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Opinions are divided on whether a bumblebee can sting or bite. The answer is simple: you can do both. However, bumblebees only use their mouthparts and stingers when they feel threatened.
In a nutshell
- Bumblebees are peaceful insects
- Workers and queen carry a spike for self-defense
- It's best to leave animals alone
- Sting is considered dangerous only for those allergic to insects
bumblebees
Bumblebees (Bombus) are social insects. As with bees or wasps, there is a queen, workers and drones (“males”). However, only the female animals have a so-called defense spike, which is only used for defense. However, this does not get stuck like that of the bees, but bumblebees can pull the sting out again and, if necessary, sting with it again.
Are bumblebees dangerous?
Stinger of the (female) bumblebee in close-up
The bumblebee is considered a peace-loving insect. Nevertheless, when stinging, toxins enter the human body, which provokes an allergic reaction and, in any case, swelling. In addition, a bumblebee sting can lead to suffocation, for example when bumblebees use their stingers in the mouth and throat, as the swelling blocks the windpipe.
Tip: In summer, when drinking from opaque cups, bottles or cans, you should check in advance whether a bumblebee has gotten into the drinking vessel.
When does the bumblebee sting?
Workers sting when there is a threat to themselves or the nest where their colony resides. From the perspective of the insects, this includes scenarios such as:
- handle at the entrance of the nest
- Closing the nest entrance
- handle animals
bumblebee nest
However, the bumblebee can also perceive other situations as threatening, such as:
- wild gestures (to scare away the insect)
- step on the animal (e.g. on the meadow in summer)
- accidental entanglement with clothing (e.g. while gardening)
However, bumblebees do not sting immediately when they feel threatened, but warn their enemies. So the insect raises its middle leg in warning. If this is not enough, the bumblebee starts to growl loudly, turns on its back and stretches its abdomen with a stinger towards the enemy as a threatening gesture. Once in this defensive position, you should leave the insect alone, because the bumblebee is now ready to sting.
Notice: Some bumblebees also bite before they sting. The mouthparts are also used when the insect gets caught in the hair.
frequently asked Questions
When does the queen bumblebee fly?The earliest queens fly from March. As a rule, the young queen bumblebee leaves her winter quarters when the temperatures are above freezing and the sun is warming the ground.
As a non-allergic person, how can I treat a bumblebee sting?You should cool the sting and treat it with an anti-histamine ointment to counteract the swelling.
Can the sting pierce human skin?Yes, when the bumblebee stings, you have to reckon with the sting getting under your skin.