To attract and feed bees and butterflies, pollinator gardens are becoming more popular. These gardens usually use native plants. This is occurring as a response to the news that our bees and butterflies are quickly disappearing. Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) caused honey bee farmers to lose a lot of money starting in the early 2000s, which is likely what made them realize this. Around the same time, folks began noticing that Monarch butterflies were in trouble. It wasn’t long till we also began to realize that our native bees were disappearing, too.
Honey bees are native to Europe. They are just another type of farm animal, like cattle, hogs, or chickens. It would be hard for honey producers to make money without them, but it wouldn’t be as bad for the environment as losing our native bee species. In fact, there are probably up to 4,000 species of bees that are native to North America. These bugs are very important for pollinating most of our flowering plants, including many of the foods we eat. Many of our native bees are specialists, relying on one or a very few different kinds of plants. (Honey bees, on the other hand, are generalists – they will collect pollen from just about any plant. It looks like a honey bee, a bumblebee, and a metallic green sweat bee sharing a purple coneflower. Honey Bees are not native to North America. They are generalists, feeding on just about anything that flowers. In order to stay alive, some of our native species need just one or a few native plants.
So to “save the bees” people have started growing native flowers, and creating pollinator gardens. These can be small gardens in people’s yards, old farm fields that have been fixed up, or educational gardens in parks, business areas, or school yards. But one worry that comes up a lot, especially in school yards, is that all those flowers will sting the kids.
People have a natural aversion to bee stings. And for good reason – they hurt. Some folks are severely allergic and must carry an epi-pen when they go outdoors.
When I was about 4 years old, my parents rented a farmhouse out in the country. There were two very old apple trees at the end of a very long (for a four-year-old) laneway. I saw what I thought were yellow “manure-flies” (at four I wasn’t very discerning). There were a lot of them between the two trees, so I thought it would be a good idea to run through them and spread them out. My four-year-old legs couldn’t get me up the long hill to the house fast enough, and I got stung a lot. Fortunately I don’t seem to be overly allergic.
After 15 years, I’m a counselor at a summer camp and my job is to get rid of the bumblebee nest that’s under the front step of one of the cabins. As I bent over to observe the results of my destruction, a bumble bee found my backside. I literally could not sit on that cheek for a week.
In fifty years, I had to take down a homemade compost bin made from old pallets so that an arborist could cut down a few big mulberry trees. Halfway through the pile, I saw that three different kinds of flying insects had moved in. One looked like a bee, but the other two were clearly wasps (I didn’t stay long enough to make a proper ID). My 65-year-old legs couldn’t get me up the hill in my yard to the house fast enough to avoid getting stung several times. Yes, bee and wasp stings hurt. This is what I get for destroying their home. I have never been stung if I wasn’t doing something to provoke the bees or wasps.
These three experiences with bees and wasps are likely the most memorable, but they’re by no means the only times I’ve been stung. Still, I have a lot of pollinator gardens in my yard, and even though I get very close to the bees when I take pictures of them, they have never stung me or even seemed dangerous. The only time this didn’t happen was when I accidentally put my hand on top of a ground-nesting bee that was trying to leave its home. The sting was only slightly worse than a fly bite, though, and it never even swelled up. I took it as simply a warning to “get off me”. ).
So what is the real chance of getting stung near a pollinator garden? I think it is very very small. You are probably more likely to get stung walking down the sidewalk or opening your garden shed door. This is for a number of reasons.
First of all, most of our native bees are solitary. Many don’t even have stingers. And while they’re looking for food among the flowers, they don’t notice the big animal (a person) that is nearby. This is true even for bees that have stingers, like honey bees and bumble bees (note: only females of these species sting). Bees normally only sting if they feel threatened or if they are accidentally (or deliberately) molested or provoked.
Several wasps and hornets, on the other hand, live in colonies and are very territorial. They will sometimes sting if you simply get too close to their nest. It’s likely that the wasps that stung me and the yellow “manure flies” and other bugs in my compost pile were just protecting their nest. ) Paper wasps, mud wasps, etc. bird nests are often built by people, like in your garden shed, on the eaves of your garage, or on the garden hose hanger. This is where you’ll most likely encounter these territorial insects, and where you’re most likely to get stung. Paper Wasp Fake wasp nest can be an effective deterrent. Mud DauberPaper wasps (left) are very territorial and protect their nest from any perceived intruders, including humans. Lucky for us, an artificial nest is easy for them to spot, so they’ll think the spot is already taken and build somewhere else. Mud daubbers like to build on structures, like garage eaves, garden hose reels, etc. These two things are more likely to sting you than bees who are busy in a pollinator garden gathering pollen or drinking nectar.
