A bee swarm represents a sudden, overwhelming defensive response from a colony that perceives an immediate threat, involving a large number of bees acting in coordinated aggression. The urgency of a swarm attack stems from the rapid accumulation of stings, which can inject a medically significant dose of venom, even in individuals who are not allergic. Taking quick, correct action is paramount for safety.
Immediate Escape Protocol
The most effective action when a swarm attacks is to run away immediately. Sprinting in a straight line provides the best chance to quickly increase the distance between yourself and the colony’s defensive perimeter. A motivated person can often outrun the pursuing swarm, as aggressive honey bees typically give up the chase once they are a quarter-mile away or less.
Protecting your face, head, and neck is critical, as stings to these areas are significantly more dangerous than those to the limbs or torso. If no protective clothing is available, pull your shirt collar up over your mouth and nose. This safeguards your airway and vision, accepting stings to the chest or back as a trade-off.
Seek immediate, enclosed shelter such as a house, a closed car, or a shed. A solid barrier is the only reliable way to stop the attack. Once inside, close all doors and windows, and then deal with the few bees that may have followed you. Continue running toward this shelter until the bees have ceased their pursuit.
Counterproductive Reactions to Avoid
A natural, yet hazardous, instinct is to swat at the attacking insects, but this action should be avoided entirely. Striking or crushing a bee releases an alarm pheromone, a volatile chemical signal that alerts other members of the colony to the threat. This chemical attracts more bees and intensifies their defensive behavior, escalating the swarm into a more dangerous attack.
Jumping into water is ill-advised. Bees will simply hover over the water’s surface, waiting for the person to come up for air. This only prolongs the exposure and ensures the attack will resume the moment the person resurfaces.
Do not attempt to stand still or hide in dense brush. Stillness will not deter a defensive swarm already in attack mode. Hiding in thick vegetation slows down the escape and prevents you from finding a solid, enclosed shelter. The focus must remain on rapid, sustained movement toward a safe, enclosed space.
Post-Escape Medical Response
Once you have reached a secure, enclosed location, the priority shifts to removing any stingers and monitoring for health complications. Honey bees leave behind a barbed stinger and an attached venom sac, which continues to pump venom into the skin for up to a minute after the sting. The best technique is to scrape the stinger out quickly using a fingernail, the edge of a credit card, or a similar straight object.
Avoid pinching the venom sac with tweezers or fingers, as this can force more venom into the wound. After removing the stinger, the area should be washed thoroughly with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection. Applying a cold compress to the sting site helps reduce pain and localized swelling.
It is imperative to watch for signs of a severe systemic allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, which typically develops within minutes to an hour of the sting. Symptoms demanding emergency medical attention include:
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing.
- Swelling of the tongue or throat.
- Dizziness.
- Hives or swelling that spreads to areas away from the sting site.
Even without a known allergy, receiving multiple stings can cause a toxic reaction that requires professional medical assessment.