Honeybees are one of the most beneficial insects worldwide. Their role in plant survival through pollination is unmatched. And while they are usually armed with a stinger for defense, they are typically helpless with some enemies and require human intervention. Many diseases and parasites have caused many colonies to die out, including the wild bees. Some of their predators include bears, skunks, raccoons, opossums, honey badgers, and honeyguides, among others. They are usually after the honey or the bees themselves. 

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Do snakes eat bees?

Some snakes may eat bees but not in large numbers. They actually don’t like bees. They will prey on mice and other rodents. They are not a threat to honey bee colonies either. If you see one around your hive, it may be hunting for mites. 

Do birds eat bees?

Honey bees are small, fast, and capable of stinging. However, some birds apply various strategies to catch and consume them regularly. The most common ones are bee-eaters, with the European bee-eater being the most famous one. They are armed with long, curved beaks and excellent eyesight that is ideal for spotting bees as they are flying in mid-air. Their quick reflexes enhance them to act fast. They may also ambush them from a branch. Bee-eaters are primarily found in Europe, Australia, Asia, and Africa. Once they get hold of the bee, they smash it against a hard surface and rub it to get rid of the stinger. They remove the stinger to protect themselves from venom. When a bird is stung by a bee, it can turn out to be fatal. Birds are not a threat to bee populations. They are more threatened by other factors such as pesticides, diseases, habitat loss, and climate change. 

What are the worst bee enemies?

The worst enemy of honey bee colonies is varroa mites, a tiny and destructive parasite. This is one of the reasons that honey bee colonies continue to decline. The mite sucks the bee’s blood and transmits deadly viruses into the colony. It attaches itself to the body of the bee and feeds on the blood. The mites also feed on bee larvae and pupae, resulting in adult bees with deformed wings and bodies after emergence. They weaken bees, shorten their lives, and cause death through viral infection.  If their numbers build up to high levels, they eventually kill the honey bee’s nests and hives. 

Do bees eat other bees?

Honeybees are not known to prey on each other. However, the workers do feed on their sibling’s eggs. Worker’s bees do not mate; hence they lay unfertilized eggs. They will only lay eggs when the queen’s pheromones are weak or missing. The pheromones suppress the reproductive organs. If the eggs survive, they result in drones. Bumble bee queens also feed on their offspring’s eggs. Honey bee workers are also ruthless to the drones and unwanted queens. They will sting the queen until she dies. They also tear up the wings of the drones and evict them from the hive in the fall. 

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Do bees eat insects?

Honey bees do not eat meat and don’t prey on insects. However, if a colony is under starvation, they will eat the bee’s eggs and larvae as the last resort to survive. Their primary diet is honey and pollen. These contain the nutrients that their bodies require to remain healthy. The pollen meets their protein needs, while nectar provides them with energy.