Bees are often misconstrued as hostile, a perception stemming from their ability to sting. However, bees are not aggressive by nature; stinging is primarily a defensive action. They typically sting only when they perceive a direct threat to themselves or their colony. Understanding their behavior helps foster coexistence.
Understanding Bee Defensive Behavior
A bee’s sting serves as its primary defense mechanism. For social bees like honeybees, this involves protecting their hive, which contains their queen, offspring, and vital food stores. A honeybee’s barbed stinger typically lodges in the skin, resulting in the bee’s death.
When a honeybee stings, it releases an alarm pheromone, a chemical signal alerting other bees to danger. This pheromone can mobilize additional bees to join the defense, potentially leading to multiple stings if the threat remains. This collective defense strategy prioritizes the colony’s survival.
Different Bees, Different Temperaments
Not all bees sting, and their defensive behaviors vary across species. Honeybees, living in large social colonies, defend their hives. Worker bees possess a barbed stinger, making them more likely to sting if their nest is disturbed.
Bumblebees, also social, are more docile than honeybees and less prone to stinging. They can sting multiple times because their smooth stingers lack barbs, meaning they do not die after stinging. Solitary bees, such as mason bees or leafcutter bees, are even less likely to sting, as they do not have a large colony or honey stores to defend. They sting only if directly handled or accidentally trapped.
Africanized honeybees, a hybrid of African and European honeybee subspecies, exhibit a heightened defensive response. They react more quickly, in larger numbers, and pursue threats over greater distances than European honeybees. While their venom is similar, their increased defensiveness poses a greater concern.
Preventing Bee Stings
Avoiding situations that might trigger a bee’s defensive response reduces the risk of stings. Moving calmly and slowly around bees is important, as sudden movements can be perceived as a threat. Wearing light-colored, smooth-textured clothing also helps, as bees may perceive dark colors or fuzzy textures as potential predators.
Be cautious around flowering plants, fruit trees, or outdoor food and drinks, as these attract bees. Keeping food and beverages covered outdoors prevents bees from being drawn to them. If a bee is investigating you, remain still; it will likely move on once it determines there is no nectar or pollen.
What to Do When a Bee is Near
If a bee is flying nearby, remain calm and avoid sudden movements. Swatting or flailing can provoke the bee and increase the likelihood of a sting. Instead, slowly and calmly walk away from the area to create distance.
Should a bee sting occur, remove the stinger quickly if it is from a honeybee, as the venom sac can continue to pump venom into the skin. Scrape the stinger out with a fingernail or the edge of a credit card, rather than pinching it, which could release more venom. After removing the stinger, wash the area with soap and water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain.