Terrified of Bees

Hi T.-
I know how you feel. I myself am terrified of flying bugs. I was stung when I was young and it still haunts me. My 4 year old little girl has never been stung but for some reason thinks every bee out there is going to sting her, like they're laying in wait for her. What we've done is bought a little mister bottle and filled it with water. Only she doesn't know it's just water, we've told her it BBGone. Now whenever we go outside in the yard or plan a trip outdoors she tucks that BBGone in her arm and she's ready for the battle of the Bees, and flies, and gnats, and moths, and butterflys, and any other poor insect who has the misfortune to fly in her direction.

Hi,
I work for the Toledo Metroparks and I specialize in programs for 3 to 5 yr olds , one program I do is called Wee Workshop every month there is a different theme about nature.This is for ages 3 to 5 with a parent. We are inside for most of the program, we read a book, do a craft but then we go on nature walk. On the walks I've had kids that were afraid of insects. It helps a little when they see me interacting with nature and explaining why things, like bugs, are important and just that they see I am not afraid. Now in your case I don't think it's going to be that easy but if you can come to our program (not sure where your at) or any nature ed program that may help. Also any time he can see other kids having fun and not afraid of say butteflies that may help.Also it is extremely important that you do not show any fear of any flying insects. Often I see a parent show fear and then, right after the child is scared.

Since he's older I think the more he understands nature the more he'll understand that those things don't happen very often and how other insects wont hurt him.

Also he could try to focus on other flying things that have not hurt him like birds, right now its migration time and lots of cool birds are coming through. You could get a bird guide and go to where there are bird feeders and id them. You can check out our programs at www.metroparkstoledo.com Hope this helps!:)

maybe a screened in area (a tent with all screen sides that bugs can't get in) would be a good start. Then he could feel safe inside his space and still get fresh air.

edited:
I was at WalMart and I saw these bug away things. They are the size of a key chain. The device emits a low frequency noise that humans can't hear but insects don't like. They are in the camping section and were around $5. This would empower him to have something to hold that is inexpensive.

awww- i am so sorry to hear about your sons misadventure! i am thinking you may need to make some "bee gone" a variation of "monster spray." some sort of concoction that you make in a spay bottle w/ water and a drop of food coloring(may be a drop ofalcohol or vinegar to give it a realistic smell to it). squirt a couple of sprays on him to protect him! just an idea-it worked for my brother when he was little and had monsters in his room. best of luck-M.

oh, wow! The poor baby!

Yeah, his fear of insects is not entirely irrational. He knows the worst that can happen.

You could always try to get him to appreciate flying insects in a safe way-- like buy a "grow butterflies" box at the teacher store or take him to a nature museum to see a butterfly house or bees hive. Also, watching his little sister not afraid of the outside might be positive modeling. Let him watch you two playing outside from the window and see if that helps him understand that he can be safe outside.

Wow...that is horrible. I would be terrified too! I think he could REALLY benefit from a child counselor. One that works with you and him to help him get through this. That was no little thing that happened to him !!!!

Best Wishes.
M.

When I was little (4 or 5 i think),I fell asleep next to an open window. When I woke up I had a praying mantis on my tummy.
I was soo petrified I couldnt go back to sleep. My dad brought in the "bug be gone". It helped very much ^^
I know now that it was a spray bottle with red food coloring, water, little bit of dish soap to make it bubble when it was sprayed, and a couple drops of mouth wash to make it smell funny.

Try making some ^^ Hope it helps.

now...
Worst case senerio.. he could be like my best friend.
She was swarmed by an entire nest of hornets and ended up in the hospital.
Shes not alergic to bees or anything, it was just there were over 100 stings and she started having an asthma attack.
Nothing her mother did, not even sending her to doctor helped with her fear of bees. Shes still terrified today of anything flying. Ive had her try to jump out of a moving car when a fly came in coz she thought it was a bee.
She refuses to go outside, and if it werent for me taking her with me every time I had to go somewhere.. shed be agrophobic :(
I think the thing that made this whole situation worse was how her mom tried to handle it.
She would set jars of live bees in my friends room everyday. So that when she woke up, it was to the sound of angry buzzing bees. One of her cats knocked off a couple of the jars and the bees swarmed it and it died.
All that.. really made it worse.

I dont mean to scare you with that or anything.. Im just really suggesting you not do something like that.

Good luck with this problem ;}