The Truth About Illinois Bees: What to Swat and What to Save

Summer is a great time to live in Illinois, but it comes with a lot of buzzing, stripey, scary things that fly around ruining good times. If you want to know which of these flying creatures are demons, and which ones are harmless, this guide should help.

Bee Problems in Illinois

These days there's a lot of ruckus about saving the bees and protecting the pollinators. Between homeowners practicing "No Mow May" and yards running rampant with dandelions and wildflowers, there's a LOT of scary, buzzing, insects flying all over Illinois.

I fully understand that protecting bees is important and that their pollinating is vital for our ecosystem, BUT I still scream and run for the hills when I come in contact with one...good or bad.

Since my constant sprints away from bees and wasps are really starting to ruin my summer fun, (and really embarrasses my family), I think it's time for a refresher on which buzzing, stinging insects are our friends and which ones are the spawn of Satan.

Illinois Survival Guide For Bees and Wasps

When I was a kid I firmly believed that all bees, wasps, hornets, etc. died once they stung something, but it turns only one type of bee can sting only once...the rest can sting repeatedly and still live to sting another day. (YIKES!)

The other day I saw this post from Gardening Success Tips, and it helped me realize that I don't have to run away in fear from all flying, stinging, creatures...just a few of them.

Do you feel better about calling some bees friends now? I kinda do, but I'm also pretty sure those Hoverflies that "can't sting" have totally gotten me a time or two. Did they bite me instead? Either way, I'm not a fan.