Why Bees Feel a Tingle on Their Backs

Flowers talk to bumblebees using electricity. If a flower hasn’t been visited recently by a bee, it gives off static electricity. The static tugs at tiny hairs on a bee’s back, letting the insect know which flowers still have nectar.

Think of it like a floral “Open for Business” sign, but instead of lights, it's a gentle electric buzz. Bumblebees build up a natural positive charge as they fly. Flowers, on the other hand, carry a negative charge. When a bee lands, the difference creates a teeny zap, just enough to send a message.

It’s so subtle we’d never feel it, but a bee’s fuzzy body is the perfect antenna. Those tiny hairs act like electric sensors, helping bees choose the best blooms and avoid empty ones.

Here’s a wild bonus: the moment a bee touches a flower, the electric signal changes. That way, other bees know the flower’s already been visited. It’s like a nectar status update, in real time.

And flowers don’t just use electricity. Some can change their color under ultraviolet light, invisible to us but easy for bees to see. Others even warm up slightly, creating a cozy landing pad for chilly pollinators.

Nature’s tech is more advanced than you’d think. It turns out, flowers and bees have their own kind of wireless network.

Try this: Rub a balloon on your hair, then hold it near your arm. Feel the tingle? That’s static electricity—just like bees feel from flowers!