Whether you’re a beekeeper or an accountant, it’s important to know what to do if you are chased by bees. These important but temperamental creatures are all around us, and it can be easy to provoke them by accident. If that were to happen to you, knowing what to do next is vital for your health and survival.

Don’t Swat at Them

When bees start to swarm you, you’ll naturally want to wave your hands and push them away. But this tactic will almost certainly end in greater turmoil. Bees don’t interpret swatting as a plea to be left alone. Instead, they’ll think of it as a sign of aggression from a predator. The bees will rise up and defend their queen.

Killing even one bee through swatting will only worsen the problem. First of all, bees are important to the wider ecosystem, and the world is a better place when more of them are alive. But a dead bee will also give off an “alarm scent,” which will bring other bees to their fallen sister. The last thing you want is to attract more bees.

Run in a Straight Line

One of the most important pieces of advice in this list of what to do if you’re chased by bees is that you must run away from bees in a straight line. During this time, you should be looking for some kind of shelter to protect you from the swarm. As you run, put your shirt or some other cloth over your head. This will protect your face and eyes from bee stings.

Don’t Jump into Water

Some people believe that an intelligent way to escape bees is to jump into a body of water. Bees cannot swim, so it’s understandable why someone would feel as though they had the advantage by submerging themselves. However, bees will simply hover above you while you swim. Once you go up for air, they’ll sting you all over again.

Find Shelter

For the best shelter against bees, look for a car or building. With a door closed firmly behind you, you’ll be fully safe and secure away from the bees.