The 101 on Sweat Bees

Although you may not necessarily see them, A B Pest Control and Insulation knows sweat bees are out and about. Sweat bees pollinate flowers across the world. These smaller, lesser-known bees are large in numbers. There are over 1,000 sweat bee varieties in Central America, Canada, and the United States. These species differ in characteristic, but there are a handful of the species that all love one thing. Yes, you guessed it. Sweat. Your pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks is here with some more information about sweat bees.

What Attracts Sweat Bees?

Sweat bees are attracted to human sweat – their name says it all. But, these bees also serve the purpose of pollinating the world’s flowers and crops. Most people don’t see sweat bees and they hardly realize when they’re around.

When Sweat Bees Are Out?

If you’re seeing a lot of these little bees, it’s due to the humid weather. Hot, humid weather causes humans to sweat more, which exposes the salt that sweat bees love. If the climate is hotter in the area you live in, there’s a higher probability that you will see a sweat bee.

What Do Sweat Bees Eat?

Sweat bees will feed on nectar and pollen. This is where the bee is beneficial to us because it’s a part of the pollination process. A declining number of bees in the world will lead to a potential food shortage because most the world’s crops rely on bees for pollination. For the sweat bee, salt is vital. Salt isn’t easily found in nature so the sweat bees tend to get their salt from humans and their sweat.

Where Do Sweat Bees Live?

They are solitary and they burrow holes in the soil to build their nests. Tunnels and passageways are shared between these bees although they live in different nests. Their nests are called cells and they have kept a good distance from other bees.

Are Sweat Bees Dangerous?

No. Females do contain stingers, but males don’t develop a stinger. Sweat bees don’t attack unless they’re squished on the skin. If you swat at the sweat bee, it will simply fly away. Because these bees are so small, most people don’t even realize they’re around. Some sweat bees are also often mistaken for flies because of their appearance.

Sweat bees are usually harmless and most people hardly notice they are around. These insects may be a little annoying, but they play a vital role in pollination. With the weather starting to cool down, make sure your home is pest free by hiring a Lake of the Ozarks pest control company. Call A B Pest Control & Insulation at 573-964-1100 to schedule your appointment today. 

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

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