Discover 5 Bees Found in Alabama: Ranked by Most Painful Sting

Bees are a part of everyday life during spring and summer. And thankfully, they will leave you alone if you leave them alone. However, some can be more aggressive than others, especially if you get too close to their hives. If you’re in Alabama, you may be wondering which bees could potentially be a problem and how painful their stings are. Learn more about these five common bees found in Alabama, ranked by the most painful sting. 

We will be using the Schmidt sting pain index to judge the pain level of different bee species. To create this pain scale, the entomologist Justin Schmidt willingly recorded his experiences of being stung by different venomous insects. The pain levels range from zero to four, with four being the most painful. 

Bees Level Three or Higher: Schmidt Sting Pain Index

According to Schmidt’s Pain Index, there are no bee stings over level two. In fact, most bee stings fall within the zero to one category. The most painful insect stings are from the warrior wasp and the tarantula hawk.

Most bee stings are akin to a painful pinch that may burn and itch. The site can become red and enlarged, and swelling may take several days to go down. Unless you are allergic, over-the-counter pain medication may be all you need.

Bees Found in Alabama: Level Two Pain Index

Here are a few bees in Alabama with the most painful stings, coming in around a level two pain:

1. Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees are large black and yellow bees that like to nest in wood structures, especially near human habitations in the spring. The main difference between a carpenter bee and a bumblebee is that the carpenter has a shiny black abdomen, whereas the bumble is covered in fuzzy hair. Only female carpenters can sting, and they tend to not be defensive. If you see carpenter bees hovering and getting close to you, they are usually males and don’t possess stingers. However, females can sting multiple times if they feel inclined. 

2. Honey Bees

While honey bees are not native to the United States, they are fairly common throughout the country. The most common type of honey bee in Alabama is the Italian honey bee, which is known for its more laid-back behavior (good news for you). Honey bees are most active in early spring when the weather gets warmer and flowers begin to blossom. Honey bee stings are about the same as carpenter bees. Both cause an instant sharp burning pain and red welt.

3. Bumblebees

Bumblebees are one of the most common types of bees in Alabama. And there are actually 20 different bumblebee species in the state. Other than their furry abdomens, you can tell a carpenter bee from a bumblebee by their size. While both are large bees, carpenter bees tend to be slightly bigger. Bumblebees are also not known for being aggressive. And they usually only sting people when they feel an immediate threat to their hive. 

Bees Found in Alabama: Level Zero to One Pain Index

While several bee species can deliver painful stings, most bees produce mild to very mild stings. Here are a couple of species that only top one on the sting pain index:

4. Sweat Bees

There are several sweat bee species in Alabama and most of them feature black and metallic green coloring. And some can feature yellow stripes. But all are generally small and compact, with a more sleek appearance than the bumblebee. These bees are attracted to sweat, hence their name. And so you will often find these bees buzzing around if you’ve been outside sweating in your garden. While these bees can sting, they rarely do. They are not known for being aggressive. And their stings are very mild, feeling a small pinch.

5. Digger Bees

The digger bee is a fuzzy, robust bee with lighter coloring, ranging from light brown and gray to black. If you’ve ever seen small piles of dirt in your yard near vegetation, they may have been digger bee mounds. This species is not typically aggressive. However, males may patrol the area looking for threats. But people don’t usually get stung unless they accidentally step on one. Their stings are similar to sweat bees. Polyester bees are another low-pain stinging bee found in Alabama.

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