Don’t “Bee” Fooled by Pollinator Myths

In our school garden work, we often encounter teachers or schools who would like to plant a pollinator garden but are fearful that attracting bees will result in students being stung. It’s essential to recognize that bees play a crucial role in pollination, facilitating the reproduction of flowering plants, including many of the fruits, vegetables, and flowers in our garden. By observing and understanding their behavior, we can coexist harmoniously with these valuable pollinators.

One common misconception is that the majority of bees are aggressive and likely to sting. In reality, most bees are docile and only sting when they feel threatened or provoked. The risk of a sting from bees in your yard or garden is very small, especially with a bit of advanced knowledge. You can safely get within a few inches of a bee visiting a flower and not get stung. Bees are focused on foraging for nectar and pollen to sustain their colonies.

Bees encompass a diverse range of species, each with unique behaviors and characteristics. While some species are solitary and rarely encountered, others, like honeybees and bumblebees, are more social and may build colonies in proximity to human activity. However, even within social species, the instinct to sting is primarily a defense mechanism rather than an aggressive behavior.

“Bee” informed with these fun facts:

• Native bees are mostly small and go unnoticed. Bumblebees are colorful giants compared with most bees. 
• Less than half of the world’s bees are capable of stinging. Only female bees sting. 
• Foraging bees collect pollen and nectar to feed their young and themselves. They are not flying around looking for someone to sting!
• You are completely safe watching bees as they fly from flower to flower.
• Most bees only sting if you pinch them, step on them, or if they get caught in clothing.
• Honey bees and some bumblebees are defensive within 10 or 20 feet of their nests. Observe where they return to after foraging and keep back from that area. 

As stewards of our school garden, let’s embrace a deeper understanding of pollinators and bees. By dispelling myths and fostering a culture of coexistence, we can create a nurturing environment where both humans and bees feel safe and thrive together. For more information on inviting pollinators to your school garden check out this brochure from the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign.