In this article:
Do Sweat Bees Sting or Bite?
For starters:
No, sweat bees don’t bite.
That said, there are a few reports of sweat bees biting or “pinching,” but those are rare. If anything, bees are more likely to sting, which brings us to our next point…
Do sweat bees sting?
Yes, sweat bees can sting if they feel threatened.
But here’s the kicker:
Only female sweat bees can sting. Male bees can’t sting because they don’t have stingers.
Wait, what? Male bees don’t have stingers?
Yes, you read that right.
A female bee’s stinger is actually a modified ovipositor, an organ used to lay eggs. And since male bees were never intended to lay eggs, they don’t have ovipositors.
But while female sweat bees can sting, they’re unlikely to do so. These bees are passive-natured and generally harmless.
And here’s the thing:
A sweat bee’s sting is the least painful of all stinging insects, according to the Schmidt Sting Pain Index.(1)
Do Sweat Bees Die After Stinging?
No, sweat bees don’t die after stinging. This is because they don’t have barbed stingers like honeybees do.
To put it simply?
When a honeybee stings you, her stinger gets pulled out of her abdomen and lodged into your skin. Unfortunately, this is a death sentence for honeybees because their stingers are attached to their organs.
So once a honeybee flies away, both its stinger and internal organs get pulled out. This kills the bee instantly.
Now here’s a fact that might surprise you:
Honeybees are the only bees that die after stinging. Other bees, like sweat bees, bumblebees, and carpenter bees, can sting multiple times without dying.
The truth, though?
Most bees are gentle. Their nature is different from wasps and hornets, which tend to be more territorial and defensive.
Bees usually go about their own business and avoid trouble.
What Does a Sweat Bee Sting Look Like?
I’ll shoot straight with you:
Sweat bee stings are very mild. You may not even have a reaction.
According to the Schmidt Sting Pain Index, a sweat bee’s sting is the least painful of all stinging insects.(1)
So what does a sweat bee sting look like?
Its appearance can vary between people, but you may notice a small pink or red spot around the sting site.
Keep in mind:
Sweat bees are tiny in comparison to honeybees or bumblebees. In fact, you may not even notice sweat bees since they range in length from 3 – 10 millimeters (about the size of a fly).
More importantly?
Sweat bees don’t have barbed stingers like honeybees do, so they won’t leave a stinger behind in your skin. If anything, you may feel a slight sting with a small pink spot left behind.
In most people, any redness will disappear within a few hours.
What Are Sweat Bees, Exactly?
“Sweat bee” is actually the common name for a family of bees called Halictidae.
Some, but not all, sweat bees have metallic bodies like this:
They look pretty cool, right?
But, they sometimes get mistaken for flies because of their size. As for color, sweat bees are usually black or green, but you’ll sometimes find them in shades of blue or purple.
Now get this:
Sweat bees are the second most common type of bee in the world. There are a whopping 4,500 species of sweat bees worldwide.
That’s not all, though.
Sweat bees are valuable pollinators for many crops. They regularly pollinate sunflowers, pears, apples, peaches, plums, and alfalfa.
In other words?
We need these handy little pollinators to help provide us with food. But, now that brings us to the elephant in the room:
Why are they called “sweat” bees?
Good question.
The name “sweat bee” came about originally from insects that fly after sweaty people outdoors, trying to land on human skin to sip on sweat for salt and minerals.
Think about it like this:
Sweat bees supplement their diet with salts in the same way that cows visit salt licks or athletes drink electrolyte beverages.
It’s also not uncommon to see deer, sheep, goats, and even elephants visit natural salt resources to get the minerals they need like zinc, iron, phosphorus, calcium, and sodium.
Sweat bees are no different.
Unfortunately, this means that sweat bees can get annoying during hot days.
Maybe you just want to enjoy your time outside or tend to your garden in peace. Then here come the sweat bees.
The good news?
There are natural ways to deter sweat bees. But more on those in a bit.
Now don’t get me wrong:
Sweat bees don’t only feed on sweat. They eat pollen and nectar like other bees do, which is what makes them important pollinators.
So what’s the best way to deter sweat bees?
Simple.
Insect repellent will do the trick since they dislike the scent. Also, using a mint essential oil works for the same reason as an insect repellent – sweat bees don’t like the smell.
However, be cautious about using potent fragrances and oils around your pets.
Animals have a powerful sense of smell, and some oils and fragrances can be toxic to them. Before handling your animals, make sure your clothing and skin have been cleaned to remove any essential oils or insect repellent.
FAQs on “Do Sweat Bees Sting?”
- Do sweat bees sting dogs?
- Do sweat bees sting cats?
- Do sweat bee stings hurt?
- How do I treat a sweat bee sting?
- Can sweat bees sting more than once?
- Why do sweat bees land on you?
- How long do sweat bee stings last?
- Do sweat bees sting for no reason?
- Do male sweat bees sting?
- Do sweat bees stings itch?
- Do sweat bees lose their stinger?
- Do green sweat bees sting?
Do sweat bees sting dogs?
Sweat bees can sting dogs, but they’re unlikely to do so unless they feel threatened.
In most cases, your dog won’t feel a sweat bee sting because their fur will shield them from their tiny stingers.
That said, some dogs enjoy chasing and biting at bees or wasps. Sweat bees don’t typically pose a large threat because they’re so tiny, but they may sting if they end up in your dog’s mouth.
