Bees, often viewed with apprehension, interact with humans due to biological needs. Understanding why bees approach you can alleviate fear. Their behavior is a search for resources or a response to environmental cues, not aggression.
What Draws Bees In
Bees are primarily drawn to nectar and pollen, vital for their survival. Their foraging instincts lead them to investigate environmental cues, including human scents and appearances.
Sweet scents from perfumes, lotions, hair products, or fruity smells mimic flower aromas. Bees’ sensitive sense of smell detects these fragrances, mistaking them for food sources. Human sweat, particularly during physical exertion, attracts “sweat bees” (Halictidae family). These bees seek salts and minerals in perspiration as a nutritional supplement.
Clothing’s visual appearance also attracts bees. Bright, floral colors like blue, purple, and yellow are highly attractive, as these hues are common in pollinated flowers. Contrasting patterns, similar to flower petals, can also draw their attention. Dark colors may be perceived as a threat or resemble a hive entrance by some bee species, potentially triggering a defensive response.
Sweet foods and sugary beverages are strong attractants for bees seeking energy. Picnic foods, spilled drinks, and open trash cans draw bees seeking readily available sugars. Erratic or sudden movements can be misinterpreted as a threat, leading to defensive behavior.
Are They Really Bees?
Many stinging insects are often confused with bees, so distinguishing them is important for appropriate responses.
Bees, including honey bees and bumble bees, have rounder, robust bodies covered in fuzzy hairs that help collect pollen. Their coloring ranges from muted yellows and browns to black. Wasps, by contrast, have sleeker, slender bodies with a distinct “wasp waist,” appearing smooth and shiny with minimal hair. Their coloration is a vibrant, sharply contrasted yellow and black.
Behavioral differences are notable. Bees focus on foraging for nectar and pollen and are less aggressive, stinging mainly when provoked or their hive is threatened. Honey bees have barbed stingers, stinging once and dying as the stinger remains. Wasps, particularly yellow jackets, are more aggressive, especially when scavenging food, and possess smooth stingers allowing repeated stings. Hornets, a type of wasp, are known for aggressive nest defense and multiple stings.
Responding When Bees Are Near
When a bee approaches, maintain a calm demeanor. Panicking or swatting can agitate it and increase sting likelihood. Bees are not aggressive unless they perceive a direct threat.
If a bee is persistent, move away slowly and deliberately. Avoid sudden, jerky movements, as these can be interpreted as an attack. Instead of swatting, gently walk away from the area.
If bees are attracted to food or drinks, covering or moving them can deter them. Wearing neutral or muted colors, and avoiding strong floral or fruity perfumes reduces attraction.
For multiple stings, seek immediate shelter in a building or vehicle. For severe allergic reactions to a bee sting, such as widespread swelling or difficulty breathing, prompt medical attention is necessary.