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Home > Desert Oracle Radio > Busy bees buzz bystanders more often in the summer, but they are just looking for some hydration in the hi-desert
Podcast: Desert Oracle Radio
Episode:

Busy bees buzz bystanders more often in the summer, but they are just looking for some hydration in the hi-desert
Category: Society & Culture
Duration: 00:00:00
Publish Date: 2025-07-29 16:43:44
Description:

Warmer weather and a lack of rain has bees out searching for water, which can cause them to be extra curious about your water bottle, your car’s air conditioning, or any other place where they can get a drink. Native trees that still have blooms like the desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) are buzzing with the pollinators as well, and can descend on you seemingly out of nowhere if you are carrying a source of water.

Joshua Tree National Park usually experiences a bee-heavy summer in July and August and they released a few tips yesterday on their social media to harmlessly deal with curious and thirsty bees.

First up, don’t swat at them! That just makes them agitated and more likely to accidentally sting you. Close up your water bottle or move away from water sources if you find them gathering around you, and check the opening to your water bottle before drinking yourself to avoid some gnarly mouth stings.

A car’s air conditioner can also creates water through condensation, which can drip out out of the engine compartment creating a pool of water underneath your car after you park. To avoid bees loitering near your auto, turn off your air conditioning a few minutes before you park and acclimate yourself to the outdoors by letting the arid desert wind flow through your car.

If you are allergic to bees, keep your medication on you and avoid areas with lots of flowering vegetation. Bees get busy during the summer, but cooler months and seasons with more rain also cools down their activities.

Bees don’t want to sting you, they just want a drink of water so they can get back to the buzzing around the variety of flora that the Morongo Basin possesses.

Don’t get too slap happy this summer and remain stinger-free!

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