It’s also not likely that you’ll get stung in pollinator gardens because bees and most wasps eat very different things. Many wasps are carnivores, filling their need for protein from insects (or in the fall, your picnic dinner). The animals that will be busy in your pollinator garden are not the ones that will sting you for being too close. (There ARE wasps that hang out in flowerbeds and drink the nectar, but I have never seen any of them being mean.) ) Not all stinging insects will sting you. Some are gentle enough to hold on your hand. Hoverflies are pollinators that look like bees but don’t sting. Two-moons Beewolves are solitary predators that eat bees. The American Sand Wasp is one of many pollinators that dig tunnels in the ground. Beeflies are another bee mimic that are important pollinators and do not sting. The Black Digger Wasp also lives alone and doesn’t care that my camera is right next to it while it does its business.
You don’t have to worry about getting stung if your child’s school, your boss, or your neighbor decides to put in a pollinator garden to help save these very important insects. A little bit of care and some education can make this a win-win scenario. And if you or your child is highly allergic – just remember to carry your epi-pen. And keep in mind that the pollinator garden is a very unlikely source of bee stings. Canada Darner dragonfly eaating a Yellow Jacket wasp. Some bees are VERY tiny, but still effective pollinators. Sharing a meal on Anise Hyssop. European Wool Carder Bee on Foxglove Beardtongue Great Golden Digger Wasp on Purple Coneflower Pollen Heaven.
Do Pollinating Bees Sting? What You Should Know About Stinging Risks
Bees play a vital role as pollinators in ecosystems around the world. Their ability to carry pollen from flower to flower makes them essential for plant reproduction and food production. However, one thing that deters some people from wanting bees around is the fear of being stung. So do pollinating bees sting?
The short answer is that most pollinating bees can sting but rarely do. While all female bees have stingers, their purpose is mainly for defense rather than offense. Pollinators like honey bees and bumblebees will avoid stinging unless they feel threatened or provoked. Understanding pollinator behavior and taking precautions can greatly reduce any risks.
Why Bees Sting
Bees, wasps, and ants all belong to the insect order Hymenoptera. A distinguishing feature of this group is that the females possess a stinger. This stinger develops from a modified egg-laying organ.
Though designed for laying eggs, the stinger also serves as a means of defense. Venom injected through the stinger can ward off predators and other threats to the colony. For social bee species, the stinger protects the queen along with the workers and the hive itself. Solitary bees may use the stinger to defend a nest from invaders.
Some key reasons bees might sting include:
- Defense of the hive/nest when under attack
- Perceived danger to the queen, workers or drones
- Protection of food sources and foraging areas
- Accidental encounters such as stepped on or swatted
- Disturbance of the hive structure or habitat
The venom itself contains compounds like histamine and serotonin that produce reactions like pain, swelling and itchiness around the sting site. For most people, a bee sting results in temporary localized discomfort. But those with allergies can have severe reactions that require medical treatment
Differences Among Bee Species
There are over 20,000 known species of bees worldwide. The most common pollinating bees include honey bees, bumblebees, carpenter bees, stingless bees and orchid bees. Their likeliness to sting can vary:
Honey Bees – Honey bees are not aggressive by nature and will only sting as a last resort. Africanized honey bees are more defensive and prone to swarming.
Bumblebees – Bumblebees rarely sting unless provoked or their nest is disturbed. The sting is milder compared to honey bees.
Stingless Bees – As their name suggests, stingless bee species lack stingers entirely. They are completely harmless pollinators.
Carpenter Bees – Male carpenter bees are harmless as they don’t have stingers. Only fertilized females are capable of stinging but aren’t overly defensive.
Orchid Bees – Male orchid bees collect scents rather than nectar or pollen. Neither gender is aggressive, though females can sting if handled.
In general, pollinating bees tend to be docile while foraging. Their focus is on gathering nectar and pollen, not looking for opportunities to sting. Some bees like stingless bees don’t even have that capability.
