Bees enjoy a tipple

@JudyEv (381760)

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.

19 people like this

18 responses

@AmbiePam (120533)

• United States

25 Oct 24

I’d hate to meet a “bouncer” bee.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Oct 24

Me too! I don't particularly like meeting any bees!! lol

1 person likes this

@xFiacre (14782)

• Ireland

25 Oct 24

@judyev Now that is interesting. I wonder do they get hangovers? Suppose they must, and next morning ask “where are my wings?” when they wake.

3 people like this

@LadyDuck (502148)

• Italy

25 Oct 24

That is something I did not know, a drunk bee must be funny to watch.

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@LadyDuck (502148)

• Italy

27 Oct 24

@JudyEv I have seen videos of the moose drunk in the northern countries. They eat fermented fruits and get drunk.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Oct 24

@LadyDuck And I think elephants get drunk on the amarillo (?) fruits.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Oct 24

I know pigs can get drink from eating too many fallen and fermented apples if they roam in an apple orchard and there are a lot of windfalls.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@rakski (156200)

• Philippines

25 Oct 24

That’s a fascinating and unexpected fact! I had no idea bees could get drunk either.

So funny to see them bump into something. The thought that some bees might enjoy the occasional “drink” just like people adds a humorous twist to it all.

2 people like this

show previous comments

@rakski (156200)

• Philippines

27 Oct 24

@JudyEv I'm sure they are!!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Oct 24

Now I know why some bees that I've seen do seem to be inebriated. It's probably because they are!!

1 person likes this

Show more comments

Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (69157)

• Centralia, Washington

25 Oct 24

That's a lovely photo.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Oct 24

Thanks. I was wondering how the birds were going to get in for a drink. Everything here looks for water in our summers.

@freelancermariagrace (29342)

• Philippines

25 Oct 24

I was not aware of that! Thanks for sharing such interesting information, Judy. Plus, the photo looks great! Hehe

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Oct 24

The poor birds had to wait untiil the bees were all satisfied. lol

1 person likes this

@freelancermariagrace (29342)

• Philippines

28 Oct 24

@JudyEv Hahaha. It sounds like they are kind birds

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Oct 24

@freelancermariagrace They might have been afraid of getting stung.

1 person likes this

@allknowing (153544)

• India

25 Oct 24

We have had hives in our garden but never had the nerve to watch them get drunk (lol)

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Oct 24

There is so much to learn about the natural world.

1 person likes this

changjiangzhibin89

@changjiangzhibin89 (17239)

• China

25 Oct 24

I never have thought there are drinkers among bees and they take a tough line on them.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Oct 24

Drinking doesn't go down well in beehives! lol

1 person likes this

@rebelann (117199)

• El Paso, Texas

25 Oct 24

Now that's new news to me, I never woulda thought bees would get drunk.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Oct 24

I guess the first time it happens they don't know what's happening but then they get a liking for it.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@RebeccasFarm (91299)

• United States

26 Oct 24

Even the bees aye?

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@RebeccasFarm (91299)

• United States

27 Oct 24

1 person likes this

@wolfgirl569 (135583)

• Marion, Ohio

25 Oct 24

Never knew that the nectar could do that

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Oct 24

I didn't either. Such interesting stuff in the world.

1 person likes this

@RasmaSandra (97912)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

25 Oct 24

They look like they were enjoying their drink in the photo, Thanks for the info,

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Oct 24

In the summer, everything is looking for water.

1 person likes this

@JESSY3236 (22199)

• United States

29 Oct 24

I had read about this from another person on mylot about drunken bees.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

31 Oct 24

If I'd heard about it then I'd forgotten.

1 person likes this

@LindaOHio (222222)

• United States

25 Oct 24

Great photo and a very interesting post. Who would have thought?? Have a good day.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Oct 24

Glad you enjoyed both. I hope your days are going well too.

1 person likes this

@LindaOHio (222222)

• United States

27 Oct 24

@JudyEv Thank you very much.

1 person likes this

@jobelbojel (36791)

• Philippines

25 Oct 24

Thank you for sharing, never knew this. I am sorry for the bouncer bee who needs to do that to the drunk bee.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Oct 24

I guess the health of the hive depends on keeping the drunk bees out.

Vicki, #1 Creek Girl

@1creekgirl (44560)

• United States

25 Oct 24

That is too funny. They certainly act a little drunk at times.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Oct 24

I've seen them looking very wobbly from time to time. Now I know one reason why they might be.

1 person likes this

@Beestring (15373)

• Hong Kong

25 Oct 24

That's a lovely photo. Thank you for sharing the interesting information.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Oct 24

You're welcome. There are a great many interesting things in this world.

1 person likes this

@somewitch (1470)

•

25 Oct 24

So I gotta stay far away from bee hives when I'm drunk, I'm taking notes!

And that's a fabulous photo, wow!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Oct 24

Haha - yes, you don't want those bouncer bees heading your way. Glad you like the photo. Thanks.

1 person likes this