For most people, the warmer months are a chance to get outdoors and enjoy nature. For others, it’s a source of anxiety as bees and wasps take to the air. 

The intense fear of bees, called melissophobia or apiphobia, and spheksophobia, or a profound fear of wasps, can have debilitating physical and mental effects on daily life. 

In some cases, this specific phobia is brought on by childhood trauma, others because of misunderstandings. 

Whatever the cause, hypnotherapy can help you overcome a fear of bees and wasps. 

What causes apiphobia and spheksophobia?

There are many reasons why someone could suffer from apiphobia or spheksophobia. 

Childhood/previous trauma 

One of the most common reasons behind a fear of wasps or bees is having been stung either as a child or in the past. 

Getting a painful insect sting can lead to a profound physical memory. If it’s also followed by an allergic reaction, it can also trigger a stress response. 

Disturbing a bee, wasp or hornet’s nest and receiving multiple, very painful stings can be traumatic on its own, but witnessing this sort of event can also leave an almost indelible mental scar. Both can result in an intense fear of these creatures.

Learned behaviour about a wasp sting 

Kids are brilliant at learning from their environment. For example, if one or more of their family is frightened of bees or wasps, how they react to seeing these insects can be picked up by children, even if the danger of a wasp or bee sting is low. 

If all they see is someone behaving anxiously around insects because they feel threatened, this could plant the seed for a major fear or phobia in adulthood: the youngster learned to fear bees and wasps. 

Misinformation about a bee sting

Some people’s fear of bees or wasps can be sparked by misconceptions of what they see and read in the media. 

Even though only a small percentage of people suffer severe reactions from stinging insects, a news report warning of the risks posed by killer bees could cause someone to believe that every stinging insect is deadly, leading to an intense fear or irrational phobia. 

Innate tendencies

Humans have been programmed for centuries to be fearful of certain species, even though we now know they pose little or no threat. 

In some cases, our innate sense of survival can kick in, triggering an irrational response to seeing wasps or bees. 

An array of symptoms  

Although the reasons for developing apiphobia or spheksophobia can vary, both phobias share several common symptoms. 

Physical impact 

An acute fear of bees, wasps and insects can lead to a range of physical symptoms, including: 

• Elevated or rapid heartbeat
• sweating
• trembling
• tightness in the chest
• shortness of breath
• dizziness
• nausea
• panic attacks
• flight response

Mental impact

Alongside physical symptoms, apiphobia or spheksophobia can also result in overwhelming cognitive symptoms:

• Hyper-vigilance
• Anticipatory anxiety
• Catastrophic thoughts

Behavioural impact

People with a specific phobia of wasps or an acute fear of bees can find their lives disrupted as they may take extreme measures to avoid locations or situations where they might encounter them or other insects. That could include: 

• A need for constant reassurance 
• Over-the-top protective measures 
• Leaving a location abruptly 

Emotional impact

As well as high anxiety levels about the danger of a wasp or bee sting, the debilitating nature of apiphobia or spheksophobia can also have an emotional impact. 

• Feelings of shame or embarrassment 
• Lingering dread of of flowers or the outdoors 
• Feeling powerless to avoid situations 

Overcoming an irrational phobia of wasps or bees 

An irrational fear about insects can be so debilitating, panic attacks are triggered without contact, but merely by thinking about bees, wasps or a hive. 

There are several methods that can help combat this irrational fear. 

Understanding differences

Knowing that not all stinging insects will attack or be confrontational can help reduce stress levels when panic attacks occur. 

Self-soothing treatment 

Deep breathing and relaxation techniques can help manage the fear or anxiety linked to bees and wasps.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

Treating this fear with CBT can help some people understand that a wasp sting or bee sting is not dangerous, and will not lead to an allergic reaction or intense pain, helping them control their phobia.

Exposure therapy

Some people who usually avoid situations with insects they perceive as dangerous, find that exposure therapy, being near to insects in small, controllable ways, can help them overcome their irrational fear.  

Understanding and preparing

Knowledge and preparedness can help some people deal with their specific phobia about bees and wasps, reducing their compulsion to go to great lengths to stay safe. 

Effectively using sprays or traps, understanding the difference between stings, learning about the role of insects in the world and even joining a support group can all help ease their fear. 

However, if you want to overcome your phobia, once and for all, you need hypnotherapy. 

Hypnotherapy for fear of wasps and bees

Hypnotherapy is a proven, powerful tool for helping people deal with and overcome their phobia of wasps and bees.  

My Solution Focused hypnotherapy allows me to access your subconscious mind so we can deal with the root cause behind your fear of bees or wasps, and deal with those feelings while you stay calm. 

It also allows me to give you the tools you need to move past your phobia, enabling you to regain control of your life, without being afraid of insects. 

What to expect from a session with me

My Solution Focused approach can rid you of a phobia in just three sessions.  

Treatment begins with a free, roughly 25-minute Zoom consultation during which I find out all about you, the possible cause of your fear of insects, and what you want to achieve through hypnotherapy. 

Moving forward, during each hypnotherapy session, I will place you in a deeply relaxed state, before giving your subconscious mind all the tools it needs to process your phobia of bees or wasps, helping to reduce anxiety and eliminate feelings of panic. 

Case study 

I helped a client who had a severe phobia of wasps and bees. Within a few sessions, they told me their severe anxiety had reduced dramatically and their life was so much easier. 

“For anyone with a phobia that gives them a panic attack, this is really worth it. I can now sit outside and not be on the alert for wasps.”

Contact me 

Hypnotherapy can help you get over your fear of wasps, bees or any insects, allowing you to live life without being afraid. 

You can find me at Salus Wellness Clinics on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at Coach House Healthcare on Fridays.  I also hold online sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

If you would like to find out more about how hypnosis can help you get over apiphobia, spheksophobia or other specific phobias, book your FREE initial consultation.