Did you know that bees have been considered signs of wealth, wisdom and good luck since the ancient times? Bees play a significant role in the mythology of ancient Greeks and Egyptians as symbols of life and love. In fact, the common name Melissa comes from the Greek meaning queen bee! With credentials like that, you’d think that the idea of being followed by a bee would be a welcome one.
Instead, many people today run for the hills when tailed by a buzzing bee. Sure, many people consider themselves to suffer from apiphobia, the fear of bees. And plenty of others who are allergic to bee stings. But for most people, the unpleasant buzzing and the potential for pain are enough to make bees unwanted suitors.
So if bees are not attempting to deliver sacks of cash, there must be another reason why they keep following us. Have you ever wondered why bees are attracted to some people more than others? In this post, we want to share some reasons why bees might be following you and how you can prevent an unwanted bee sting.
Why Are Bees Attracted to You?
If you were hoping we would say it’s because of your rugged good looks, we have some bad news for you. There are a few reasons why bees are attracted to humans, and they primarily have to do with scent and color. Let’s explore why bees follow us around!
You smell sweet.
One of the primary jobs of a honey bee is to collect sweet nectar from flowers to use as food for the colony. Naturally, when they smell something sugary, they want to check it out. Honey bees are attracted to sweet, sugary smells like those that come from soft drinks and fruits. They also enjoy the sweet scents of certain lotions, perfumes and hair products, especially those that resemble the aroma of flowers.
You smell like sweat.
Humans don’t love the smell of sweat. That’s why the deodorant and antiperspirant industry is so big! But do you know who does? If you guessed bees, you are correct. Bees known as halictids, or sweat bees, are attracted to the scent of perspiration. They are usually darker in color, with a metallic appearance and hints of green or red.
You look like a flower.
You may have heard people say that fashion is pain. Although we disagree with this sentiment, when it comes to bees, it could be true. Bees are especially attracted to patterns and colors that resemble those of a flower. For the most part, bees will leave you alone after realizing that your Hawaiian shirt is not an actual source of nectar. However, bright and floral patterns will make you a high-priority destination for honey bees.
You made the bee mad.
Of course, if you’ve bothered a bee, there’s a good chance that they will let you know it. Bees want to protect their hive, queen and honey supplies. When threatened, bees will defend themselves. Certain species of bees have even been known to chase humans for more than a quarter of a mile!
5 Tips for Avoiding a Bee Sting
Now that we know why bees follow us let’s share a few tips on how to avoid a nasty sting. We can’t control bees, but we can take certain measures to help prevent an unwanted encounter. Want to steer clear of bee stings? Follow these tried and true tips!
- Avoid wearing floral and sweet perfumes when outdoors.
- Do not attempt to remove a nest on your own. Consult with a professional bee removal company if you find a hive or swarm on your property.
- If a bee is following you, resist the urge to swat. It is better to stay still and wait for the bee to move along.
- When eating outdoors, cover your food and any sweet beverages. Bees may enter soda cans and sting you in the mouth.
- Do not walk barefoot in the grass. Many bee species build their nests underground.
Bees Need to Be Respected
Bees play an essential role in our ecosystem and need to be respected and protected. Even if you think that bees are a nuisance, it’s vital that we take measures to protect ourselves and bees when we come in contact with each other. Now that you know why bees might be attracted to you and how to avoid a bee sting, we hope that you can stay safe while protecting our precious bee population.
If you have an unwanted bee swarm, hive or infestation on your property, call D-Tek Live Bee Removal of San Diego to learn how we can help remove your bee problem safely, humanely and affordably.
FAQs
You smell like sweat.
How do you get rid of bees chasing you? ›
Running Away
The best way to get away from killer bees is to run as fast as you possibly can away from the swarm. Run in a straight line as quickly as you can, away from the swarming killer bees. Continue to run for at least 100 yards (300 ft) or until the bees stop chasing you.
How do you stop bees from following you? ›
Run to shelter if attacked.
If there isn't a shelter nearby, keep running until the bees stop following you, as they will typically return to their hive once you're far enough away. Pull your shirt up over your face only if it does not slow you down. Do not enter a body of water unless you have no other choice.
What does it mean when a bee keeps following you? ›
Bees follow you because Sweat is sweet to bees.
Some bees are attracted to human sweat. Sounds gross, but it's true. These bees are usually metallic in color and rather small and harder to notice than their yellow and black counterparts. These bees can sting but aren't known for being aggressive towards humans.
Do bees come back after bee removal? ›
It is very common after a hive is removed for some bees to cluster around where the hive was because they were not in the hive during removal, these bees are called “stragglers”. And those straggler bees will only be there for a week or two before they either die or leave the site.
How do you force bees to leave? ›
To encourage the bees to leave, create a small smoky fire under the beehive. The bees will move and likely never come back. Make sure to move away when you start the fire: bees become very agitated and aggressive when smoked, and you don't want to be anywhere near them.
How do you encourage bees to leave? ›
Bees also have a distaste for lavender oil, citronella oil, olive oil, vegetable oil, lemon, and lime. These are all topical defenses you can add to your skin to keep bees away. Unlike other flying insects, bees are not attracted to the scent of humans; they are just curious by nature.
What repels bees instantly? ›
Citronella plants and oils can be used to deter bees so it makes sense that burning citronella candles would also work. These candles are easy to use and can be found at most grocery or hardware stores. They are effective against bees, wasps, and mosquitoes and work up to a certain range.
What scares bees away? ›
Peppermint, eucalyptus, citronella, and lemongrass may have certain properties that repel bees. Essential oils can be used in a variety of formats when mixed with water and witch hazel. Some people like to mix a few drops with water and apply their natural perfume with a spray bottle, while others prefer a rollerball.
What smell do bees hate? ›
There are several essential oils you can use to safely and effectively repel wasps. Peppermint oil on its own has been shown to act as a natural repellent for wasps and bees, or you can use a combination of clove, geranium, and lemongrass essential oils as a natural pest control method.
The bees don't interpret that fear as anything more than a threat, so they react accordingly, letting every other bee know that "something is up." Bees cannot literally smell fear, but if you are fearful, your body will release certain pheromones, which bees can detect as a threat.
Can bees remember who you are? ›
Bees are intelligent animals that likely feel pain, remember patterns and odors and even recognize human faces. They can solve mazes and other problems and use simple tools. Research shows that bees are self-aware and may even have a primitive form of consciousness.
Why is a bee trying to land on me? ›
Bees will sometimes land and rest on any available perch to rest, groom themselves, gather some salt or moisture from your sweat, or gain some warmth if that perch is in the sun.
What happens if you don't remove a bee hive? ›
Compounding issues. If you ignore the bee hive near the house and don't call a bee pest control company, the bee colony may split and form additional homes. Also, a new colony of bees may decide to take up residence near the house.
When should you remove bees? ›
If bees are being aggressive, stinging people and livestock and there is an immediate danger to human and animal life then it may, unfortunately be necessary to destroy the colony.
What happens to a bee hive if the queen is removed? ›
When a queen and her brood are absent from the hive for too long, worker bees will begin to lay eggs. Once this starts, it is very difficult to get the colony queenright again. A hive with laying workers typically kills any queen you might try to install.
What type of bee chases you? ›
Africanized honey bees are dangerous stinging insects that have been known to chase people for more than a quarter of a mile once they get excited and aggressive. This is why they earned the nickname “killer bee.”
What time of day are bees most aggressive? ›
Bees are usually more aggressive as the sun comes up and temperatures increase. That said, most bees are not aggressive unless they are agitated by someone of something. Of course, bees can become aggressive even at night if they are disturbed while they are resting.
