FAQs
Here are a few of our most frequently asked questions. Check out the answers to see how much you know about pollinators!
Are honey bees native?
Honey bees were introduced to North America by European settlers in the 1600s. The honey bee (Apis mellifera) is native to Europe and parts of Asia and Africa. Check out the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association to learn more about honey bees: https://www.ncbeekeepers.org/
How can I get rid of carpenter bees?
Before waging war on carpenter bees, remember they are good pollinators and important insects to have on your landscape. If you want to learn more about carpenter bees, as well as possible ways to deter them from nesting in your house (or associated structures), check out this interesting blog: https://www.backyardecology.net/carpenter-bees/ Here's a link with additional information as well as a cool diagram of a carpenter bee’s lifecycle: https://cals.ncsu.edu/applied-ecology/news/where-have-all-the-big-bees-gone/
How many native bee species can be found in North Carolina?
North Carolina is home to more than 500 species of native bees. Many are economically vital to our agricultural industry. In addition to bees, there are approximately 178 species of butterflies, over 3,000 species of moths and an unknown number of other insect pollinators in North Carolina. Navigate here to learn more about our native pollinators: https://ncwf.org/blog/wild-bees-friends-not-foes/
Do all bees die after they sting?
No, only honey bees suffer this fate. Honey bees have barbed stingers that embed in your skin. When the bee flies away, the stinger is torn from her body, and she dies. If you are stung by a honey bee, remove the stinger immediately to reduce sting severity.