Why Bees Don't Sting - Understanding Bee Behavior and Avoiding Stings

Why Bees Don't Sting

Many people assume that all bees can and will sting, but this is a common misconception. In reality, most bees are not aggressive by nature and will only sting as a last resort. Understanding bee behavior and the reasons bees sting can help reduce your chances of getting stung.

Types of Bees That Don't Sting

There are many bee species that do not have stingers at all. These include:

• Male honey bees
• Orchid bees
• Cuckoo bees
• Stingless bees

Male honey bees, also called drones, do not have stingers. Only female honey bees (workers and queens) have stingers. So while the honey bees you see collecting pollen may look like they could sting, half of them actually can't!

Orchid bees and cuckoo bees are two wild bee species that also lack stingers. Orchid bees get their name from their attraction to the scent of orchid flowers. Cuckoo bees are a large group of bees that lay their eggs in the nests of other bee species.

Stingless bees are a group of bee species native to tropic and subtropic areas worldwide. As their name suggests, stingless bees do not have stingers. Common stingless bee species include the Mayan stingless bee, found in Central America, and tiúba bees from Brazil.

When Honey Bees and Bumblebees Sting

While male bees and many wild bee species don't sting, female honey bees and bumblebees do have stingers. However, these bees will only sting as a defense mechanism.

Honey bees have barbed stingers that get stuck in skin when they sting. This actually rips away part of their lower abdomen, causing them to die shortly after stinging. As a result, honey bees will only sting as an absolute last resort.

Bumblebees have smooth stingers that don't get stuck in skin. However, stinging is still harmful to their health. Bumblebees have small amounts of venom and can only sting a few times in their lifetime. Much like honey bees, bumblebees will avoid stinging unless they feel extremely threatened.

Signs a Bee Stung You

If you're unsure whether a bee stung you or not, here are some signs to look for:

• Sharp, immediate pain at the sting site
• A visible stinger in the skin
• Swelling, redness, warmth at the sting area
• Itchiness around the sting
• A small, raised welt on the skin

You may also develop hives or have trouble breathing if you have an allergic reaction to the sting. Most bee stings result in normal localized reactions. But multiple stings, stings inside the mouth or throat, and stings to those allergic to bee venom can be very dangerous.

Why Do Bees Sting?

Bees sting to defend themselves or their hive. Here's an overview of reasons bees may become aggressive and sting:

Protecting the Hive

Worker bees have barbed stingers primarily to defend their hive from threats. Honey bees live together in colonies with thousands of other bees. They will fiercely protect the queen bee, larvae, honeycombs, and honey they worked hard to produce.

If a bear, skunk, or other predator disturbs the hive, bees may swarm out to sting the intruder until it retreats. Bees will also sting to defend their hive from perceived threats like loud noises, vibrations, smoke, and more.

Defending Themselves

Bees don't want to sting for no reason. If an individual bee is away from the hive foraging, it will only sting if it feels threatened and has no way to escape. Common reasons a foraging bee may sting in self-defense include:

• Accidentally bumping into a bee
• Swatting at a bee
• Touching a bee while trying to brush it off
• Squishing or crushing a bee against skin
• Trapping a bee in clothing
• Stepping on a bee with bare feet

Bees are more likely to sting if they get caught in your hair or clothes. The darkness and confined space makes them panic and sting frantically to escape.

Signs of Aggression

Bees will usually give some warning signs before stinging. Stay alert for signals of bee aggression like:

• Loud buzzing
• Erratic, darting movements
• Headbutting or repeated bumping
• Chasing you
• Bobbing lower abdomen up and down

These behaviors indicate you are too close to a hive or the bee feels threatened. Slowly move away from the bee to avoid provoking it further.

Avoiding Bee Stings

You can greatly reduce your chances of getting stung by being cautious around bees and not antagonizing them. Some tips to avoid bee stings include:

• Don't swat at or squash bees
• Remain calm and still if a bee approaches
• Wear light colors and avoid floral prints
• Avoid wearing strong perfumes or lotions
• Keep food and drinks covered outdoors
• Wear shoes outside
• Don't touch beehives or nests
• Stay away from areas with many bees buzzing
• Have a professional remove problem bee nests

Be extra careful around bees if you have a known bee allergy. Carry emergency medication like an EpiPen in case of allergic reactions.

What to Do If a Bee Approaches You

If a bee lands on you or flies around you, resist the urge to swat at it. Stay calm and wait for the bee to leave on its own. Slowly walk away from the area to avoid disturbing it further.

If the bee gets caught in your hair or clothes, carefully pluck or brush it off without crushing it. You can also try trapping the bee under an empty cup, sliding a piece of paper under the cup, and releasing the bee outside.

Stay Away From Bee Nests

Leave bee nests and hives alone so you don't disturb and anger them. Honey bees build nests in tree hollows, chimneys, attics, and boxes or crates. Bumblebee nests look like small mounds of grass and sticks either above or below ground.

If you find bees are frequently building nests on your property, consider landscaping with less bee-friendly plants. You can also contact a professional bee removal service to relocate hives.

Treating Bee Stings

Getting stung by a bee is uncomfortable, but the injury usually heals on its own. Here’s what you can do to treat a bee sting:

Remove the Stinger

If you see a stinger in your skin, use tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin as possible. Pull straight out to remove the stinger and venom sac attached to it. Avoid squeezing the stinger, which can push more venom into your skin.

Clean the Sting Site

Wash the sting area with soap and water to remove dirt and debris. This helps prevent infection in the wound.

Apply Cold Compress

A cold compress can help ease pain, swelling, and itching. Wrap an ice pack or cold, wet washcloth on the sting area for 10-15 minutes at a time.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.