Sitting outside is a small challenge for my friend group, and it’s not due to the temperature or the people we’re around — it’s the swarm of bees that live in almost every nook and cranny of the school.
My question is, are bees that bad? I understand the fear of being stung, but I don’t think I’ll ever understand why someone would take the energy to run from them multiple times during a lunch period.
In my experience, staying calm and not running away not only prevents bee stings but it also allows me to enjoy my lunch. Though bees don’t necessarily chase you, they do get easily startled by sudden movements which is exactly what jumping up and running is.
Not to mention, bees actually support the environment and don’t cause any harm.
As pollinators, bees help plants ‘reproduce’, promote the growth of food crops, and improve plant diversity. Through this process, natural sugars are made – honey, something people use in everyday baking. The species helps not only plants but humans as well. Without plants, we cease to exist.
Another interesting fact, one that many bee haters should know, is that bee venom isn’t toxic. Surprisingly, all reactions to stings are caused by the person’s own body. The only reason someone may swell from stings is because of their immune system. Stings do hurt, but they’re not as bad as shots. The stinger of a bee is approximately 1/16 of an inch long, whereas a shot can be over an inch.
I’m no bee expert, but from my personal experience, I know they aren’t that harmful. In truth, I don’t like bees at all. They are equivalent to flies, they’re not pretty or swift, they make annoying buzzing noises and are constantly around. I feel bad hating an animal who can’t change, but much like mosquitos, I wish they didn’t exist, despite their benefits to the Earth.
Regardless of my dislikes, I understand that they aren’t harmful. Bees support the environment and help crops grow, all while generally not stinging people. I don’t have many unpopular opinions, but I do have this: Bees aren’t that bad.
