Do Bumble Bees Sting?

Many people wonder, "Do Bumble Bees Sting?" It's a common question. Here's one fact you should know: only female bumble bees have stingers. 3 This article will show how and why these buzzing insects might sting you. 1 Stay tuned to learn more about them. 2

Key Takeaways

• Only female bumble bees have stingers and they sting to protect their nest or if they feel threatened.
• Bumble bee stings can cause swelling, redness, and in severe cases, an allergic reaction called anaphylactic shock.
• Compared to honeybees and wasps, a bumble bee's sting is smooth allowing it to sting multiple times without dying.
• People usually get stung by bumblebees when they are outside more often during summer and fall.
• You can avoid getting stung by wearing light colors, moving slowly around bees, and keeping your garden free from harmful pesticides.

Understanding Bumble Bee Behavior

Bumble bees usually stay calm and focus on finding nectar. They only sting if they feel their home is in danger or if they get trapped.

General temperament

Bumblebees are not as quick to anger as hornets or yellow jackets. They prefer peace and only get upset if they must defend themselves or their home. This makes them less likely to sting people compared to other flying pests.

Worker bumblebees and queens have stingers, but they use them sparingly. 1

Only female bees can sting, and they do so to protect their nest. 2

Most of the time, bumblebees focus on collecting nectar rather than attacking. Their main goal is pollination, helping plants grow by moving pollen from one flower to another. So, while they can sting multiple times, it's rare for them to do so unless provoked.

Situations that provoke stinging

Bumble bees resort to stinging in order to guard themselves and their dwellings. They opt to sting only if they sense danger or perceive their nest is jeopardized. Here are circumstances that might incite a bumble bee to sting:

1. Making contact or coming too close to their nest - Bumble bees establish their homes in the ground or calm places. If a person steps on or close to the nest, bees perceive it as a menace. 1
2. Rapid movements in their vicinity - Speedy actions can frighten bumble bees. If you move at a slow pace, they are less likely to identify you as a threat.
3. Attempting to grasp or swing at them - This cause bumble bees to feel assaulted. It's preferable to leave them alone if they approach.
4. Loud noises close to their nests - Sound has the potential to disturb and agitate bumble bees, increasing their propensity to sting.
5. Obstructing their return route to the nest - If a bee can't return home due to an obstruction, it might resort to stinging out of fear.
6. Donning bright colors or floral scents - Bees search for flowers. Wearing bright colors or having a floral scent can mislead them and draw them near.
7. Disrupting a flower they are pollinating - Active bumble bees are occupied with collecting nectar and pollen. Interfering between them and their food resource might result in a sting.
8. Applying pesticides in their vicinity - Chemicals inflict damage and also irritate bees, heightening the probability of stinging episodes.

Maintaining tranquility around bumble bees is crucial. They undertake their duties — defending themselves and their offspring when they detect a threat in their surroundings. 1

Anatomy of a Bumble Bee Sting

A bumble bee's sting is different from that of honey bees and wasps. Their stinger doesn't have hooks, so they can sting more than once without hurting themselves.

Comparison with honeybees and wasps

Here's how bumble bees, honeybees, and wasps differ in their stinging habits. People concerned about bee stings might find this comparison helpful.

Feature	Bumble Bees	Honeybees	Wasps
Stinger Structure	Smooth, can sting multiple times	Barbed, stings once and then dies	Smooth, can sting multiple times
Temperament	Docile, rarely sting unless provoked	Generally peaceful, will sting to protect hive	More aggressive, especially near nest
Appearance	Robust and hairy	Slimmer, less hairy	Slender with a "wasp waist"
Sting Frequency	Low	Moderate, depends on hive defense	High, due to aggression

Female bees, wasps, and ants can sting. 3 Some bee kinds have lost their stingers over time. Honeybees have a unique fate after stinging; they leave their stinger and part of their abdomen behind, leading to their death. 3 The structure of a bumble bee's stinger allows it to sting multiple times, unlike the honeybee. 4 Wasps, known for their sleek "wasp waist," share this multi-sting capability due to their smooth stingers.

Now, let's look into the conditions under which bumble bees might sting.

