Wild bees: where they live in nature, what they look like and their nests, how to get rid

Wild bees are called unique insects that are considered the ancestors of modern honey bees. They live mainly in areas remote from people - in wild forests or in meadows. However, periodically individuals migrate and settle near a person. These insects produce very tasty and he althy 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 specimens are paler and less noticeable.

Such insects are distinguished by thin and transparent wings and a relatively large head. It has 2 complex compound eyes, the viewing angle of each of which is 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 was 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 is a sting, which is complemented by notches. Due to this, it gets stuck in the body of the victim. If you try to pull it out, the bee dies.

Wild individuals are characterized by high social organization. The colony is led by the queen, which is the progenitor of worker bees and drones. Workers have well-defined roles that change with age.

On average, a wild bee colony has between 2,000 and 20,000 individuals. However, sometimes there are very small colonies, which include no more than a dozen insects.

Why are wild individuals dangerous?

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 the house, this becomes a real problem.

Such individuals not only make 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 to be more concentrated than that of domestic bees.

When bitten, it is important to see a doctor. As a first aid, do the following:

• remove stinger;
• treat the wound with alcohol;
• wash the damaged area with saline 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 plenty of liquids that contain a lot of ascorbic acid - for example, rosehip broth.

Main species

The following types of bees are found in nature:

• Single - lead a solitary lifestyle. The female lays eggs and raises the next generations on her own. As a rule, such bees pollinate only one type of plant.
• Semi-public - form small families, which include 10 individuals. Their main purpose 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 way of life of domestic individuals. Such bees are characterized by a more extensive list of pollinated crops. They are able to easily reorient themselves to collect another type of nectar. Such individuals are characterized by very strong immunity. They are able to collectively defend themselves, and are characterized by aggressive behavior.

Where do they live?

Wild bees are demanding on the environment and are attentive to the choice of a place to live. Families of such insects are often found in hollows and cracks in dried trees. Sometimes they nest in rock crevices. After choosing a suitable place, such individuals begin to build a nest.They fix their honeycombs vertically.

How are they?

The family of wild individuals is distinguished by the same organization as that of domestic insects.

It is headed by the uterus, which is responsible for procreation. Because this bee is engaged in laying eggs.

Worker bees obey the queen. According to her instructions, they raise young animals, clean up and put the hive in order. Workers also collect sweet nectar. Each colony has drones that fertilize the queen.

Main differences from homemade

In the natural environment, wild individuals live in the same way as domestic ones. However, they are also characterized by some features:

• Wild bees are much more aggressive than domestic bees. Sometimes they attack people and animals without warning.
• For wild insects, a calm, soft color is characteristic. Sometimes they have a completely gray tint and do not contain stripes at all.
• Untamed individuals are considered more industrious. They have more vitality and are highly active.
• Wild bees are smaller. 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

The mass attack of wild bees poses a mortal threat to people. Of course, such individuals are of great benefit, but it is much better to resettle them to a safe distance. The easiest way is to contact the veterinary service for this.

If this is not possible, you should do it yourself. To do this, it is recommended to follow these steps:

• Make a hive that will act as a bait. It is recommended to drop a little lemongrass oil there. It is also permissible to use the pheromone that the queen bee exudes.
• Wait until the insects move to a new area, and move the hive away. To do this, you need to use a tight bag. It is important to perform manipulations while wearing protective clothing.
• If required, it is recommended to calm the insects during the movement. To do this, use the smoke.

Catching and breeding

To catch wild bees, beekeepers use a special trap. It can be made from ordinary plywood. It is recommended that you do the following:

• Make a box with 4-8 frames. It is permissible to use several frames with old honeycombs as baits.
• Climb a tree and hang a 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.
• Fix the box with slings or ropes. After that, it needs to be left for a while. 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 right place. The procedure is recommended to be carried out after sunset, when the bees return to their new home. To do this, you should quietly climb a tree and securely close the container.

Wild bees can be lured into a trap, but you can't breed them yourself. Experienced beekeepers use a cut deck to relocate insects. There the swarm will live a normal life. At the same time, the main task of the beekeeper will be the timely collection of honey.

Benefits of "wild" honey

Wild honey is extremely beneficial for he alth. This is due to the remoteness of honey plants, from which insects collect nectar and pollen. Therefore, 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, the probability of death of the bee colony is high.

Wild honey is characterized by its dark color, tart taste and thick consistency. It has a rich aroma with hints of smoke. This product contains a lot of vitamin A, iodine and folic acid.

It is recommended to collect wild honey in autumn. By this time, he has time to ripen and get enough of 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 lesions of the digestive system, joints, liver. It helps eliminate diseases of the heart and blood vessels, skin, pancreas.

Wild bees are unique insects that bring he althy honey. At the same time, they are characterized by a very aggressive disposition. Therefore, these insects pose a great danger to people.

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