8 Ways to Bee CAREFUL

Avoid and escape a relentless on slaught.

- Michael D'Angona

Strength in numbers is a clichéd expression, yet it’s still vitally important when discussing organisms that can possibly kill you on contact. The enemies in question are bees, and they can be one of the most underestimated adversaries you face in the great outdoors or even in your very own backyard.

Bees generally do not intend to seek and attack. Instead, they’re driven to mind their own business and focus on their mission: to collect pollen from nearby flowers and convert it to honey. However, things don’t always go as planned for bees just trying to do their jobs. They may find themselves without a queen for one reason or another, which can cause restlessness and, ultimately, extremely “bad” behavior. Bees can also have insufficient nectar from surrounding plants, which causes them to seek out other hives where they invade and loot. This creates hostilities between the two factions, and any humans, pets or other animals caught in the crossfire become collateral damage.

Environmental conditions can increase bee aggression. Rainy weather coupled with high heat and sticky humidity can make bees irritable and ready to take out their frustration on anything or anyone in their path. Finally, the odor of dead bees and honey can create a virtual battleground where wasps, hornets and yellow jackets enter the fray to collect the carcasses of fallen bees and honey. That convergence can create a dangerous situation for anyone nearby who’s unaware of the volatile situation unfolding.