Structure of the stinger

The bumble bee stinger is smooth, not barbed like the honeybee's. This means they can sting more than once without losing their stinger. The stinger links to two key body parts: the venom gland and Dufour's gland.

These glands produce venom with painful chemicals such as melittin, A-Hyaluronidase, and phospholipase-A. These substances cause pain and swelling when a bumble bee stings someone. 5

Their smooth stingers set them apart from bees with barbed stingers, allowing them to defend themselves multiple times if needed. This design helps bumble bees protect their nests from pest insects or threats without sacrificing their lives in the process, unlike honeybee workers who die after one sting due to their barbed stingers getting stuck in the skin of their target. 5

Do Bumble Bees Sting?

Yes, bumble bees can sting. They do this to protect their home or if they feel threatened.

Conditions under which bumble bees sting

Bumblebees usually don't sting. They only do if they feel threatened. Here are the things that can make them sting:

1. Threatening their nest - If you get too close to their home, bumblebees might see it as a threat and could sting to protect their brood. 6
2. Swatting at them - Trying to hit or swat a bumblebee can make it feel in danger and more likely to sting.
3. Stepping on them - Accidentally stepping on a bumblebee, especially if barefoot or in thin shoes, increases your chance of getting stung.
4. Fast movements - Quick moves near a bumblebee can scare it, making a sting more likely.
5. Trapping them - If a bumblebee gets trapped against your skin or between clothing layers, its response might be to sting.
6. Disturbing their food source - While they pollinate or feed on flowers, startling them can provoke a defensive reaction.

Moving slowly if you encounter them and avoiding their nests will help lower the chances of being stung by these important pollinators.

Frequency of stinging incidents

People get stung by bumblebees mostly in the summer and fall. This is when humans are outside more, near where bumblebees live and work. 1 The bees sting to protect themselves and their nests.

Even though they can be less aggressive than other insects like hornets or yellow jackets, it still happens.

Only worker bees and queens can sting; male bumblebees cannot. 1

Most of these incidents occur because someone gets too close to a nest without knowing it. Since only certain bumblebees can sting, encounters with males pose no such risk. Knowing this might help people feel safer around them during peak times.

Health Impacts of Bumble Bee Stings

Getting stung by a bumble bee can lead to swelling and redness. In serious cases, it might cause an intense allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock, needing quick medical help.

Typical reactions to stings

A sting from a bumble bee can hurt a lot right away. It can make the skin red, swollen, and itchy. These signs often last just a few hours but might stick around for days. Cold packs and medicines that bring down swelling help with these symptoms.7

Most people in the UK react badly to wasp stings more than bumble bee stings. But some have severe reactions to bumble bee stings too. This serious problem is called an allergic reaction.

Signs include hives and trouble breathing. If someone has this kind of reaction, they need medical help fast to manage it.8

Allergic reactions and treatments

People react to bumble bee stings in different ways. Most often, they feel pain or swelling at the sting spot. Yet, some might have severe allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis.

This scary reaction can make someone have trouble breathing, lower their blood pressure suddenly, and even pass out. 9 A doctor will ask about past stings and may test for specific IgE antibodies if they think a person is allergic to bee venom.

For those with serious allergies, doctors suggest desensitization. This treatment -- also called immunotherapy -- slowly gets the body used to bee venom over time. It can greatly lower the risk of a bad reaction from future stings. 9

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Preventing Bumble Bee Stings

Learning how to keep safe from bumble bee stings is key. Simple steps can make a big difference, like wearing light-colored clothing and moving slowly around bees. This way, you won't scare them or make them feel threatened.

Keep your garden free from pesticides that harm bees. Use natural ways to keep pests away instead of chemicals that can be toxic. Knowing what makes bees react helps you stay sting-free while enjoying the outdoors with these amazing insects.

Tips on avoiding stings

Avoiding bee stings is key for people concerned about bees. Here are straightforward ways to keep safe while enjoying the outdoors.

