When a bee or a wasp approaches a person, it is almost never an unprovoked attack, but rather an investigation driven by instinctual needs like foraging or defense. Understanding the specific motivation behind the insect’s approach requires recognizing the species and the environmental cues that trigger this behavior. Identifying the insect and the reason for its presence allows one to respond appropriately and safely.
Telling Bees Apart From Other Insects
The insect flying near you is often not a bee, but a wasp, which is a significant distinction for managing the encounter. Bees, such as honeybees and bumblebees, have robust, rounded bodies covered in fine, dense hairs, giving them a fuzzy appearance. This hair helps them collect and transport pollen for their diet of nectar and pollen. Bees are generally focused on flowers and are less aggressive, stinging only when they perceive a direct threat to themselves or their hive. Honeybees die shortly after a single sting due to their barbed stinger.
Wasps, including yellow jackets and hornets, have a sleek, smooth body texture and a noticeably narrow waist, or “petiole,” connecting the thorax and abdomen. They are omnivores and are frequently drawn to human activities because they scavenge for both sugars and proteins, such as those found in discarded food or sugary drinks. Wasps are generally more aggressive and can sting repeatedly because their stingers are not barbed. If the insect hovering near your picnic is sleek and intensely interested in your food, it is likely a wasp, not a docile foraging bee.
Factors That Attract Bees To Your Vicinity
Bees are drawn to people and their surroundings by sensory cues that they often mistake for a food source. Many personal care products, including perfumes, hairsprays, and scented lotions, contain chemical compounds that mimic the scent of floral nectar. Bees interpret these fragrances as a sign of a nearby food source, leading them to investigate the person wearing them.
The colors and patterns of clothing attract bee attention. Bees possess vision that allows them to see ultraviolet light, which helps them locate flowers. Bright, solid colors, particularly yellows and blues, can be visually mistaken for large blooms, prompting a closer inspection by a foraging bee. Conversely, dark or black clothing can sometimes be perceived as a threat, though light, smooth-finished clothing is recommended to avoid attracting them.
Some smaller species, known as sweat bees, are specifically attracted to human perspiration. These tiny bees land on skin to consume the moisture and salt found in sweat. This behavior is driven by the bee’s need for sodium and other electrolytes, which are scarce in their diet. In warm weather, when people sweat more, the presence of these insects looking for minerals can become more noticeable.
Managing the Encounter Safely
If an insect is buzzing nearby, the most effective response is to remain calm and avoid sudden, sweeping movements. Swatting or flailing arms will be interpreted as an aggressive threat, which can provoke a defensive sting, especially from a more territorial wasp. Instead, slowly move away from the area and seek shelter indoors or in a vehicle if the insect persists.
To reduce the likelihood of attracting them, avoid wearing strong floral or sweet-smelling scents, which can mistakenly signal a nectar source to foraging bees. Covering all sweet drinks and food when dining outside is also important, as sugary spills and exposed liquids strongly attract scavenging wasps.
If a bee lands on you, the best action is usually to stand still and wait for it to realize you are not a flower. If a honeybee does sting, it will leave its barbed stinger and venom sac embedded in the skin. The stinger should be removed immediately by scraping it away sideways with a fingernail or a blunt object, rather than pinching it, which can inject more venom.