Bumblebee & Honey Bee Facts (2024)

What Do Bumblebees Eat?:

Bumblebees eat pollen and nectar. Worker bees gather this from flowers and bring it back to the colony to feed to the other bees and to the larvae.

Where Do Bumblebees Live?:

Bumblebees live around patio areas, decks, attics, or under roof beams. But would it surprise you to know that bumblebees often instead nest in the ground?

If you see a hive in a tree, it is probably not bumblebees. But just like other bees, if they are disturbed, bumblebees will buzz loudly, and they will defend their nests. That means stings.

Can Bumblebees Harm You?:

The bumblebee sting is one of the most painful types of stings. Swelling and irritation can last for days after you are stung. Additionally, they can sting multiple times in a row, versus other bees that die after stinging.

Bumblebees will defend their nests if disturbed. They can chase nest invaders for long distances, following you until they attack.

What to Do If a Bumblebee is Near You:

Don’t panic when you see a bumblebee. Trying to squish it or shoo it away could cause it to sting you to protect itself. Instead, stay still and hope that it goes away.

If you see a number of bumblebees near you, observe from a safe distance and be sure to tell an adult. No one in your household should try to remove a bumblebee nest on their own. It’s better to contact a pest control professional who knows how to rid you of bumblebees safely. More information can be found about bumblebees and how to get rid of them at the official National Pest Management Association website.d be sure to tell an adult.

Also learn how to make a bumblebee bookmark and a paperplate bumblebee!

What Do Honey Bees Eat?:

Honey bees eat honey! They make honey from the pollen and nectar they collect from plants and bring back to their colony. They store the honey in honeycombs in their nests, which they use in the colder months.

Where Do Honey Bees Live?:

Honey bees typically live in tree crevices, but will occasionally build nests in attics or chimneys. Nests vary in size depending on how big the colony is.

How Do Honey Bees Impact Humans?:

Honey bees do sting. They can only sting once, but the stings can be extremely painful if the stinger is not immediately removed from the skin. People who are allergic to insect stings will have an even more severe reaction.

There is a chance that honey bees could build their nest in your home, likely somewhere high. This can pose a real threat if not immediately dealt with by a pest control professional.

What to Do If a Bumblebee is Near You:

Don’t panic or make sudden movements if you are near a honey bee. Yelling, moving suddenly, or trying to hit a bumblebee can actually cause it to sting you. Staying still might allow it to explore and then leave without issue.

If you find a nest in or near your home, contact a pest control professional immediately. You don’t want someone in your house trying to handle it on their own and getting hurt. You can visit the honey bee page of the official National Pest Management Association website to learn more.

What Do Carpenter Bees Eat?:

While carpenter bees are known for chewing wood, they don’t actually eat any of that wood. Like other bees, carpenter bees eat pollen and nectar from flowers and plants.

Where Do Carpenter Bees Live?:

Carpenter bees drill through and live in soft woods to lay eggs and protect their larvae as they develop. Female carpenter bees will chew a tunnel into a piece of wood to build a nest gallery. The bits of wood she chews and deposits outside the nest are called “frass”.

The tunnel openings usually look about one or two inches deep, but they can be up to 10 feet long! These tunnels usually have several rooms where the bees hold their eggs and food. It’s like little homes within your home! But while that’s certainly cool, it can also cause damage to your structure.

What Do Carpenter Bees Do to Humans?:

Carpenter bees are helpful to humans because they pollinate plants that can be ignored by honey bees, allowing for the spread of more pollen. However, drilling into the wood in your home is harmful to humans since it can potentially cause damage. Therefore, as soon as you see a carpenter bee, you want to make sure you tell a grown-up so they can call a pest control professional to make sure everything is safe.

What to Do If You See a Carpenter Bee:

The good news is, since carpenter bees like to be alone, seeing one doesn’t mean you have a hive in or near your home. But you still want to have a pest control professional inspect the area to make sure there aren’t any problems. You may want to study the bee, but be sure to keep a safe distance and avoid scaring it, since they do sting. You can learn more about carpenter bees at the official National Pest Management Association website.

What Do Killer Bees Eat?:

Like all bees, killer bees eat pollen and nectar from flowers and plants. They carry it from flower to flower and bring it home to their colonies.

Where Do Killer Bees Live?:

Killer bee colonies are fairly small. This allows them to build nests in some unique places. Killer bees can live inside tires, crates, boxes and empty cars.

What Does a Killer Bee Do to You?:

A single killer bee poses the same threat as a honey bee. They can sting you once, and the sting may be painful, but unless you have an allergy, there likely won’t be any serious or lasting concern. Where the greater risk comes in, especially those who are allergic, is that killer bees can attack in greater numbers, resulting in more stings.

What to Do If You Find Killer Bees:

If you see one, there’s a chance there are more. If you are chased by killer bees, run in a zigzag pattern and seek shelter in a house or car. Do not jump in the water! These bees can be very patient, and will wait around until you come up for air.

To learn more about Africanized killer bees or for information on how to get rid of killer bees in your home, review the additional information available on the Africanized killer bee page of the official National Pest Management Association website.