9 Common Misconceptions About Bees

Bees are some of the most important creatures in the plant and animal kingdom. However, they tend to get a bad reputation from us for various reasons—some forms of mass media portray them as vindictive bugs that love to sting, driving up the fear factor. Some people also only associate bees with honeybees when there are over 20,000 species of bees worldwide!

Sadly, these misconceptions have led to a decrease in the bee population over the years. It’s important to get rid of these misconceptions and understand the bees’ important role in the ecosystem.

Here is a list of common misconceptions about bees!

1. All Bees Sting

In a hive, not all bees can sting. Stingers are modified egg-laying devices, so really, only the females can sting. Additionally, despite their ability to sting, these female bees are hesitant to do so—they only do it when they feel they’re being threatened.

There are also a couple of species of bees that physically cannot sting. They are aptly called stingless bees and instead chomp on their enemies when they’re being threatened.

Speaking as an expert on bee and wasp removal, you’re more likely to get stung by a wasp than a bee.

2. All Bees Only Sting Once

Honeybees can repeatedly sting other insects easily, but stinging humans is a different story entirely. That’s because human skin is a lot thicker and denser, making it difficult for the stingers to pierce through. When bees sting humans, their stings get lodged into the skin and ripped off. This is fatal to the bee, and the bee will die soon afterward.

Other species of bees can sting more than once, but you have to remember again that they only ever sting when they’re in defensive mode. If you’re getting stung repeatedly by bees, you’re probably not heeding their warning and leaving their territory.

3. All Bees Work Very Hard

You’ve probably heard about the ‘busy bee’, a hard and skilled worker with barely any time for rest. People assume all bees maintain the hive, fly around in search of pollen, and make honey all day. And while that certainly is true for most of the female worker bees, the same can’t be said for the males and the queen bee!

The male bees’ (drones) only duty in the hive is to impregnate the queen bee. Once there are enough eggs in the colony, male bees are essentially useless because they don’t do anything else. In fact, females tend to kick the males out of the hive during the winter season as they’re extra mouths to feed with limited resources. Harsh, huh?

Meanwhile, queen bees only have to lay eggs in the hive. Most of the time, they’re being fed and taken care of by the worker bees, so they don’t even have to move around as often. Queen bees live a relatively pampered life.

4. All Bees Live in Hives

Surprisingly, not all bees are social and live in a hive. Most of them are solitary and live alone in nooks and crannies with no queen bees to care for. Despite this, they play a very important role in the pollination of flowering plants and other fruits and vegetable plants.

Additionally, because they don’t have a hive or food storage to take care of, they’re less aggressive. They will only sting if they are physically in danger, like being stepped on or being swatted at. So, the next time you see a solitary bee, spend some time watching them from a distance. It could use a friend!

5. All Bees Produce Honey

All honey comes from bees, but not all bees produce them—less than 5% of the total bee population makes honey. Honey usually comes from honeybees, though it can also be produced by stingless bees and bumblebees too. This amount, however, is not nearly enough for human consumption. For example, you’ll probably only get a maximum of one to two teaspoons of honey in a season from bumblebees.

6. Bees Don’t Sting at Night

Bees are a lot like humans—they like to head home for the evening after a long, busy day being a bee and cozy up in their hives. However, that doesn’t mean they won’t sting you! They can just be as aggressive during the night in protecting their resources from danger, so don’t listen to anybody that tells you transporting bees at night is the way to go.

7. Bees Avoid Your House If There are No Flowers Nearby

Bees don’t necessarily have to live near flowering plants. That’s because they can fly anywhere within a three-mile radius in search of flowers. If your house has a comfortable spot for them to nestle in and create a hive, there’s not much you can do to stop it besides hiring a bee removal in Orange County.

8. If You Seal Bees In, You Kill Them

Make no mistake, bees can be pretty cunning! If they’ve taken residence in your home and you seal the entrance, they’ll do everything they can to get out, even if it means chewing through solid wood and drywall! Not only will have you a swarm of angry bees on the loose, but you’ll also have annoying home repairs to deal with.

Again, it’s a much better idea to leave bee removal to the experts. Why not plug “bee removal near me” on Google?

9. Bees and Wasps are the Same

Bees, wasps—they both fly, and they both sting. They’re technically the same, aren’t they?

Wrong. There are a couple of ways you can differentiate a bee from a wasp.

First off, wasps are much brighter in color. Whereas bees tend to be more orange in color, wasps are a bright yellow that can easily be discerned.

Secondly, bees are fluffier and have a rounder shape. This allows them to collect more pollen on their fluff and buzz happily from flower to flower. Wasps, on the other hand, evolved for aerodynamics—they are carnivorous creatures that capture other insects with their innate build for speed.

