Sweat Bee
Tiny metallic green, attracted to skin
Individual
Swarm
Nest / Hive
Wing / Body Pattern
What It Is
Sweat bee is a common name for a large family of small bees in the family Halictidae. They are among the most common bees in North America and are found in both Southern California and the Nashville area in large numbers and variety of species. They are called sweat bees because some species are attracted to human perspiration, landing on skin to collect salts. Size: 1/4 to 5/8 inch depending on species, generally small.
How to Identify
Sweat bees vary by species but many are metallic green or greenish-black with some yellow banding. Some species are entirely black. The metallic sheen is distinctive for many common species. Nest: most species are ground-nesting, creating small tunnels in bare or sparsely vegetated soil. Some species are solitary; others are semi-social with a small number of females sharing a nest entrance. Multiple ground holes in a bare patch of soil in spring or summer may be sweat bees.
Behavior and Risk
Sweat bees are gentle. If one is collecting perspiration from your skin, it is foraging, not attacking. A female can sting if swatted or pressed against the skin, but will not sting otherwise. Sting risk is very low. The sting is mild relative to honeybees or wasps.
How to Handle
If sweat bees are landing on your skin, they can be gently brushed away. Staying dry or wearing long sleeves reduces contact. Ground nests in garden beds or lawn areas with sparse soil can be discouraged by increasing ground cover. Dense grass, mulch, or planting discourages nesting. No removal is warranted.
Sweat bees and mason bees are both small native bees that are not removal situations. Sweat bees are often attracted to skin; mason bees are not. Sweat bees nest in the ground; mason bees nest in holes in wood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a bee landing on me?
If it is a small metallic green or black bee, it is almost certainly a sweat bee collecting salt from perspiration. It is foraging, not stinging. Gently brush it away if you prefer. It will not sting unless pressed directly against skin.
Can a sweat bee sting?
Female sweat bees can sting if directly pressed against skin, but they are extremely reluctant to do so and will not sting otherwise. The sting is mild. Males cannot sting.
Does Beecasso remove sweat bees?
Sweat bees are solitary native pollinators with no hive. Ground nests end seasonally on their own.
What is the tiny metallic green bee in my garden?
Most likely a sweat bee. Small metallic green bees are common native pollinators across Southern California and Middle Tennessee. They are beneficial visitors and not a problem. If you are unsure, send us a photo.
Should I remove sweat bees from my yard?
No. Sweat bees are beneficial pollinators. Their ground nests are small and end seasonally. There is no colony or hive to remove.