1. Wear clothes in dull or neutral colors. Bees are less attracted to these. 10
2. Skip wearing perfumes or hair sprays. These can draw bees close.
3. Stay calm and move slowly if a bee comes near. Sudden moves can scare them.
4. Keep food covered during outdoor events. Bees look for sweets and foods in the open.
5. Use screens on windows and doors at home to keep bees outside.
6. Cover trash cans securely. Open trash attracts bees searching for food.
7. If you're allergic, always have your allergy medicine ready, like epinephrine for an anaphylactic reaction.
8. Avoid places where bees live, like flower gardens, during their busy times.
9. Teach kids not to swat at bees but to walk away slowly instead.
10. Check drinks and food cans outside before using them to ensure no bee is inside.

Following these tips can help reduce the chance of bee stings while you enjoy nature safely.

Safe interaction with bumble bees

Moving from how to avoid stings, let's focus on how to safely interact with bumble bees. It's key to know that female bees are the ones that can sting. They do this only if they feel in danger. 11

1. Stay calm around bees. Quick moves or loud sounds scare them.
2. Avoid wearing bright or floral prints as these attract bees.
3. Do not try to touch, catch, or swat at a bee.
4. Keep food and sweet drinks covered outdoors to not lure bees.
5. Use unscented lotions and soaps as scented ones might draw them near.
6. Learn about where bees like to be. This includes flowers, shrubs, and some trees.
7. If a bee comes close, stay still until it leaves. 2
8. Put screens on doors and windows to keep bees outside of your home.
9. Teach kids how bees are helpful and why we should respect them.
10. Know the signs of an allergic reaction to bee stings like trouble breathing or swelling.

Understanding these points helps us live in harmony with bumble bees without causing harm to each other.

Conclusion

Yes, bumble bees can sting. They do this when they feel threatened. Female worker bumblebees and queens are the ones with stingers. Unlike honeybees, a bumble bee's sting is not a one-time use.

This means they can sting more than once without dying. Most times, these bees won't bother you if you don't bother them. Avoiding stings is simple - just move slowly and wear shoes outside.

Taking care of bumble bees is good for us all. By providing food and safe places away from pesticides, we help them thrive.

FAQs

1. Can common eastern bumble bees, also known as B. impatiens, sting?

Yes, the common eastern bumble bee can indeed sting. However, it's essential to note that only female bees have the ability to do so.

2. What happens if a solitary bee like the red mason bee or leafcutter bee stings me?

If you're stung by a solitary bee such as a red mason or leafcutter bee, you may experience urticaria - a type of skin rash caused by insect stings. Severe reactions could lead to anaphylaxis management.

3. How does neonicotinoids affect wild bees including drones and solitary bees?

Neonicotinoids are insecticides that can harm wild bees including drones and solitary types like mason and wool carder bees. Exposure may contribute to colony collapse disorder (CCD).

4. Is there any difference in pain when stung by different types of bees?

Yes! The Schmidt Sting Pain Index is used for rating the pain of various insect stings - from bumblebees to honeybees performing their waggle dance.

5. Are First Nation communities affected by issues related to bumblebees?

First Nation communities often rely on local ecosystems which include key pollinators like bumblebees; therefore they might be indirectly affected by problems such as CCD triggered potentially due to neonics exposure.

References

1. ^ https://www.orkin.com/pests/stinging-pests/bees/bumblebees/bumblebee-sting-facts
2. ^ https://takecaretermite.com/blog/do-bumblebees-sting/ (2024-04-23)
3. ^ https://www.pollinator.org/bees-vs-wasps
4. ^ https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/honey-bees-bumble-bees-carpenter-bees-and-sweat-bees.html
5. ^ https://beespotter.org/topics/stings/
6. ^ https://beevive.com/en-us/blogs/bee-blog/do-bumblebees-sting (2021-08-27)
7. ^ https://www.koppert.com/news-information/treatment-of-bumblebee-stings-and-allergies/
8. ^ https://www.koppertus.com/news-information/treatment-of-bumblebee-stings-and-allergies/
9. ^ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1113072/
10. ^ https://www.beeawareallergy.com/bee-stings/prevention/avoid-bee-stings/
11. ^ https://wisconsinbumblebees.entomology.wisc.edu/bumble-bee-faq/