Does Loud Music Kill Bees in the Car?

Flying insects inside the passenger compartment can be a nuisance for drivers. Bees, because of their potential to sting, are an even greater annoyance when they become trapped in a car.

Honeybees

• There are many bee varieties, the most common being the honeybee. The honeybee is native to the Middle East and was introduced in the Americas by early European settlers. It is naturalized on every continent except Antarctica. Along with providing honey, they are valued for their pollination. While necessary to the health of the environment, bees can become annoying pests as they are notorious for stinging.

Noise

• There is a common belief that loud music played in a car will kill a trapped bee. This is untrue. While bees are sensitive to sound vibrations, they are more likely to become disoriented (and therefore more likely to sting) than they are to drop dead. There have been a few cases of bee death reportedly caused by the vibration of a large explosion, such as a bomb, but it is impossible to create such an intense vibration in your car.

Solutions

• Your best bet at removing a bee from the interior of your car is by forcing it out an open window. If you're driving, make sure to pull over before attempting to force it out. Another option is to keep a can of insect spray on hand, especially if you live in an area with a high insect population.