What To Do During a Bee Attack
A serious bee attack can escalate in seconds.
If you get stung by one bee, it may be an isolated sting and may not be an attack. If you are stung by more than one bee, the situation is on a whole different level.
If you get stung more than once, do not wait to see what happens. Leave the area immediately and fast. You do not have time to waste. When a highly defensive colony feels its home is threatened, bees may follow the intruder up to one-half mile, so keep moving.
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Why They Attack
Honey bees are not attacking because they are evil or because they are looking for a person to hurt.
A defensive colony is defending its home. That home may be inside a tree, wall, shed, tire, meter box, irrigation box, brush pile, or other cavity. The colony is protecting its queen, brood, comb, and nest area.
The problem is that a highly defensive colony can respond with thousands of bees. To the bees, they are driving away a threat. To a person, pet, worker, or responder, that defense can become life-threatening very quickly.
You Cannot Fight Thousands of Bees
A small wasp nest may only have 10 or 15 wasps. An established honey bee colony can have thousands of bees.
If a defensive colony attacks, you cannot fight them off. You cannot swat them away. You cannot stand your ground. Multiple stings can create a life-threatening situation in seconds.
The first priority is escape.
Get Indoors or Into a Vehicle If You Can
If a building or enclosed vehicle is close enough to reach quickly, get inside.
A vehicle is one of the best escape options when it is available. Get in, close the door, and move away from the colony area if you can do so safely.
If other people are with you, especially children, elderly people, disabled people, or anyone who cannot move quickly, help get them into the vehicle or building with you if you can do so immediately.
If There Is No Building or Enclosed Vehicle
Sometimes there is no house, enclosed truck, or safe building nearby.
This can happen to ranch workers, farmers, tree trimmers, fencing crews, brush-clearing crews, hunters, utility workers, and others working far from shelter.
If you cannot get indoors or into an enclosed vehicle, keep moving away from the colony area as fast as you can. Do not stop close to the nest area. Put distance between yourself and the colony.
Cover your face and head as best you can while moving. Bees often target the face, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and head. Keep your mouth closed as much as possible while escaping.
If you are with someone who cannot move quickly, help them get away from the colony area as fast as possible.
If Bees Get Inside the Vehicle
Bees may enter the vehicle with you. That is still usually safer than remaining outside in the attack area.
If bees are inside the vehicle, lower one window only about one-half inch, roughly the width of a fat pencil. Bees inside the vehicle will move toward the window and try to get out through that small opening.
Other bees may gather on the outside of the window, but they are not likely to enter a small opening into a strange cavity while in attack mode if the opening is less than an inch.
Keep the opening small. Do not roll the window down farther while you are still near the colony or attack area, because a larger opening will allow more bees to enter.
Once you are away from the danger area, you can open windows or doors more fully when it is safe.
Do Not Go Back During Daylight Without Protection
Once you are safely away from the attack area, do not go back unprotected during daylight hours.
A defensive colony may remain dangerous and in attack mode for several days after the initial incident, and others may be attacked if they enter the area during the day without proper protective bee gear.
If you need to recover belongings, check on pets or livestock, move equipment, or inspect the area, wait until dark or call a qualified professional.
After dark, bees cannot see well enough to fly. If you return after dark, use a red light. Do not use a white flashlight near the colony area, because bees may come toward the light.
Protective Gear Can Matter
Most people do not carry a bee veil with them.
But people who regularly work outdoors in rural areas should consider keeping basic protective gear available, especially if they work around trees, brush, old equipment, sheds, barns, tires, irrigation boxes, abandoned items, or other places where bees may nest.
This is especially worth considering for:
- Farm and ranch workers
- Mowing crews
- Tree trimmers
- Fencing crews
- Utility workers
- Brush-clearing crews
- Pest-control workers
- First responders
A simple bee veil does not make someone invincible, and it is not a reason to approach a dangerous colony. But face and head protection can make a major difference if someone must move through an area where bees are present or assist after an attack.
Call for Help Once Safe
Once you are safely away from the bees, call for help.
Warn other people to stay away from the area. Keep children, pets, livestock, workers, and bystanders away until the colony can be evaluated or removed by someone properly protected.
Do not assume the danger is over just because the first person escaped.
Key Message
You do not have time to waste.
You cannot fight thousands of bees.
Get out. Get shelter if you can. If there is no shelter, keep moving away from the colony area. Protect your face and head. Do not go back during daylight without protective gear.