Got Stung by my BTA

MasonK24 · Mar 3, 2021

Ive had it for almost 2 years. After handling them hundreds of times it finally got me.

TriggersAmuck · Mar 3, 2021

Ouch! Thanks for the warning! I have heard that well established, healthy BTAs can pack a stronger sting than ones struggling, and so one shouldn't assume that all stings are mild or undetectable.

MasonK24 · Mar 3, 2021

TriggersAmuck said:
Ouch! Thanks for the warning! I have heard that well established, healthy BTAs can pack a stronger sting than ones struggling, and so one shouldn't assume that all stings are mild or undetectable.

I knew they stung, but not to the extent that i got. I cant even count how many times ive handled mine, peeling them off a rock to move them. Nothing ever happened. The nem that got me is the mama. Its around the size of a dinner plate. It was fully inflated and all i did was brush it with my forearm and i instantly knew. It felt like pins and needles or multiple bee stings all at once. Im going to be more careful next time!

Udest · Mar 3, 2021

ouch gonna have to be careful when i get a nem , though i wonder how much worse some can be like sebaes or condy nems.

DanConnor · Mar 3, 2021

It might partly be because the inside of your arm skin is thinner and more sensitive

MasonK24 · Mar 3, 2021

DanConnor said:
It might partly be because the inside of your arm skin is thinner and more sensitive

very good point, im sure calloused hands do a good deal of protection from stings.

ridgeburyreefer · Mar 3, 2021

So here’s my question as a newbie whose now handled a nem.... I take it the slight almost electrical feeling I get touching them isn’t the actual sting?

MasonK24 · Mar 3, 2021

ridgeburyreefer said:
So here’s my question as a newbie whose now handled a nem.... I take it the slight almost electrical feeling I get touching them isn’t the actual sting?

thats a great way to describe what it felt like when it happened to me. Between that and bee stings. I guess thats what venom feels like. Electric