Types of bees in Arizona and how to avoid them

You might be surprised by how many species of bees live in Arizona. While some varieties won’t hurt you other than a little sting, others can be a big threat to you and your family. Knowing how to determine which bees in Arizona are dangerous can help you avoid them and stay safe.

Bumble Bees

These hairy bees can grow up to an inch long. They have black and orange, yellow, or white bands on their body. Bumble bees are pollinating, social bees that live below boards and underground.

Carpenter Bees

These large bees can grow to be about an inch long. They are often confused with bumble bees. However, unlike a bumble bee, a carpenter bee has a shiny, black abdomen. They have large jaws that help them chew through wood. Carpenter bees aren’t usually aggressive, and only females can sting. However, they can put holes in your home’s exterior and other wooden structures.

Cuckoo Bees

Cuckoo bees resemble wasps with their thin shape and relatively hairless bodies. They have yellow, black, or red coloring with bands on their abdomen. Although they don’t intentionally pollinate, they do gather nectar.

Honey Bees

Honey bees can grow to be around 3/4 of an inch in length. These bees in Arizona have brownish-gold hairs and black stripes on their abdomen. Honey bees are social bees that pollinate. They make their homes in tree hollows and other locations.

Regular honey bees usually aren’t much of a threat. However, Africanized honey bees can be highly aggressive and attack in large swarms. They are among the most dangerous stinging insects in the area.

Leafcutter and Mason Bees

These bees in Arizona can grow to be roughly 3/4 of an inch long. They have a black body with lighter bands on their abdomen. Both types are solitary and build hives in wood or holes.

Long-horned Bees

Long-horned bees can grow up to 3/4 of an inch long. They have hairy bodies with pale bands. They are pollinating bees that tend to be drawn to certain flowers, such as sunflowers.

Mining Bees

Mining bees grow to be about a half-inch long. They have reddish or brown hairs covering their black or metallic body. These bees in Arizona tend to make nests in sandy soil.

Squash Bees

Squash bees are roughly the same size as honey bees. They have a brownish coloring and typically nest in the ground. These solitary bees tend to pollinate pumpkins and gourds.

Sweat Bees

Sweat bees come in many different sizes and colors. Some are small and black or brown, while others are large and have a metallic yellow or green color. Some sweat bees pollinate, but others don’t. These bees can be especially dangerous for people with bee sting allergies since they’re attracted to human sweat.

Yellow-faced or Masked Bees

These bees are thinner than other types of bees in Arizona. They have little hair and black bodies with some yellow markings. These small bees are solitary and usually make nests in decaying twigs and empty beetle burrows.

Avoiding Bees in Arizona

You can reduce your risk of attracting bees in Arizona by avoiding wearing scented products and bright clothes when it’s warm out. You should also stay away from any hives or nests you find and have a certified bee specialist remove them. A single bee sting can be a painful inconvenience to some, but to others who are more sensitive to its venom, it can be a life-threatening event.

If you notice any signs of bees around your home, contact Budget Brothers. Our specialists are trained to safely remove bees and wasps from your property.