Why do bees harass you?

Bees generally do not harass you intentionally, as they are not aggressive and do not seek out humans to bother, but they may appear to harass you when they are attracted to something on you or when they feel threatened and are defending hive or themselves. Bees are attracted to bright colors, especially floral patterns, strong perfumes, scented lotions, and sweet foods and drinks, so if you wear bright clothing, perfume, or have sweet drink, bees may fly around you investigating scent, which can feel like harassment but is actually foraging behavior, as they mistake you for flower. Bees may also be attracted to sweat that contains salts. Bees may appear to harass you when you are near their hive or nest, as social bees like honeybees defend colony and will buzz around intruder to warn and drive away, and if you swat at them or make sudden movements, they become more defensive and may sting. Bees do not harass out of malice, they are focused on collecting nectar and pollen and defending colony, and most bees are docile and will fly away if left alone. To avoid feeling harassed, avoid wearing bright floral clothing and strong perfumes outdoors, keep food and sweet drinks covered, move slowly near bees, do not swat, and if bee lands on you, stay calm and gently brush it away, as swatting increases chance of sting.