{"id":477,"date":"2020-06-20T16:25:39","date_gmt":"2020-06-20T15:25:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reviveabee.com\/?p=477"},"modified":"2024-01-05T15:29:09","modified_gmt":"2024-01-05T15:29:09","slug":"why-do-bees-die-if-they-sting-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reviveabee.com\/why-do-bees-die-if-they-sting-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Bees Die After They Sting You?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why do bees die if they sting you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A simple question with a not-so-simple answer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To begin with, not all species of bees sting; it’s only honeybees, bumblebees and carpenter bees that use a venomous stinger when defending themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s take a closer look at the common misconception that all bees die after stinging and the real story behind stinging bees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do All Bees After They Sting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The honeybee is the only type of bee to sacrifice itself when its barbed stinger penetrates human skin.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bumblebees and carpenter bees will both sting to defend themselves or their nests, but they rarely die for their efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, only female bees are equipped with the sting required to drive away potential predators and perceived threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*Interesting fact – While the queen honeybee can sting, the defence of the hive<\/a> and colony is left up to the worker bees; in the rare cases when queens have stung humans, they’ve reported considerably less painful stings when compared to stings from workers.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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why do bees die after stinging?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unlike the stingers of other bees and wasps, the honey bee’s sting comes equipped with two barbed lances that they inject into the unfortunate subject to deliver their venomous payload. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These barbed shafts can become stuck and detach from the bee’s abdomen,\u00a0leading to death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This carefully evolved weapon (scientifically known as a modified ovipositor apparatus) is perfect for fending off any potential insect intruders or honey thieves from the nest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This works so well because insects don’t have the same elastic skin as humans and most mammals allowing the attacking bee to dislodge its stinger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main issue arises when a bee stings either a human or animal with stretchy elastic skin; rather than dislodging; the skin will stretch and create resistance as the bee tries to pull away from the sting site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During this escape, the bee will tear away the part of its abdomen containing its sting chamber and venom sac, causing catastrophic and normally fatal injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does a bee die after it stings you?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It’s worth noting that some honeybees can successfully remove themselves after a sting by rotating their abdomens to effectively ‘unscrew’ their sting from the sting site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They normally need a few minutes to complete this, so you’ll need to deal with the pain briefly as they work themselves free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking for the perfect bee gift? Don’t miss our handy bee revival kit to help save tired, thirsty bees on the go! Get it over at Amazon below.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

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