Risk Factors for Bee Stings
While mellow in nature, bee stings do occur. Some activities raise the chances of accidentally angering foraging bees or disturbing hives and nests:
- Swatting at or handling bees
- Accidentally stepping on ground-nesting bees
- Disturbing flowering plants being visited by bees
- Spraying nests and hives with chemicals, water or soap
- Exposing bee habitats like tree hollows or bare ground
- Vibrating hive boxes during inspection or harvest
- Approaching hives and nests too closely
Beekeeping tasks like adding honey supers and hive inspections require proper protective equipment to avoid defensive bees. But in general, calm and gentle movements around flowers, nests and hives can prevent perceived threats that trigger stinging behavior.
Precautions Around Bees
Taking some basic precautions can allow us to peacefully co-exist with bees:
- Remain calm and still when bees are nearby
- Avoid swatting at or handling bees
- Do not disturb or stand near nests and hives
- Wear light colored, smooth fabrics
- Avoid heavily perfumed soaps, shampoos and deodorants
- Cover sugary drinks and foods outdoors
- Check yards and playgrounds for nests if bee activity increases
Whilepollinating bees will avoid stinging when possible, accidents do occur. Having an emergency kit on hand with treatments like sting relief spray, antihistamines, and epinephrine for those with allergies is advisable.
Sting Consequences for Bees
An unfortunate fact about stinging is that it proves fatal for honey bees. When a honey bee stings, its barbed stinger becomes lodged in the skin. As the bee tries to pull away, this rips out not just the stinger but also part of the abdomen and digestive tract. This massive injury causes the honey bee to die within a few hours to days.
Bumblebees, whose stingers are smooth rather than barbed, can sting repeatedly without
injury. Carpenter bees also lose just the stinger itself when they sting, allowing them to survive. But for honey bees, stinging is a kamikaze mission.
Value of Pollinating Bees
The ecosystem services provided by pollinating bees far outweigh any minimal risks from stinging. A world without bees could have devastating impacts on food production, plant biodiversity, wildlife, economies and more. Supporting pollinators through actions like planting native flowers and avoiding pesticides is crucial.
With proper understanding and precautions, the presence of bees around homes, gardens and agricultural areas should be welcomed. Their role in pollinating flowers and crops outweighs an isolated sting. We can co-exist safely with bees by being aware of nests, adjusting our activities if needed, and admiring their beauty as they visit flowers rather than fearing their sting.
Why Bees Die After They Sting You (ouch)
FAQ
Will bees sting while pollinating?
Are pollen bees aggressive?
What type of bees don’t sting?
Do garden bees sting?
Do bees sting?
In addition to their lack of venomous stingers, bees that don’t sting are known for their peaceful nature. They are not easily provoked and are more interested in going about their daily activities than engaging in aggressive behavior. This peaceful demeanor makes them excellent pollinators and beneficial garden companions.
Will the burning stop after a bee sting?
Yes, most definitely, the burning sensation after a bee sting will decrease and go away completely in a few hours. The redness may last for a few days, and the swelling around the sting area may also take a few days to completely resolve. But the burning sensation should resolve soon.
Do bees have stingers?
Only female bees have stingers (which are modified ovipositors, organs originally used to lay eggs). Many bee species have black and yellow coloration, but many do not—they actually come in a variety of colors, including green, blue, red, or black. Some are striped, and some even have a metallic sheen.
Can bees buzz pollinate?
Interestingly enough, not all species of bees can buzz pollinate. For example, honeybees can’t buzz pollinate like bumblebees, carpenter bees, and squash bees can. With that said, honeybees are still important pollinators for our ecosystem. In fact: Pollinators are responsible for one in every three bites of food we eat. (1)
What happens if a solitary bee stings you?
If these solitary bees die in the act of trying to sting you, there will be no one else to collect pollen and nectar for her young. Perhaps you’ll also be surprised to hear that since stingers are nothing more than a modified version of an insect’s ovipositor, or egg-laying structure, only female bees can sting.
How does a worker bee sting work?
When a worker bee stings, barbs in the stinger firmly stick into the victim. When the bee pulls away or is removed, its venom sac and glands are pulled from its body, killing the bee. The venom sac left in the victim continues to pump venom, which is why you should never try to remove the venom sac by pinching it.