Quickly Identify Unusual Bee Behavior and Respond Appropriately. These are essential tips to help you avoid a bee swarm attack.
Do Not Wave Your Arms to Drive Away Bees
According to Dr. Justin O. Schmidt, an entomologist specializing in insects and arthropods, most people lack the proper knowledge on how to escape from a swarm of bees.
Our instinctive reaction when approached by bees is to wave our hands or swing an object at them to shoo them away.
Bee venom can be deadly (Photo: Getty).
Unfortunately, for bees, this action does not signal “go away.” In fact, it resembles the behavior of a large predator about to attack them.
If there is a hive nearby, you are in danger, as bees tend to protect their nests.
“Do not do that,” Schmidt emphasizes. “Bees feel threatened, and their natural response is to swarm towards you to protect their queen.”
It also does not help to kill a bee. This act will release a “alarm pheromone,” summoning other bees to the scene to investigate.
Run and Hold Your Breath
Bears do not always attack. But if they do, you need to recognize and respond promptly (Photo: Getty).
So, if we cannot resist them, what should we do?
According to guidelines from Saguaro National Park, part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, if a swarm of bees perceives you as a predator, they will first send a few worker bees to convey a warning message.
Their behavior resembles “head-butting” you. Experts indicate that when you see bees doing this, it is not random.
If you receive this message, immediately leave the area, as the next thing that may happen is a full-scale attack from the swarm.
In fact, for bees, your most primal instinct—running—is always correct.
“Do not hesitate to run; do not fight back,” Dr. Schmidt advises. “All your efforts will only attract hundreds of other bees.”
Dr. Schmidt also notes that the primary sense of bees is their sense of smell, meaning they navigate through scents.
Taking advantage of this, you can avoid being in the “sights” of bees by holding your breath.
“If you hold your breath, you can temporarily blind them. Seize the opportunity to escape,” Dr. Schmidt suggests.
The Dangers of Bees
According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2000 and 2017, there were a total of 1,109 fatalities in the U.S. due to hornets, wasps, and bee stings, averaging 62 deaths per year.
The number of fatalities ranged from a low of 43 in 2001 to a high of 89 in 2017, with approximately 80% of the victims being men.
The venom from bees can kill an adult primarily due to anaphylactic shock.
This occurs when the immune system releases a large amount of mediators to counteract the venom. This body’s response can cause shock and potentially threaten life.
According to statistics from various regions worldwide, the rate of anaphylaxis in Europe is about 4-5 cases per 10,000 people, while in the U.S., it is 58.9 cases per 100,000 people.
Vietnam does not have specific statistical data, but there have been many reported cases of fatalities due to anaphylaxis.
