Near to the top of the list of the most specific animal phobias, apiphobia is better known as the fear of bees, and it affects countless people countrywide. Alongside the extremely common fear of spiders (arachnophobia), fear of bees can be explained as an irrational phobia - an intense fear of something that poses little or no actual danger. At Mr Wasp, we understand the annoyance that these pests can cause. If you have a problem with wasps, hornets or bees, it’s time to act quickly. There are no cutting corners when it comes to bee control and insect removal. With a number of pest experts at our disposal, at Mr Wasp we will make it our mission to resolve your issue quickly, efficiently and most importantly, safely.
Continue reading to learn more about Apiphobia and what can be done to cure the fear of bees.
What Is Apiphobia?
Defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as an “intense fear or dislike of bees”, apiphobia is extremely common, with some people developing a phobia after being stung as a child, or watching someone else get stung. Prior exposure is not always required for a fear to occur, with some people only developing an irrational fear later in life. There is a specific difference between not wanting to get stung by a bee, and someone who is suffering from an intense fear of bees. Those with apiphobia can go to extreme measures such as avoiding the outdoors completely in the Summer to ensure they do not come into contact with bees, wasps or hornets.
It is important to observe that although a bee sting is just a painful inconvenience for most people, Some individuals are highly allergic to insect stings, and for people who suffer from an allergy, a single sting could cause a dangerous or even deadly reaction, this is one reason to take insect removal seriously.
Why Am I Scared Of Bees?
There are many reasons that someone may be fearful of bees, with some of the more common causes found below:
● Instead of consulting a bee control or insect removal professional, in the past you may have accidentally disturbed a hive, triggering a fearful and negative response.
● Parents may have influenced this fear early in your life by discouraging interaction with bees. Young children may learn to fear bees as a result of this warning,
● Media could have triggered this fear of bees, with TV, film or audio all having the potential to cause apiphobia.
Will My Fear Ever Go Away?
Thankfully, phobias are only temporary, and can be treated in many ways, including:
● Cognitive behavioural therapy is a medically approved way of treating phobias. Doctors and mental health professionals can explain the available options. Unfortunately there is often a long waiting list for talking treatments.
● Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis to try to change habits and treat conditions. Hypnosis involves putting the individual in a state of induced relaxation in order to access subconscious beliefs, thoughts and memories.
● Only available through a GP, if your phobia causes you severe anxiety medication may be offered to prevent this stress. This is often seen as a last resort.
Without Bees, our flowers, plants and crops would not be the same as they are today. As the most important pollinating insects, the fruit and vegetables we eat come courtesy of bees, as well as the beautiful flowers that spring up each year. Bees will not sting unless they feel threatened, however we understand that when a hive is built on your property you may be concerned for your safety. Contact a pest expert for more information on your bee control-related issues.
