Can Bees Sting?

Yes — bees can sting, but not all bees do, and not all stings work the same way:

Honey Bees: Honey bees can sting, but only the females (workers and queens) have stingers. A honey bee’s stinger is barbed, meaning it lodges into the skin when it stings. When a honey bee tries to fly away, the stinger (and part of its abdomen) tears away, killing the bee shortly after. Because of this, a honey bee can only sting once.
Bumble Bees: Bumble bees can sting multiple times because their stingers are smooth, not barbed. They tend to be less aggressive than honey bees, usually stinging only if they feel threatened or their nest is disturbed.
Carpenter Bees: Female carpenter bees can sting, but males cannot (they lack stingers altogether). Even so, female carpenter bees are rarely aggressive and usually only sting when handled or provoked.
Solitary Bees (e.g., Mason or Leafcutter Bees): These species can sting but are extremely docile. Stings from these bees are rare and mild compared to those from honey bees or wasps.

Bees sting as a defensive measure, not for hunting or feeding. They do so primarily when their colony or nest is threatened, or when accidentally stepped on or handled.

When Do Bees Sting?

Bees are most likely to sting when they feel threatened or provoked — either directly or when they’re defending their nest or hive. Understanding what triggers defensive behavior can help people avoid stings. Here are the most common situations that cause bees to sting:

When Their Hive or Nest Is Disturbed: Bees are highly protective of their colony. Vibrations, loud noises, sudden movements, or even the smell of sweat or strong perfumes near a hive can trigger defensive behavior. Approaching too close or attempting to remove a nest can provoke multiple bees to sting in defense.
When Bees Are Swatted or Handled: Bees generally sting when they are crushed, trapped, or swatted at. They interpret sudden, aggressive motions as threats. Calm, slow movements are much less likely to trigger a sting.
When Bees Are Accidentally Stepped On or Caught in Clothing or Hair: If a bee is accidentally stepped on, or becomes trapped between skin and fabric, it may sting in self-defense. This is a common cause of stings outdoors, especially in grassy areas or near flowering plants.
During Hive Inspections or Beekeeping Activities: Even experienced beekeepers are stung occasionally. Bees are more defensive during hive inspections, honey harvesting, or brood handling—particularly if the colony is agitated, the weather is poor, or there’s a shortage of nectar.
In Hot, Stormy, or Windy Weather: Bees tend to be more irritable when environmental conditions are stressful. High heat, humidity, or approaching storms can make colonies more defensive, increasing the likelihood of stings.
When a Colony Is Already Agitated: If a bee has already stung and released its alarm pheromone, it signals other bees to defend the area. The scent can attract more bees and cause additional stings in the same area.
When Certain Scents or Colors Are Present: Bees can be drawn to bright colors, floral prints, or strong fragrances. While these don’t inherently provoke stings, they can increase close contact, raising the risk if the bee feels trapped or threatened.

Bee Stings

Bee stings can range from mildly irritating to life-threatening, depending on the person’s sensitivity and the number of stings received. Here’s a detailed overview of how bad bee stings can be, from typical reactions to severe complications:

Mild or Typical Reactions (Most Common):

For most people, a bee sting causes localized pain, redness, swelling, and itching at the sting site. The pain is sharp and immediate, usually lasting a few minutes, followed by soreness and mild swelling that can persist for a day or two.

The reaction is the body’s normal inflammatory response to bee venom.
It’s uncomfortable but not dangerous, and symptoms can be managed with cold compresses, antihistamines, or over-the-counter pain relief.

Moderate Reactions:

Some individuals experience more pronounced swelling and redness that extends beyond the sting site. For example, a sting on the hand may cause swelling up to the wrist or arm.

These reactions can last several days but still aren’t considered dangerous.
They indicate a stronger localized immune response but not a true allergic reaction.

Severe Allergic Reactions (Anaphylaxis):

A small percentage of people are allergic to bee venom and can experience anaphylaxis, a serious and potentially fatal reaction. Symptoms can develop within minutes of the sting and may include:

Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Swelling of the tongue, lips, or throat
Dizziness, fainting, or rapid heartbeat
Widespread hives or flushing
Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal cramping

Anaphylaxis requires immediate emergency medical treatment—usually an epinephrine injection (EpiPen) and emergency transport to a hospital. People who know they’re allergic should carry epinephrine at all times.

