Should you bee alarmed? (Picture: Getty)
Sure, everybody loves a heatwave and a long, hot summer – but there’s always a downside. Such is life.
From sun poisoning to sleepless nights, there are some warmer weather drawbacks we’re used to. And then there are those we aren’t quite expecting.
Like… huge swarms of monster bees. That’s right. Reports suggest there are thousands of them swarming our way.
Oh honey, we’re in trouble. Or are we? Are there really swarms spreading across the country and just how dangerous can they be?
Why are there huge swarms of bees this summer?
Short answer – the heat.
The longer explanation, as shared with The Mirror, involves the recent hot weather causing the insects to swarm.
The swarms are so frequent this year because the groups of bees, each of up to 5,000 bugs, are leaving to form new colonies due to overcrowding, extremely hot conditions in hives and ageing Queen bees.
The busy bees are swarming as the hot weather causes overcrowding in nests (Picture: Getty)
Tim Vivian, member of the British Beekeepers Association, said: ‘It is a very swarmy season this year. I think it is like this for a number of reasons, including the weather, overcrowding in hives and the Queen bees getting old.’
Ageism, even in the insect kingdom.
He continued, ‘Temperatures this year have been particularly warm this year and all the bee workers in a hive are sisters or half-sisters so they’re closely related and so generally they are very similar. You could almost recognise it as a super organism of animals, but then some fly off with the Queen to start new colonies.’
Could these bee stings be fatal?
Again, the short answer is no – unless you have an allergy, of course. But then, any sting can be dangerous year-round.
These new swarms don’t present any new threats.
Sounds scary, but the bees aren’t presenting too much of a threat (Picture: Getty)
Vivian explained: ‘Swarming bees are generally placid because, although are around 5,000 there, they have no home to protect.’
And the only way it might prove fatal? If you get stung. A lot.
‘Typically, 200 beestings become fatal, so there is a very small chance it (a swarm) can become fatal.’
While thousands of bees sounds slightly like terrifying a concept, Vivian explained that ‘life without bees would soon become boring. A lot of our food is pollinated by bees and we don’t realise it. Apples, pears and citrus fruits rely on pollination from bees.’
How to avoid bee and wasp stings?
Sure, most bee stings aren’t fatal, but you still want to do your best to avoid one (for the bee’s sake, too, as they will die once they use the ol’ stinger).
Bees are generally placid, so stinging isn’t too much of a risk (Picture: Getty)
The Bee Aware allergy website advises certain steps to help minimise the chance of a nasty prick:
Stay still – bees and wasps will sting if you start thrashing around in panic. If one approaches, remain still and calm until it flies away
Avoid bright clothes (if you’re in areas of blooming nature) – bright colours are more likely to attract a wasp or a bee
Avoid heavy scents – similarly, sweeter perfumes and deodorants will be appealing to a stinger
Clean up your areas – if you’ve been cooking with the windows open, clean up so things don’t dry and attract insects
Shake out any outdoor items – if you’ve been enjoying a summer day, gently shake any picnic blankets, hoodies etc that have been on the ground. Bees might have landed on them for shelter.
MORE : Bees have become ‘increasingly stressed’ by climate change
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