Some people are afraid of bees generally, as they fear being stung. But do all bees sting?
The short answer is
‘no’! And in general, bees are not out to sting people - they do so only if threatened or aggravated in some way.
But which bees will sting you, and which bees will not?
I have actually covered all of this information before, when I created my section about ‘Bee Stings’ several years ago (more about this in a moment), however, I thought it was worth bringing some of the information into one place for ease of reference by my visitors.
Like honey bees and bumblebees, they belong to the family Apidae, but unlike honey bees and bumblebees, they have a very small stinger (actually a modified ovipositor) which is ineffective for defence (i.e. they can’t use it to sting). Stingless bees belong to the tribe ‘Meliponini’, most of which are found in tropical countries.
You can read more about stingless bees here.
Indeed some rather harmless bees can cause people to feel a little alarmed.
For example, species of Xylocopa carpenter bee males can appear quite intimidating as they apparently ‘fly at you’ should you find yourself near a nest. For those unfamiliar with it, in some countries it is a relatively large species of solitary bee, which is often mistaken for a bumblebee. Males typically fly toward (or ‘at’) any sign of activity close to the nest, to investigate the possibility of threat. However, it’s all bravado, because the male carpenter bee is unable to sting! You can read more about this behaviour here.
Yes, female bumblebees can sting, including the queens. However, bumblebees are rarely aggressive and unlikely to sting unless ‘provoked’. If you accidentally step on one or try to handle a bumblebee too clumsily, it will probably sting you. Male bumblebees cannot sting. Bumblebees buzz frantically, and/or may raise a middle leg when they feel threatened, however, a sting is perfectly possible without such warning.
Again, as with bumblebees, females are able to sting,
males (drones) cannot. If you are stung
by a honey bee, the barbed sting is likely to get left behind in your
skin. Swarming honey bees are not so
interested in stinging you as they are in finding a new nest site for the
They may also be ‘drunk’ on
honey because they fill up their honey stomachs before swarming. However, you should keep a safe distance from
a honey bee swarm, and certainly to do not provoke or throw objects at the
There are many species of solitary bees, but stings from
solitary bees are very rare, even when the species possesses a stinger.
You can avoid bee stings by taking a few sensible precautions. For example, if you have young children, avoid having a flowering lawn. Tiny feet in sandals, or bare feet running around on a grassy lawn with patches of clover, self heal or bird’s foot trefoil, could get stung by bees foraging on the flowers.
If you are keen to have a flowering lawn for the sake of the bees, ensure it is a patch where children will not be playing. There is much more advice about preventing bee stings here, and there is also advice about preventing wasp stings on this page.
To go to my general information section about bee stings including FAQs, treatment, allergies and prevention, click on this page.
If you have an allergy to bee stings, then you will need to carry an Epipen with you, and should avoid handling bees. You can read more about treating bee stings here.
In general, if you are concerned, I recommend using a repellent:
There are other products available too:
In the event that you are stung, you might like to try a Venom Extractor Kit - this is obviously something you would need to have as a precaution, and in advance of the stinging event occuring.
I have handled many bee species, always very gently, and usually when performing rescues. The intention has always been to return the bee to outdoor safety immediately. I have never been stung (apart from once, as a child, when I clumsily tried to pick up a bumblebee), but if you are unsure, then I think it’s best to be cautious.
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