Which Bees Sting More Than Once

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Bee Stings

It is commonly believed that bees die after they sting. Is this true? If so, why is it true? If not, why does the rumor exist? Read on to learn more  about the different kinds of bee stings.

Common Bee Stings

There are a few different kinds of bees you might be used to around your home, like honey bees, bumble bees and carpenter bees. All of these varieties of bee do sting, but generally only do so if they feel threatened. 

All stinging bees are female, and most will only sting when threatened! 

This is true of honey bees, those bees of legend that commit the ultimate sacrifice when defending their home. Honey bees are equipped with backward-facing barbs on their stingers, meaning that their barbs can get stuck in the skin of whatever animal is unlucky enough to get stung. When the bee flies away, the stinger is almost always ripped from their body, disemboweling the bee and killing it. These barbed stingers are filled with venom which continues to pump venom into the sting victim even after the bee is gone. 

Are There Bees That Can Sting Multiple Times?

Most bees can sting multiple times. Bumble bees and carpenter bees, unlike the honey bee, have smooth stingers. Since their stingers can be extracted from the skin as easily as they go in, they can sting their victims multiple times. Luckily for us, both bumble bees and carpenter bees aren’t terribly aggressive and typically won’t sting more than once, if at all. 

How To Avoid Bee Stings

It’s always best to avoid getting stung by a bee. While most bee stings are painful and irritating, for most people they are not life-threatening. Many types of bee are attracted to scented lotions and other cosmetic products like perfume, hairsprays and oils. They are also attracted to brightly colored clothing. Almost all bees are also attracted to sweet or sugary liquids and juices. Avoid these bee attractions if you know you will be in an area with bees. 

If a bee does get near you, stay calm. Bees only sting when they feel threatened, so don’t flail your hands or swat at it. If it lands on you, gently blow in its direction to get it to fly away. 

Find A Pest Specialist For Bee Control

If you are concerned about bees near your home, please give us a call or fill out the form on this page. PestControlExperts.com is a team of experts who are highly qualified to provide the best recommendations for you and your home, no matter which part of the United States you live in.