The good news is that sweat bee stings usually won’t cause a severe reaction in your dog. The area might be slightly irritated for a few hours, but the symptoms quickly subside.
But, if you notice swelling or irritation, contact your vet right away.
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Do sweat bees sting cats?
Sweat bees are more likely to sting cats than they are dogs.
How come?
Because cats are more attracted to insects and bees’ movement, so they’re more likely to chase a sweat bee.
But, sweat bees are fast and small, so they’re more likely to fly away from cats than sting them. The exception might be if your cat tries to bite a sweat bee. In this case, the bee may sting the inside of your cat’s mouth.
Fortunately, sweat bee stings aren’t typically severe. There may be slight redness or tenderness around the sting site for a few hours, but symptoms usually disappear within a day.
If you notice your cat has a swelling reaction from a bee sting, reach out to your vet immediately.
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Do sweat bee stings hurt?
The sting is very mild for most and only lasts a second or two. Sweat bee stings are rated a “level one” on the Schmidt Sting Pain Index, which means the pain is light.
In case you don’t know, Dr. Justin Schmidt, entomologist, founded the Schmidt Sting Pain Index to determine how painful insect stings were.(1)
Dr. Schmidt subjected himself to insect bites and stings for over a decade, writing about his experiences in his index.
Of course, Schmidt didn’t plan on becoming an insect sting/bite expert when he began his profession. But he later found himself specializing in bees, wasps, and their relatives like ants.
Collecting specimens in the field quickly exposed him to a wide range of painful nips, jabs, and defensive tactics. He amassed a scale of over 70 different stings, ranging from the light (rated 1) to the excruciating (rated 4).
So what happens if you get stung by a sweat bee?
Usually, nothing major. Give it a few minutes, and you’ll no longer feel it. You might experience some pinkness around the sting site, but that should disappear within a few hours.
The only exception is if you’re allergic to bee stings. If you have severe allergies like anaphylaxis, you may need to visit medical services immediately.
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How do I treat a sweat bee sting?
Thankfully, learning how to treat a sweat bee sting is pretty straightforward for most.
For mild reactions, try these home treatments:
- Use an ice cube or a cold, wet towel to cool the area
- Take over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
- To relieve itching and swelling, apply calamine lotion
- To relieve discomfort, itching, and swelling, apply a paste made of baking soda and water to the sting site
- Place a vinegar-soaked cloth on the sting site or soak the area in a bowl of vinegar
- Wet an aspirin tablet and rub the paste on the bee sting spot
If your swelling and redness don’t improve, or if they get worse, you should visit a doctor. They may provide a topical or oral anti-inflammatory drug like a steroid.
For severe and allergic reactions:
A doctor may prescribe other therapies in addition to an EpiPen injection if the sweat bee sting caused a more severe reaction. These include:
- Oxygen that’s given to you through a mask to help you breathe
- An antihistamine drug will help to reduce an allergic response
- Hydrocortisone skin cream to reduce swelling, itching, and redness
- Cortisone (steroid) drugs to help ease irritation
- A beta-agonist like albuterol to help encourage better breathing
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Can sweat bees sting more than once? How many times do sweat bees sting?
Yes, sweat bees can sting multiple times, but that’s rare. Sweat bees are gentle bees that aren’t territorial. They’ll only sting if they feel threatened.
To deter sweat bees, apply insect repellent to your clothes and body. You can also spray on some mint essential oil while you’re outside.
That said, be careful about using potent scents around your pets.
Animals have a strong sense of smell, and certain oils and scents can be toxic to pets. Before touching your pets, wash your clothes and body where you’ve applied oil or insect repellent.
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Why do sweat bees land on you?
First, we have to answer the question, “What are sweat bees attracted to?”
They’re attracted to perspiration.
Why? Because they get salt and minerals from it.
The term “sweat bee” was coined for insects that pursue sweaty people outside, attempting to land on human skin to drink sweat.
Consider it this way:
Cows supplement their diet with salt licks, and athletes supplement theirs with electrolyte beverages.
Deer, sheep, goats, and even elephants have been seen at natural salt licks found in nature to obtain the minerals they require, such as zinc, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and sodium.
Sweat bees are no different.
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How long do sweat bee stings last?
The pain is light and only lasts a few seconds. Any irritation such as redness should be gone within a few hours.
The only exception is if you’re severely allergic to bee stings. In that case, seek medical help if necessary.
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Do sweat bees sting for no reason?
No, bees, in general, don’t sting for no reason. They mainly sting if they feel threatened or if their nest/hive is in danger.
But let’s face it.
Bees get a bad rap. They aren’t as aggressive as most people think. They typically mind their business and prefer to be left alone.
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Do male sweat bees sting?
No, male sweat bees don’t have stingers. Only the female sweat bees have stingers. However, sweat bees are unlikely to sting due to their peaceful disposition.
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Do sweat bees stings itch?
There may be some mild itching for up to a few hours after the sting. If the itching persists after 24 hours, you may need to apply an anti-itch cream to the area.
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Do sweat bees lose their stinger?
“Do sweat bees leave a stinger in you?” is a common question.
The answer is no. Sweat bees don’t leave their stingers behind like honeybees do. In fact, honeybees are the only bees with barbed stingers that get hooked into the skin.
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Do green sweat bees sting?
Yes, they will if they feel the need to defend themselves. That said, sweat bees don’t generally sting people because they’re docile.
