Bumblebees are important pollinators. Many people wonder if these insects sting or bite. Understanding their behavior clarifies how they defend themselves and how humans can coexist peacefully with them.
Understanding Bumblebee Stings
Only female bumblebees, including workers and queens, can sting. Male bumblebees, or drones, do not have stingers. A bumblebee sting is a defensive action, typically occurring when the bee feels threatened, such as if its nest is disturbed, or if it is accidentally squashed or handled.
Unlike honeybees, which have barbed stingers that remain in the skin and result in the bee’s death, bumblebees have smooth, unbarbed stingers. This allows a female bumblebee to sting multiple times without harming itself. When a bumblebee stings, it injects venom, causing immediate sharp pain. This is often followed by localized redness, swelling, and itching, which can persist for several hours or days. While most reactions are localized, about 1% of individuals may experience an allergic reaction, ranging from larger local swelling to anaphylaxis, which requires immediate medical attention.
Do Bumblebees Bite?
Bumblebees do not possess teeth or jaws capable of inflicting a painful bite on humans. The notion of a bumblebee “biting” is a misconception. Instead, bumblebees have mandibles, which are a pair of pincer-like appendages. These mandibles are used for various essential tasks, none of which involve a defensive bite against humans.
The mandibles serve functions such as collecting pollen, manipulating wax for nest construction, or assisting newly emerged bees in biting their way out of their cocoons. They also help stabilize the bee’s proboscis, or tongue, when it is extended to collect nectar from flowers. While a bumblebee might use its mandibles to nip a very small intruder or object, any contact with human skin would be negligible and not a primary defensive mechanism like a sting.
Avoiding Encounters and Distinguishing Responses
Bumblebees are docile and non-aggressive insects, preferring to avoid confrontations with humans. They focus on foraging for nectar and pollen and only sting if they perceive a direct threat. To minimize the chance of being stung, remain calm and move slowly if a bumblebee is nearby, rather than swatting at it. Avoiding disturbances to their nests is also important, as they become protective when their home is threatened.
Other preventative measures include avoiding strong perfumes or scented lotions, as well as brightly colored or floral-patterned clothing, which can attract them. The key difference between a sting and any potential mandible use is the presence of venom and the resulting pain and swelling from a sting, which is the primary concern for human interaction.