Bees enjoy a tipple
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (338357)
Rockingham, Australia
October 24, 2024 7:04pm CST
I learnt something interesting today and thought you might it so too. Bees get drunk. Did you know that? I certainly didn’t. I’ve seen bees that certainly seem woozy but it never crossed my mind that they were drunk.
When temperatures get very hot, the nectar heats up, ferments, and becomes ethanol. The bees get dizzy, bump into things and may get lost. If they manage to return to the hive, ‘bouncer’ bees prevent them from entering the hive and may attack them by tearing off their legs and/or wings. Should drunk bees enter the hive and deposit their nectar, the resulting honey could poison all the bees could potentially paralyse the entire hive.
In Australia, the nectar of plants such as bottlebrushes (callistemons), lemon-scented gums and banksias become intoxicating to bees if climate conditions are right. Because bees behave in a similar manner to humans when they are drunk, they are now being used in trials to test anti-alcohol drugs. And it seems some are predisposed to enjoy a drink - just like humans.
The photo is mine of bees lining up to drink at the birdbath at our previous home.
20 people like this
19 responses
@JudyEv (338357)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Oct
Thanks. I was wondering how the birds were going to get in for a drink. Everything here looks for water in our summers.
@allknowing (134944)
• India
25 Oct
We have had hives in our garden but never had the nerve to watch them get drunk (lol)
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16746)
• China
25 Oct
I never have thought there are drinkers among bees and they take a tough line on them.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (104943)
• Marion, Ohio
25 Oct
Never knew that the nectar could do that
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@RasmaSandra (79209)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
25 Oct
They look like they were enjoying their drink in the photo, Thanks for the info,
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@LindaOHio (176077)
• United States
25 Oct
Great photo and a very interesting post. Who would have thought?? Have a good day.
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@freelancermariagrace (27397)
• Philippines
25 Oct
I was not aware of that! Thanks for sharing such interesting information, Judy. Plus, the photo looks great! Hehe
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@freelancermariagrace (27397)
• Philippines
28 Oct
@JudyEv Hahaha. It sounds like they are kind birds
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@JudyEv (338357)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Oct
@freelancermariagrace They might have been afraid of getting stung.
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@jobelbojel (35283)
• Philippines
25 Oct
Thank you for sharing, never knew this.
I am sorry for the bouncer bee who needs to do that to the drunk bee.
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@JudyEv (338357)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Oct
I guess the health of the hive depends on keeping the drunk bees out.
@1creekgirl (41303)
• United States
25 Oct
That is too funny. They certainly act a little drunk at times.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (19862)
• United States
29 Oct
I had read about this from another person on mylot about drunken bees.
@Beestring (14459)
• Hong Kong
25 Oct
That's a lovely photo.
Thank you for sharing the interesting information.
1 person likes this
@somewitch (1310)
•
25 Oct
So I gotta stay far away from bee hives when I'm drunk, I'm taking notes!
And that's a fabulous photo, wow!
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