Do Bumble Bees Sting? Are They Dangerous?
Short answer: the bumble bee can bite or sting, usually with mild, local effects. Bumble bees are gentle but can sting more than once if their nest is disturbed.
Risk rating: Can bite or sting
Bumble bees are gentle but can sting more than once if their nest is disturbed.
Are bumble bees dangerous to humans?
Bumble bees are gentle but can sting more than once if their nest is disturbed.
On our four-level scale, the bumble bee is rated can bite or sting, meaning it can bite or sting, usually with mild, local effects. Bumble Bees can sting, so it is worth handling them with care.
Are they dangerous to pets?
Bumble Bees can bite or sting curious pets that paw at them or try to eat them. Watch for swelling, drooling or limping, and call your veterinarian right away if your pet has trouble breathing or a large reaction.
Can they damage your home or garden?
Bumble Bees don't damage homes or gardens in any meaningful way.
What to do if you are stung
- Move away from the area to avoid more stings.
- If a stinger is left in the skin, scrape it out sideways with a fingernail or card.
- Wash with soap and water and apply a cold pack.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever or antihistamine if needed, following the label.
Call 911 right away if someone has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness or a racing heartbeat after a bite or sting.
How to identify bumble bees
A large, round, very hairy bee with black and yellow bands. It nests in the ground or old rodent burrows and pollinates tomatoes, blueberries and wildflowers.
- Plump, fuzzy body covered in dense hair
- Black and yellow, sometimes orange, bands
- Loud, low buzz and slow flight between flowers
| Scientific name | Bombus spp. |
|---|---|
| Group | Bees & Wasps |
| Size | 10–25 mm (up to about 0.98 in) |
| Colors | Black and Yellow |
| Legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | Yes |
| Where found | Garden or plants |
| Most active | Spring, Summer and Fall |
| Bites | No |
| Stings | Yes |
| Risk level | Can bite or sting |
When you'll see bumble bees
Bumble Bees are most active in spring, summer and fall. In spring, overwintering adults become active and many species lay their first eggs. Summer heat speeds up development, so populations can grow quickly. In fall, many bugs look for shelter, and some move toward or into buildings.
Typical places to check: garden or plants.
About bees & wasps
The bumble bee is one of the bees & wasps. Bees and wasps belong to the same order as ants. Social species such as honey bees, bumble bees, yellowjackets and hornets live in colonies with a queen, while solitary species such as mud daubers and cicada killers raise their young alone. Only females can sting, because the stinger is a modified egg-laying tube.
Social wasp colonies grow all summer and are largest and most defensive in late summer and early fall. Most colonies die off in winter, leaving only new queens to start over in spring.
How to avoid problems with bumble bees
You don't need to control bumble bees. If one is in the way, gently move it outdoors with a cup and a piece of paper. Bumble bees are gentle but can sting more than once if their nest is disturbed.
Frequently asked questions
Do bumble bees bite?
No. Bumble bees are gentle but can sting more than once if their nest is disturbed.
Do bumble bees sting?
Yes, they can sting.
Are bumble bees poisonous?
The bumble bee can bite or sting, usually with mild, local effects. Bumble bees are gentle but can sting more than once if their nest is disturbed.
Where do bumble bees live?
Bumble Bees are usually found in gardens and on plants, and are most active in spring, summer and fall.