BEES

1. Bumblebees
2. Carpenter Bees
3. Honey Bees

There are more than 18 000 bee species in the North American region. Bees can range from 2 mm to 4 cm long. 

Solidary Bees:

Bees in this category appear to have a blue-black, purple, or green metallic shine to them and most are recognized by their almost hairless and shiny abdomen. These bees find refuge in exposed dry wood of buildings, fence posts, decks, telephone poles, and bridges. Males generally have spots of pale colouring on their head compared to females that have dark coated heads. Males have thirteen segmented antennas compared to females that have twelve and males have seven observable segments of the abdomen while females have six. An example of a solidary bee is a carpenter bee.

Social Bees:

Social bees can be identified by their commonly yellow and black stripes. They are plumose, having hairy bodies because of their individual feather-like hairs. Their hind tarsus (the final segment of the leg that touches the walking surface) is flat and wide. They are found in large colonies usually in a hive or nest. The honey bee, for example, is a social bee and is one of the most important valuable insect in nature and agriculture because of its ability to pollinate. Honey bees pollinate over 100 crops are pollinated by honey bees in Canada and play a crucial role in around 70% of the foods eaten by Canadians.

Bumblebees are more round, robust, and large and are covered with hairs. Compared to honey bees that seem slimmer and whose head appears segmented from the abdomen that ends at a pointed stinger, bumblebees are fluffier and more bulbous with larger wings to hold a larger body about twice the width of a honey bee.

COLONIES:

Social bees are found in colonies with usually three separate castes. A fertile female as the queen, infertile females as workers, and males as drones. The queen's main duty is to lay the eggs, workers repair and build the hive, get nectar, and protect the hive against attacks. The drones are to mate with virgin queens.

DIET:

A worker bees' diet usually consists of "royal jelly" at larvae stage (substance made by worker bees). Once grown, they are able to consume pollen, nectar, and honey.

LIFECYCLE:

All bees were go through full metamorphosis starting from egg and transitioning to larva, pupa, and finally adult. This process usually takes about 20 days.

Sometimes swarms of bees are spotted outside. This can be either a mating swarm or the queen leaving with a few worker bees to find a new hive. When the queen leaves, a few larvae will develop into fertile females with one dominant one arising and taking the new role of queen.

Drones are here to mate with virgin queens. After mating, which happens in flight, the drones plummet and die. Their lifespan is very short.

A queen bee can live up to 2 years while the worker bees can live a around 6 weeks.

Carpenter Bees:

Males lack a sting and are relatively harmless. Females have a strong sting but rarely sting. They will if provoked or threatened and unlike common understanding, carpenter bees are able to sting multiple times without losing their stinger.

Bumblebees:

Unlike honey bees, bumblebees can sting more than once. Workers and queens can sting. Bumblebees will sting if they feel threatened or to protect their nest. A bumblebee sting is said to be extremely painful.

Honey Bees:

The honey bee can sting only once, dying shortly after the stinger is torn out of its body and left in the host. The longer the stinger is left inside the host, the deeper it will go, thus allowing more venom to be released and increasing the pain. The stinger will need to be removed by using fingers, tweezers

"What do I do when a bee stings me?" is a common question many ask especially during the summer time, with the danger of the winged yellow-and-black pest becoming more serious. It is important for people to educate themselves on the dangers of bees especially when there is the risk of an allergic reaction or "anaphylactic shock" to the small percentage of the world who are allergic to bees. 

Classified in the stinging arthropods category, bees have the capability to inflict painful venomous stings. Arthropod stings can generate direct effects in humans caused from their toxins in their venom independently or indirect effects such as allergic reactions. Arthropod stings are medically important especially when regarding allergic reactions that can range from minor to major anaphylactic shock.

Symptoms include:

1. Constriction of chest or throat.
2. Dry coughing or hacking.
3. Wheezing.
4. Drop in blood pressure.
5. Rapid pulse.
6. Paleness or bluish hue to the skin.
7. Skin rash.
8. Loss of bowel or bladder control.
9. Dizziness.
10. Confusion.
11. Panic.
12. Loss of consciousness.

Those who are severely allergic should consider keeping a bee sting kit which is available with prescription, and know how to self-administer injections if them are stung.

"What should I do if a bee stings me?" FIRST AID:

1. Apply ice pack or alcohol to the sting site to reduce swelling.
2. To prevent infection, use an antiseptic.
3. Get immediate medical attention If the person is known to be allergic or is displaying symptoms.

It is crucial for an individual who is suffering from an allergic reaction from a sting to receive immediate medical attention because death can occur within 15 to 30 minutes.

Solidary bees can burrow into properties and inflict immense damage to the buildings. An example would be carpenter bees that have been observed boring holes into wooden structures which ultimately resulted in costly repairs being demanded. Their burrows can reach lengths exceeding a foot and many times, more than one carpenter bee can inhabit one section of wood, creating tremendous damage. Although damage from one bee is not a true concern, the damage that is created over time from numerous bees can cause a substantial amount of ruin.

An infestation can be noticed when observing property and noticing long, small holes, usually 1/2 inch in diameter, on the wooden pieces. It can also be identified with large amounts of sawdust accompanied by pollen littering below or around the area behind inhabited.

Bee hives can also be established close to properties. They are usually quite large and noisy to go unnoticed and it is crucial not to attempt to dismantle it. Aggravated honey bees will attack when threatened. Professional intervention will be best in this case.

Repair or paint over wooden structures that have faced some wear to discourage carpenter bees from invading as they commonly seek out untreated and weak wood.

If a hive is spotted, do not engage, simply call for professional assistance and allow us to handle the problem with the proper protective gear and equipment.