venom.

Siphon the venom out (cutting into the bite and sucking out the venom).

Apply ice to numb the venom.

What TO DO for snakebites:

Make sure you’re safely away from the snake. The snake may stay aggressive after the attack. 

Don’t try to attack the snake after being bitten.

If you have to move the snake, use a long rake or shovel to relocate it. 

Call 911 and inform them of the bite and its location on your body, as well as your physical location. They will take you to a hospital where you will receive antivenom.

Try your best to stay calm. Keeping a regular, normal heartrate helps keeps the venom from spreading as fast.

Keep still. Remove any tight clothing or jewelry. 

Wash the injured part as best as you can, preferably with soap and water. This can help prevent infections.

Bee Stings

Bee stings aren’t necessarily dangerous, unless you’re allergic to them. Even if you’re not allergic to bees, their sting still hurts. Same with wasps and hornets. All of these insects can be found in Eastern Kansas. 

What does an allergic reaction to a sting look like? Common symptoms are: difficulty breathing or swallowing, major swelling, hives, dizziness, tightness in the chest, nausea, diarrhea and a fast pulse. In severe cases, someone who is allergic to a sting can go into anaphylactic shock, and in some cases, die. 

The most common ways to get stung are: stepping on the insect, swatting at it, or disturbing its nest/hive. 

If you are playing or working outside near a hive or nest, your risk of getting stung gets higher.

Wearing perfume and wearing bright colors also increase your risks. 

And harvesting honey from a beehive greatly increases your risk of being stung. Same with trying to destroy a hive or nest.

If you or a friend is allergic, or begin to experience allergic reactions, call 911 immediately. If you have an epi-pen, use it, but still call 911. 

If you’re not experiencing an allergic reaction, do the following for the sting: 

Remove the stinger with your fingernail or credit card, carefully scraping to pull it out. Remove the stinger quickly to reduce the amount of venom that enters your bloodstream.

Clean the wound with soap and water.

Place an ice pack (wrapped in a towel) over the bite to reduce swelling.

Elevate the affected area to also reduce swelling.

Monitor the sting. If you begin to experience an allergic reaction, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Take ibuprofen or use calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to reduce itchiness and irritation. 

Tick Bites

In Eastern Kansas, there are several kinds of ticks and they carry different types of diseases: Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia, Heartland and Bourbon Viruses, Alpha-gal Syndrome and Lyme Disease. 

Symptoms of any of the above include, but are not limited to: fever, chills, muscle pain, headaches, fatigue, itchiness, nausea and vomiting, swollen lymph nodes, allergic reactions to eating red meat and rashes. 

Tick bites are often found on your scalp or neck, in your groin area, behind your knees, in or around your ears, in your armpits, around your waistline, and your belly button. 

If you have a tick bite, clean the bite area with soap and water. If the tick is still attached, you should use rounded-ended tweezers to carefully pinch the tick near its head, as close to your skin as possible. Do not crush the tick. Take notes or a photo of the tick, and or save the tick in an airtight container to show a medical provider if any of the above symptoms happen. If your doctor is worried about a tick-borne disease, they may take a sample of your blood to eliminate or confirm a diagnosis. 

Tick bite prevention 

Avoid tall grass and wooded areas. In the woods, stay on trails or paths whenever possible.

Use bug repellant.

Keep your skin covered. 

Check yourself for ticks, and/or have someone help you check your back and your scalp. 

Check your pets for ticks as well.

So, as you go outside more often this spring, keep aware of your surroundings, and remember the proper precautions to avoid bites and stings. 

Information on first aid protocols are from the First Aid/CPR/AED Participants Manual, provided by the American Red Cross training services 2021.