What to Know About Sweat Bees

Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on January 03, 2023
5 min read

Sweat bees are a large group of small bees. You likely won’t notice these creatures until they’re sticking out their long tongues to give your skin a gentle lick. 

They’re important pollinators that are found throughout the world. But they do have stingers. So treat them with care if you find one buzzing around you on a hot summer day.

Sweat bees are all members of the biological family Halictidae. They’re one of the most numerous and diverse families within the Hymenoptera order. This order contains five other families — some of which include well-known insects like wasps and honey bees. 

There are four subfamilies within the Halictidae family. These are the: 

  • Rophitinae
  • Nominae
  • Nomioidinae
  • Halictinae

Each subfamily contains a large number of genera and species — each with its own characteristics. So far, scientists have identified over 3,500 species. 

Many distinct species are found throughout the U.S. Florida alone contains at least 60 different species of sweat bees. 

Another common name for sweat bees is halictid bees — which is based on the family name.

Like other bees and insects, these ones undergo metamorphoses that take them through different life stages. But the larval stages are so small and brief that you’ll likely only see these bees in their adult forms. The exact appearance of adult sweat bees depends on their species. 

The average sweat bees size is small to medium in length. Full-grown sweat bees can be anywhere from three to 15 millimeters long. 

Most species are brownish or black. But some species have metallic-looking bodies in shades of: 

  • Green
  • Blue
  • Purple 

Some species have small white hairs on their bodies that can form patterns — like stripes. They have short tongues that they use to collect flower nectar. The females in most species gather pollen in specialized regions on the backs of their rear legs.

For the most part, sweat bees survive off of nectar and pollen from plants. Many species lay individual eggs on top of clusters of pollen that they can eat when they first hatch. Most species form round or oval pollen clusters for their young. But members of the species found in one genus shape them into cubes. 

On hot days, don’t be surprised to find a sweat bee or two landing on your arm and starting to gently lick your skin. This is because they also get some of their nutrients from human sweat. In fact, this is where the sweat bee’s common name comes from. 

Our sweat contains a lot of salt and proteins. Researchers believe that sweat bees need these nutrients for their young.

You can find species of sweat bees on six of the seven continents. Antarctica is the only place where they don’t live. They prefer temperate climates — where they’re found in the greatest numbers — but they also live in tropical regions. 

They can survive in: 

  • Deserts
  • Grasslands
  • Forests
  • Rainforests
  • Mountains

Many species form nests in the ground. They prefer streambanks and clay-rich soils. Some of them are solitary creatures and live alone. Others are social creatures that form colonies. Sweat bees line their homes with wax that they create in their bodies. Some species only use this to line the inner chambers of their nests while other species use it to block off the entrances.

In general, sweat bees are not particularly dangerous. They have mild temperaments and are happy to be left alone. If you find one licking at your sweat, you should be able to gently brush them away without irritating them. 

But female sweat bees can and will sting you if they feel threatened. This could be when you try to squish them or when they’re defending their home — because they can be territorial. For most people, this sting is mild and won’t cause much irritation. But you could have a problem if you’re allergic to bee venom.

Sweat bees are only dangerous if you’re extremely allergic to bees. In certain individuals, bee stings can turn into emergency situations. They can even be deadly. 

Always look for signs of an allergic reaction after you or your child is stung by a bee. Get immediate medical attention if you notice a widespread reaction. Signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction are listed in a separate section. 

Otherwise, sweat bees are actually beneficial insects to have around. They’re highly active pollinators. A lot of plants — including some crops — depend on them for their survival. These plants include: 

  • Wildflowers
  • Stone fruits — like peaches and nectarines
  • Watermelons 
  • Alfalfa
  • Sunflowers

Eliminating sweat bees from the environment would have a significant negative impact on many of the plants that humans value. They play an essential role in the delicately-balanced web of life.

Just like wasps and honey bees, sweat bees can also have irritating stings. Luckily they tend to be much milder than other kinds of bee stings. 

But you can never be too careful when it comes to a bee sting. They could cause your body to go into a state called anaphylaxis. This is an extreme allergic reaction that can affect your entire body. Signs of anaphylaxis include: 

Even if you’re not allergic, the area where you got stung could still develop symptoms. These include: 

If you know that you’re allergic, always use your allergy response kit as soon as you or your child is stung. This could include a device like an EpiPen. Make sure that you know how to properly use these tools before an emergency situation occurs. 

After using your allergy response equipment, you should still get to a medical facility and contact your doctor in case of a continued allergic reaction. 

There are other treatment steps that you can take if your sting is more irritating than deadly. Follow these steps to help manage mild symptoms:

  • Wash the region with soap and water
  • Avoid itching — otherwise, you’ll further irritate the area and it could lead to an infection
  • Apply an antihistamine cream, hydrocortisone cream, or a paste of baking soda and water to soothe the region
  • Try an over-the-counter pain reliever to help with pain

Symptoms could continue for a few days, so use these treatments when you need them. Make sure to carefully follow the instructions for any creams or pills that you use.

You might need to remove sweat bees if you find a lot of them living on your property. In order to completely remove them, you’ll need to find their nesting site. Try to figure out which species of sweat bee you’re working with so you know what type of nest to look for.   

Unfortunately, you risk getting stung whenever you disrupt a bee’s nest. Contact a professional pest removal service to avoid all personal risks in the removal process.