Multiple Bee Stings:

Even for people who aren’t allergic, numerous stings—such as from disturbing a hive—can be dangerous. Bee venom contains toxins that, in large amounts, can cause:

Headache, fever, or vomiting
Muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis)
Kidney failure or other systemic effects

Serious complications are more likely when someone receives multiple stings, though the risk of serious complications increases if the person is young, elderly, or has preexisting health conditions.

Secondary Infections:

Scratching or not cleaning the sting area can lead to bacterial infections, causing additional swelling, warmth, or pus. If that occurs, medical care is recommended.

What Do Bee Stings Look Like?

Bee stings are usually easy to identify once you know what to look for. The appearance depends on the person’s sensitivity and how their body reacts to the venom, but most bee stings share a few distinct characteristics. Here’s what bee stings generally look like and how they can change over time:

Immediate Appearance (First Few Minutes)

Right after a bee sting, you’ll typically see:

A small puncture mark where the stinger entered the skin.
Redness and slight swelling around the sting site.
A raised white or pale bump (wheal) in the center surrounded by a red halo.
In the case of a honey bee sting, the stinger may still be visible sticking out of the skin with a small venom sac attached. It looks like a tiny splinter or dark dot.

The area often feels sharp, burning, or stinging immediately after the puncture.

Within 30 Minutes to Several Hours

As the body reacts to the venom:

The area may become redder, swollen, warm, and tender.
It may develop a firm bump that feels sore to the touch.
Itching often begins as the swelling develops.

For most people, this reaction stays within a 1–2 inch radius, but in moderate cases, swelling can spread several inches from the sting site.

After 24–48 Hours

The swelling and redness may peak, then begin to fade.
The center of the sting may remain slightly firm or itchy.
Occasionally, a small scab forms where the stinger punctured the skin.

If the area becomes increasingly red, warm, or painful after a couple of days, that could indicate an infection.

Signs of a More Severe Reaction

In rare cases, the reaction spreads beyond the sting site or looks unusual:

Large local reaction: Redness and swelling extending over an entire limb or large portion of the body near the sting.
Allergic reaction: Hives or welts away from the sting area, swelling of the face or throat, and other systemic symptoms.

More severe reactions require medical attention.

Comparison to Wasp Stings

Bee stings often leave the stinger behind, while wasp stings do not. Bee stings also tend to cause more localized swelling but less immediate pain than wasp stings.

What To Do About Bee Stings

If you get stung by a bee, the most important thing is to act quickly and calmly to remove the stinger, reduce pain, and prevent further reaction. Here’s what to do if you get stung by bees:

Move to a Safe Area

Leave the area immediately. Bees release an alarm pheromone when they sting, which can attract more bees.
Get indoors or move away from the hive or swarm to prevent additional stings.

Remove the Stinger Right Away

Do this as fast as possible—the longer the stinger stays in, the more venom it injects.
Do not squeeze the stinger or venom sac. Instead, scrape it out gently using a flat object like a credit card, fingernail, or the edge of a dull knife.
Honey bees are the only common bees that leave their stinger behind; bumblebees and others do not.

Clean the Area

Wash the sting site thoroughly with soap and warm water to prevent infection.
Pat dry with a clean towel.

Reduce Pain and Swelling

Apply one or more of the following treatments:

Cold compress or ice pack: Apply for 10–15 minutes at a time to reduce pain and swelling.
Over-the-counter pain relievers: Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with discomfort.
Antihistamines (like Benadryl or Claritin): Reduce itching and swelling.
Hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion: Soothes itching and irritation.

Monitor for Allergic Reactions

Watch for signs of a systemic allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) for at least 30 minutes after the sting. Seek emergency medical care immediately if you notice:

Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, or eyes
Dizziness, fainting, or confusion
Rapid heartbeat
Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal cramping

If you have a known bee allergy, use your epinephrine injector (EpiPen) right away and call 911.

Special Situations

Multiple stings: If you’ve been stung several times, especially near the head or neck, or by a swarm, seek medical help immediately—even if you’re not allergic.
Children, elderly individuals, or those with heart/lung conditions should also be evaluated after multiple stings.

Aftercare

Keep the sting area clean and avoid scratching—it increases infection risk.
If swelling persists for more than a few days, or if you notice redness spreading, warmth, or pus, contact a healthcare professional for possible infection treatment.

Prevent Future Bee Stings

To prevent future bee stings, avoid wearing bright colors or floral-scented products that attract bees, and stay calm if one approaches—don’t swat at it. Keep food and drinks covered outdoors, seal garbage bins, and wear shoes and protective clothing when working outside. Regularly inspect and remove hives near your home with our professional help to reduce risk.