Wild bees are unique insects that are considered the ancestors of modern honeybees. They live mainly in areas remote from people - in wild forests or meadows. However, individuals periodically migrate and settle near humans. These insects produce very tasty and healthy honey, but they are considered very aggressive and pose a real danger to people.
Description and characteristics of wild bees
Wild bees are similar to domestic bees in many ways. This applies to family structure and lifestyle.However, these varieties are characterized by a number of differences. So, wild individuals look a little different. Sometimes they are 3-4 times smaller than domestic ones. In addition, these individuals are most often characterized by a uniform color. Wild individuals have a paler and less noticeable tint.
Such insects are distinguished by thin and transparent wings and a relatively large head. It has 2 complex compound eyes, each with a viewing angle of 180 degrees. At the top of the head are several simple eyes. They help bees navigate by the sun.
The oral apparatus of insects is covered by a special chitinous strip called the upper lip. The lower lip is transformed into a proboscis for collecting nectar. In wild bees it is thin and relatively long. Insects also have antennae. These olfactory organs are divided into 11-12 segments.
At the end of the abdomen there is a sting, which is supplemented with serrations. Thanks to this, it gets stuck in the victim's body. When trying to pull it out, the bee dies.
Wild individuals are characterized by a high social organization. The colony is headed by a queen, who is the progenitor of worker bees and drones. Working individuals have clearly defined roles that change depending on age.
On average, a wild bee family numbers from 2 to 20 thousand individuals. However, sometimes there are very small colonies, which include no more than a dozen insects.
How dangerous are wild animals?
Wild forest bees pose a real danger to people. They tend to defend themselves at the first danger and are characterized by an aggressive disposition. If wild bees have settled near your house, this becomes a real problem.
Such individuals not only create noise, but are also capable of biting a person.
This is especially dangerous for people with allergies. If a person is bitten by several bees at once, this can lead to tragedy. The venom of wild bees is considered more concentrated than that of domestic bees.
If you are bitten, it is important to see a doctor. As first aid you should do the following:
- remove the sting;
- treat the wound with alcohol;
- wash the damaged area with saline solution to remove the poison.
After completing all procedures, it is recommended to apply a cold compress to the bite site.
It is also worth drinking more liquids that contain a lot of ascorbic acid - for example, rosehip decoction.
Main types
The following types of bees are found in nature:
- Singles - lead a solitary lifestyle. The female lays eggs and independently raises the next generations. As a rule, such bees pollinate only one type of plant.
- Semi-social - form small families of 10 individuals. Their main goal is wintering. After its completion, the family breaks up. Halictids are considered a typical representative of such bees.
- Social - characterized by a social structure that resembles the lifestyle of domestic individuals. Such bees are characterized by a more extensive list of pollinated crops. They are able to easily reorient themselves to collecting another type of nectar. Such individuals are characterized by very strong immunity. They are able to collectively defend themselves and are distinguished by aggressive behavior.
Where do they live?
Wild bees are environmentally demanding and are attentive to the choice of place to live. Families of such insects are often found in hollows and cracks of dried trees. Sometimes they settle in rock crevices. After choosing a suitable place, such individuals begin to build a nest. They fix their honeycombs vertically.
How do they live?
It is headed by the uterus, which is responsible for procreation. Therefore, this bee is engaged in laying eggs.
Worker bees obey the queen. According to her instructions, they raise young animals, do cleaning and put the hive in order. Working individuals also collect sweet nectar. Each bee colony contains drones that fertilize the queen.
Main differences from home
In the natural environment, wild individuals live in the same way as domestic ones. However, they also have some characteristics:
- Wild bees are much more aggressive than domestic bees. Sometimes they attack people and animals without warning.
- Wild insects are characterized by a calm, dim color. Sometimes they are completely gray and have no stripes at all.
- Untamed individuals are considered more hardworking. They have more vitality and are highly active.
- Wild bees are characterized by their smaller size. However, sometimes there are exceptions.
- Wild individuals are characterized by strong immunity. They are able to survive frosts down to -50 degrees.
How to get rid of them
Massive attacks by wild bees pose a mortal threat to people. Of course, such individuals are of great benefit, but it is much better to relocate them to a safe distance. The easiest way to do this is to contact a veterinary service.
If this is not possible, you should do it yourself. To do this, it is recommended to do the following:
- Make a hive that will serve as bait. It is recommended to drop a little lemongrass oil there. It is also permissible to use the pheromone that the queen bee emits.
- Wait until the insects move to the new area and move the hive further away. To do this you need to use a thick bag. It is important to carry out manipulations in protective clothing.
- If necessary, it is recommended to calm the insects while moving. To do this you should use smoke.
Catching and breeding
To catch wild bees, beekeepers use a special trap. It can be made from ordinary plywood. It is recommended to do the following:
- Make a box with 4-8 frames. It is permissible to use several frames with old honeycombs as bait.
- Climb a tree and hang the trap at a height of 3-6 meters. It is advisable to place the structure on a tree near a clearing or clearing. A coniferous forest would be a suitable option.
- Secure the box with slings or ropes. After which it needs to be left for some time. It is recommended to catch bees during the swarming period, which lasts from May 25 to July 10. The trap should be checked at intervals of 7-10 days.
- After moving the swarm into the box, it must be carefully removed and moved to the desired location. It is recommended to carry out the procedure after sunset, when the bees return to their new home. To do this, you should quietly climb a tree and securely close the container.
You can trap wild bees, but you cannot breed them yourself. Experienced beekeepers use a cut log to relocate insects. There the swarm will live a normal life. In this case, the main task of the beekeeper will be timely collection of honey.
The benefits of wild honey
Wild honey is incredibly beneficial for health. This is due to the remoteness of honey plants, from which insects collect nectar and pollen. That’s why there are no big roads or cities near such flowers.
It is important to take honey from such bees according to the rules. Experts advise taking no more than a third of the reserves. Otherwise, there is a high probability of death of the bee colony.
Wild honey is characterized by a dark color, tart taste and thick consistency. It has a rich aroma with notes of smoke. This product contains a lot of vitamin A, iodine and folic acid.
It is recommended to collect wild honey in the fall. By this time, it has time to ripen and be saturated with useful substances. This product is actively used in folk and traditional medicine. It is believed that it can be used to treat various pathologies. The product treats damage to the digestive system, joints, and liver. It helps eliminate diseases of the heart and blood vessels, skin, and pancreas.
Wild bees are unique insects that produce healthy honey. At the same time, they are characterized by a very aggressive disposition. Therefore, these insects pose a great danger to people.