Lastly, wasps have a smoother stinger, allowing them to sting us more than once, unlike the honeybee. Ouch.

Which Country Has the Highest Bee Population?

If you're a fan of bees, then you might be wondering which country has the most of them. Well, according to recent data, it looks like China is home to the largest number of bees in the world, which in addition has the largest human population of any country in the world (1.4 billion in 2020). That's right - this Asian country has a total of nearly 44 million bee colonies! That's a whole lot of buzz...and honey! That probably means there is a high demand for bee and wasp removal within the nation. Although we may be far, far away from China, we were interested to delve into this topic for ourselves and share what we found with our loyal customers!

China's high bee population is attributed to its rich land and diverse environments. The country is home not only to the panda bear but also to many other animals that are threatened or even considered endangered including tigers! The climate in China makes it a perfect habitat for bees because of the vast and ample environment that exists in many parts of the country. In addition to that, there are low labor costs within the country, which makes it easier for farmers to use bees for crop pollination.

Because of this, the Chinese honey industry is estimated to be worth about $2.5 billion when converted to U.S. currency - and it's growing rapidly. In 2020 alone, China exported around $254 million worth of honey to the United States. In fact, the vast majority of honey sold in the United States is imported from China, but very little of that is actually inspected by the FDA. There are concerns about the quality and safety of Chinese honey, as well as its possible role in causing colony collapse disorder among bees. Despite these concerns, imports of Chinese honey continue to increase.

Interestingly enough, bees are also a symbol of good luck and happiness in China. In some parts, it's tradition for people to keep bees as pets or even wear them on their bodies; this is because the insects have been given many different names that mean “lucky,” among many others! The situation gets weirder - one culture will use these flying creatures while another could view them with fear if they're not properly trained about their danger: either way you look at things there seems little hate between both sides when considering how much work goes into keeping up such massive populations alive without human interference.

The high bee population in China is a testament to the work that has been done by Chinese scientists and researchers. It is also an indication of the importance of bees in the ecosystem. The government and people of China must continue to support bee research so that this trend continues, and the country can maintain its position as a global leader in honey production. In the meantime, if you are in need of a local bee and wasp removal near you, then look no further than Bee Man Buzz! We have been in business for 45 years and we are more than qualified to get the job done for you. We are the most trusted bee and wasp removal in Orange County, and we want to serve you, as well!

The Bee and Wasp Removal Professionals Explain What It Means for Bees to Swarm

When bees swarm, it's a natural process. However, that doesn't make it less stressful for customers requesting bee and wasp removal. The area where the honey bee swarm occurs is very frightening, particularly if they are hovering close to your home or business. 

 

Although a swarm can leave you dazed and amazed, it is certainly an impressive sight to witness. A bee swarm involves tens of thousands of bees clustered together for a short time while they look for a new home. It's amazing!

 

The professionals handling bee removal near me inform us that swarming usually happens in the springtime when the weather is warmer, and the flowers start to bloom since there's a lot of activity occurring in the hive. As a matter of fact, swarming is honey bee behavior that happens when the colony is growing too large for their living quarters. 

 

Why do honey bees swarm?

 

All honey bee colonies do the same thing, and that's to make more bees. When a colony gets too big, it will divide in half. One half will stay in the hive with the new queen, while the other half will create a swarm with the old queen. 

 

Scout bees are specialized worker bees that have the task of finding a new headquarters for half of the hive. Before half the hive leaves, scout bees will search for a new nesting place. They will come back to the hive with information about the location. 

 

When do honey bees swarm?

Swarms usually happen in the springtime because the temperature is warmer and the flowers start to bloom. Nevertheless, swarming honey bees can also be seen in the summertime or even in the early fall. 

When the bees have left the hive, they will usually go somewhere close by. 

 

Are swarming bees a threat?

Even though a swarm of honey bees can come across as aggressive, swarming bees are usually nothing to worry about. Similar to other honey bees, they can become aggressive if bothered. Swarms are usually laid-back for a few reasons.

 

Firstly, they want to keep their energy for their journey to the new nesting location. To attack a human needs a lot of energy and becomes a challenge for them to survive the swarm. 

Also, swarms are easy-going since they're not protecting a hive or other resources such as larvae or honey. In many instances, honey bees act hostile when they're defending their nest and babies. 

 

What should you do if you come face to face with a swarm?

If you feel it's best to contact expert bee removal technicians, it's a good start. Although swarming bees are normally nothing to worry about, they become aggressive when bothered. Additionally, it can be very dangerous if the swarm decides to hang around the entrance of your home, garage, or any other place where someone has to enter and exit a building. 

 

If you have any questions about a swarm or the location of a hive, get in touch with the expert bee and wasp removal technicians at The Bee Man. 

 

Why Bees Are Important To Us

The bee and wasp removal professionals near Orange County tell us a very well-known fact that seventy-five percent of global crops rely on the pollination of animals, especially bees. In reality, the production of pollinator-dependent crops in the U.S. is estimated at over $50 billion per year! The wasp removal company claims bees are perhaps the most important pollinators for crops and wild plants. 

Most of the food production carried out in the United States depends on the European honey bee, a non-native species, for pollination. Honey bees provide $15 billion in pollination services to North American crops every year. Nevertheless, relying on this one species creates the risk of a predator, parasite, and pathogen development. 

The bee and wasp exterminators company near Orange County explains that managed honey bee colonies slumped 59% from 1949 to 2007, and they probably can’t support our agricultural requirements in the future. Since native bees are not influenced by the same pests and diseases that affect honey bees, they are essential for crop production. Native bees can substitute or change the pollination of crops by honey bees in the United States, yet, half of the native bee species are reducing, and one-quarter are in danger of extinction. To maintain our cherished food supply and biodiversity, we have to protect native bees. 

Native bees supply over three billion dollars in pollination services to the United States every year. Research carried out on crop pollination by honey bees and native bees in New Jersey, and Pennsylvania revealed that wild bee species, on average, plunk down more pollen per visit than honey bees. Other studies show that native bees alone were enough to pollinate watermelon crops of up to ninety-one present. Another study revealed that wild or native pollinators encouraged the fruit set, the proportion of a plant’s flowers that develop into mature fruits, by twice that of honeybees. Wild insects allowed for better-quality pollination than honey bees in this research.

In 2020, further studies report that wild bees deposited 1.5 to 2 times more pollen per visit than honey bees for apple and tart cherry crops, even though honey bee visitation rates were higher. 

Even though the bee removal experts near Orange County understand that native bees are crucial to agriculture and are dropping in numbers, the media unfairly reports the downturn of honey bees when they should be bringing attention to the tight situation that native bees are currently in. 

For the most part, the public doesn’t know much about native bees in general, but they consider bees a critical factor in the environment. 

There are a few things you can do to do your part to help native bees. For instance, planting native plants in gardens will give bees a source of nectar and pollen and will also help specialist native bees who only feed on particular native plants. Furthermore, native plants should be a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes to keep diversity and attract various bee species. Always make sure that a plant is flourishing throughout the year since different bee species are active at other times. 

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The Bee Man Tells Us How to Prevent Honey Bee Stings

There is no need for a bee and wasp removal company to tell you that bee stings are no one’s idea of a good time. Although the pain from a bee sting doesn’t last for a long time, it surely is something you want to try to avoid. That’s why the bee removal company in Orange County is going to arm us with some extra knowledge and preparation, so we can take the necessary precautions to prevent bee stings from occurring in the first place. 

Don’t Walk Bare Foot In Grass

 Although you may not think about it, grassy areas can be covered in bees! Keep in mind that some species of bees even nest in the ground. Other honey bees may be scouring on the flowering dandelions and clovers. So, if you plan to walk in your yard or in a park barefoot, this bee and wasp removal company recommends you wear your shoes because you have a high risk of encountering a bee. When a bee senses danger, it can become aggravated and sting. So, make sure to wear shoes or other foot coverings to protect your feet when trekking on grassy areas. 

Don’t Bother Hives

Experts in bee and wasp removal don’t have to tell you, but just to make sure you know - you should never bother a beehive. Overall, bees are very laid-back and do not sting unless they have been provoked. Try not to swat, spray or in any other way irritate a beehive. These actions will annoy a beehive or swarm, so it is advisable to leave them alone. If the bees are situated in an inconvenient or dangerous place, contact your local 

This should go without saying, but if you bother a honey bee hive, they may decide to pick a fight with you. In general, honey bees are docile and do not sting unless they’ve been aggravated. Try not to swat, spray, or even aggravate beehives. This action will surely agitate the bees and may encourage them to attack you. If you see a beehive or swarm, it is best to leave them alone. Call your local live bee removal experts if the bees are in an inconvenient or dangerous location.

Safeguard Your Outdoor Picnics

Having a BBQ or a pleasant picnic in the park can be very enjoyable, but they can also bring honey bees. Honey bees, which are looking for nectar, are attracted to foods and sugary drinks. If you are going to eat outdoors, make sure to bring coverings for your food containers. Do not leave open soda cans unattended. Bees and wasps are notorious for entering cans and can result in a big surprise when you go for your next sip. Ouch!

Be A Clean Eater

Bees and wasps are attracted to food when eating outdoors. Besides covering your food, you should avoid sticky fingers and clothing. Children, especially, can cause a lot of mess while eating. Make sure to wipe their hands, face and change their clothing so that the food smells do not bring around bees.