What do sweat bees eat?

The salt from human perspiration and the pollen and the nectar from flowers are what sweat bees eat.

Sweat bees may be found in their greatest numbers everywhere in the world except the Antarctic and Arctic, Australia and Southeast Asia. Wherever they are, they are member of the Halictidae family of insects. They further may be grouped into the four subfamiliies of Halitinae, Nomiinae, Nomioidinae, or Rophitinae. They may be grouped even further into any one of more than 2,000 species.

Within the species, most are active during the day. But their family is one of only four within the bee world to include members active at dusk or in the early evening. So those cultivators or gardeners bent on control of sweat bee populations must know for a fact whether the sweat bees in question are day- or evening-flyers.

Additionally, the gardener or cultivator bent on control must know for a fact what the sweat bee calls homes. Specifically, sweat bees prefer ground nests. But they will accept fallen, decaying, dead wood.

Wherever they live, sweat bees always think about the next generation. For example, the females lay one egg on one waterproof cell. The cell is actually a lunchbox of pollen and nectar just waiting for the newly hatched eggs.

In the defense of their young, their territory or their right to access human sweat, the females are known to sting. The sting is considered painless and harmless .. unless the recipient has allergies. In such a case, commence first response measures and call in emergency rescue immediately.