What to Do If You Are Swarmed by Bees: A Comprehensive Guide

Being swarmed by bees can be a frightening experience, but understanding how to react can significantly reduce the risk of stings and potential harm. The key is to remain calm, avoid provoking the bees further, and move strategically. Here’s what you need to know to handle a bee swarm situation effectively:

Immediate Actions When Swarmed by Bees

If you find yourself surrounded by a swarm of bees, your primary goal is to get away quickly and safely. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

1. Run: The most important first action is to run away from the swarm as quickly as possible. Don’t make the mistake of staying in place and swatting at the bees. This will agitate them further and invite more stings. Aim for a safe distance as rapidly as you can.
2. Seek Shelter: As you run, look for immediate shelter. Ideal options include:
   • A car: Get inside, close the doors, and roll up the windows.
   • A building: Enter any nearby structure, such as a home, store, or office, and shut the door firmly behind you.
   • Public toilets: These can offer a temporary safe space.
   • Any enclosed space that puts a physical barrier between you and the swarm.
3. Keep Moving If Necessary: If shelter isn’t immediately available, or if bees are still actively pursuing you after you’ve taken refuge, continue to run. They might continue to follow you for a short distance, but they usually won’t chase for more than half a mile.
4. Remove Stingers: Once you are safe, carefully remove any stingers that might be embedded in your skin. Use a firm edge like a credit card or fingernail to scrape the stinger out; avoid squeezing it, which can inject more venom.
5. Wash and Observe: Wash the stung areas with clean water and soap. If you experience more than minor local reactions, such as swelling, redness, or itching, or if you develop more serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, dizziness, or nausea, seek medical attention immediately.

Things to Avoid

There are some common mistakes people make when being attacked by bees. Be sure to avoid:

• Swatting at Bees: This makes them more aggressive and more likely to sting.
• Jumping into Water: Bees will wait for you to surface and may track you by the carbon dioxide bubbles that you release, making you an easy target. Additionally, you increase your risk of drowning.
• Panicking: Panicking can lead to less effective decisions. Stay calm and implement your escape plan methodically.

Understanding Bee Behavior

It’s important to understand why bees swarm and how this impacts their behavior. Swarming is a natural process for honey bees, a form of colony reproduction. When a colony gets too large, the old queen leaves with a portion of the worker bees to establish a new nest. During a swarm, the bees are typically not aggressive because they are focused on finding a new home. However, they can still sting if they feel threatened.

• Swarm Aggression: Swarming bees are less likely to sting than bees protecting their hive, but they will defend themselves if provoked.
• Distance and Persistence: Most bees won’t chase for very long, typically a maximum of half a mile or so. However, some species like Africanized honey bees (also known as “killer bees”) are known to pursue their targets for over a quarter of a mile, and are significantly more aggressive.
• Speed: Bees can fly at speeds of 12-15 mph, but humans can usually outrun them, particularly with the adrenaline that comes with being chased.
• Motion Detection: Bees have compound eyes that are excellent at detecting movement. Therefore, staying still is NOT recommended during an attack.

Recognizing the Difference Between a Swarm and an Attack

• Swarm: A swarm is a large group of bees flying in a mass, usually looking for a new nest. They typically land together on a tree or bush. In general, they are less aggressive.
• Attack: An attack is when bees actively pursue and sting. This can be due to disturbances near their hive or, in the case of killer bees, perceived threats even at a distance.

Prevention

While you can’t always prevent bee encounters, there are steps you can take to minimize your chances of being swarmed:

• Avoid Beehives: Stay away from areas where bees are nesting.
• Be Cautious: Be observant when outdoors.
• Don’t Disturb Nests: Never attempt to remove a bee nest yourself. Instead, contact a professional pest controller or beekeeper.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to give you more information about dealing with bee swarms:

1. How far can bees chase you?

Generally, most honey bees will not chase you more than half a mile. However, aggressive species like Africanized honey bees can chase you for over a quarter of a mile.

2. Can I outrun a swarm of bees?

Yes, most healthy adults can outrun a swarm of bees. Bees can fly at speeds of 12-15 mph but human adrenaline should make running faster than that.

3. Is it safe to jump into water to avoid bees?

No, jumping into water is not recommended. Bees can wait for you to surface and may track you via your breath bubbles, continuing their attack. Additionally, it poses a drowning risk.

4. What time of day are bees most aggressive?

Bees are often more aggressive as the sun comes up and temperatures increase. However, they can also become aggressive if disturbed while resting at night.

5. Do bees remember faces?

Yes, bees are capable of recognizing individual features on human faces and can remember them during repeat interactions.

6. Should I stand still if a bee comes near me?

If a single bee approaches, then yes staying still is advisable, it can’t really see you if you are still. However, if you are swarmed, you need to run and seek shelter immediately, as motion is what they follow.

7. What triggers a bee swarm?

Changing weather conditions from cool/rainy to warm/sunny often stimulate the natural urge of bees to swarm. Typically swarms happen between 10 AM and 2 PM during good weather.

8. How long does a bee swarm last?

A swarm typically stays in one place for a few hours or maybe a day, but some swarms may remain for several days depending on weather conditions and how long it takes scout bees to find a suitable nesting site.

9. Are swarming bees more or less aggressive than bees in a hive?

Generally, swarming bees are less aggressive because they are focused on finding a new nest. However, they will still sting if provoked.

10. How do I remove a bee stinger properly?

Use a firm edge like a credit card or fingernail to scrape the stinger out. Do not pinch or squeeze it, as that will inject more venom.

11. Why shouldn’t I swat at bees?

Swatting at bees makes them more aggressive, increasing the risk of being stung.

12. What are Africanized honey bees?

Africanized honey bees are also known as “killer bees”. They are more aggressive, react more quickly to disturbances, and chase for longer distances than European honey bees.

13. When is bee activity the highest?

Bee activity is highest from early spring to late fall, with the most aggressive behavior typically occurring from August until October.

14. What should I do if I find a bee swarm?

If the bees are not a threat to anyone, the best thing is to leave them alone. Otherwise, contact a professional pest controller or beekeeper. Do not attempt to remove the swarm yourself.

15. How long will bees stay mad at you?

Bees usually calm down in a week or two if they were upset because of your actions. If the reason for their defensiveness is environmental, they may calm down as soon as something new blooms.

Conclusion

Encountering a bee swarm can be alarming, but knowing how to react can significantly reduce the risk of stings. Run, seek immediate shelter, remove stingers properly, and seek medical attention if necessary. By understanding bee behavior and taking the proper precautions, you can navigate these situations safely and effectively. Stay informed, stay calm, and stay safe!