Students have been buzzing about problems with bees.

Those who run from them, however, can rest assured bee-season will come to an end when the first frost sweeps through DeKalb.

The Grounds Department has been keeping a watchful eye on the flying pests throughout the semester.

“Typically, we find [bee nests] during routine maintenance or if students give us a call, we can check them out,” said Darryl Grayson, interim superintendent of grounds.

One such report was of a nest in the flower beds between Grant and Stevenson Towers. Upon receiving the report, Grounds checked into it and were unable to find the nest.

What may have been seen was ground wasps, or someone may have thrown a can of pop into the beds and the bees were attracted to it, Grayson said.

Usually, problems are taken care of right away. Nests are knocked down or are taken care of with spray carried in the maintenance vehicles.

Even if bee problems were left untreated, however, it would not be overly dangerous.

“Generally, you get stung when you inadvertently step on a bee or wasp or disturb their hive or nest,” said Bethia King, an associate professor in the department of biological sciences.

According to www.drgreene.com, bees are not typically aggressive creatures. In fact, honey bees die when they lose their stinger, which becomes imbedded in a person’s skin after being stung.

Only female bees can sting because their stinger is a modified egg laying organ and it is only in defense they sting, King said.

Mild stings can be treated at home. The stinger should be removed completely as soon as possible. If a little black dot is visible on the wound, part of the stinger is still there, according to www.drgreene.com.

To lessen pain and itching, antiperspirant can be rubbed on the wound. In addition, over-the-counter antihistamines, such as Benadryl, can be taken to alleviate pain and swelling and also to keep the swelling from spreading.

If stung more than once, or if a person has allergies to bees, however, medical help should be sought after immediately, as this can be a potentially deadly situation.