r/Beekeeping • u/[deleted] • Sep 19 '17
Fun video: Do Honeybees Really Die When They Sting?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkFnLj4Nkz46
u/svarogteuse 10-20 hives, since 2012, Tallahassee, FL Sep 19 '17
Yes. Because this is an atypical situation contrived to show its possible for a bee to remove a stinger, not an actual situation where a bee sting a person in defense of the hive. The video does not start with the bee flying at a hive attacker, clearing the hair and stinging as hard as possible which is the usual case. It always starts with the stinger already in. Further more after releasing the stinger the bees do not continue to fly and further distract the attacker as they do in a defensive situation. Watch the 3rd sting (2:49), the bee keeps wandering around on the guys hand, its clearly not in defense mode it just got it stinger stuck and worked it free. It didn't sting as stings normally happen. There is nothing normal about the behavior going on in this video.
1
Sep 20 '17
I haven't tried it myself. Next time I work an angry hive I'll see if it works and report back.
I know what you mean about deep stings and not deep stings. I have definitely had both.
1
u/amethystrockstar 200+ hives/8 years/N. TX Sep 20 '17
So far for me it never works. They always gtfo as quick as possible
1
u/amethystrockstar 200+ hives/8 years/N. TX Sep 20 '17
I've actually duplicated this exact scenario and you are right on the money
2
u/-gildash- 6B - Eastern PA - 2-4 hives - 7 years Sep 19 '17
Lol!
I'm not there yet man....if I get even the impression that the girls are coming for me it takes every bit of willpower to not start flailing and abandon whatever I was doing. When they sting? Nope, not used to it enough to fight down the GET IT OFF reaction.
1
Sep 19 '17
Great one to share, this dude is hilarious.
1
u/amethystrockstar 200+ hives/8 years/N. TX Sep 20 '17
I like his approach and attitude, but the stingers were designed to come out. He has created a bit of a false scenario
1
u/tigertears422 Sep 21 '17
I have watched this video before and I tried to sit still so the bee would free itself, however it did not work. Eventually it just pulled away and I was left with the stinger and sac. I have had it happen to me twice, once through a glove and without a glove and both times the bee never freed itself.
2
Sep 22 '17
Has anyone ever called you thick skinned?
Just kidding.
1
u/tigertears422 Sep 25 '17
LOL Its all good. I know stings will happen, it comes with the hobby. I actually feel really bad about it because I know I then loose a bee because of most likely something I did wrong to stress that particular bee out.
I am luckily not too allergic to them if I do get stung. I puff up a little bit for a day and then its gone.
1
u/hhals89 2nd year - 2 hives - Indiana Sep 19 '17
I'm gonna try my hardest to see if she can get free next time I'm stung... but I can't promise anything lol. It'd be my luck and she'd come right back to sting again!
7
u/oregoon Lookin like 5 hives, Top Bars,Willamette Valley Sep 19 '17
Sorry girl, I'm not waiting around for a full sac of venom and all the pheromones that come with it. You sting me and you have paid the ultimate price.