[Pollinator] mason bees and allergies

[Logan Minter]

I would as a rule, proceed with caution on this subject.  Allergies can vary between people and the species of insect.  Just because one person reacts to a one species and not another, does not mean that another will react in a similar manner.  For example, I know some people react very badly to almost any hymenoptera sting, while other can have very specific reactions.  (i.e. I suddenly developed an allergy to honey bees about two years ago, but have since been stung by halictids, squash bees, paper wasps, and velvet ants with no adverse effects...yet!)I would think that in this case, you might market your plan as using "non-aggressive" bees, but mention that it would be prudent to exercise caution around any wild animal (even if they are small as insects ;)
Good luck with the project!
-Logan

Logan Minter, Graduate Research/ Teaching AssistantUniversity of Kentucky, Department of EntomologyPollination Ecology/ Extension EntomologyS-225 Ag Science Ctr. North, Lexington, KY 40546-0091Office: S-207B  Cell#: (740) 970-2053log_mint at yahoo.comHomepage

--- On Sat, 3/3/12, Kyle Robbins <kyle.robbins2 at pcc.edu> wrote:

From: Kyle Robbins <kyle.robbins2 at pcc.edu>
Subject: [Pollinator] mason bees and allergies
To: pollinator at lists.sonic.net
Date: Saturday, March 3, 2012, 5:13 PM

As part of my Pollinator Initiative at Portland Community College, I am proposing mason bees be kept in the learning garden.  I tout mason bee shelters as safe, even child-friendly, but the question continuously rises about those with allergies.  In the unlikely event of a mason bee stinging someone with an allergy, could a severe reaction be expected?


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