When swarming they often establish hives in tree trunks, old buildings, etc., but they are not far removed from the domestic bees. There are several species of honey bees the most common and gentle of which is the Italian honey bee. However, on cloudy days when they are unable to collect nectar, or if provoked, even the most gentle will sting. It is much worse for the bee. The stinger and much of its abdomen are torn from its body killing the bee.
Much care is taken by everyone in our industry to avoid killing honey bees.
Manufacturers of pesticides warn on the label if the chemical is toxic to bees and how to avoid contact with them. Professional users heed the label and plan applications to avoid killing honey bees. However, occasionally honey bees swarm at mating season and inadvertently form a colony inside a house or some other area shared by humans. If a beekeeper cannot remove them alive, we may be called. There are numerous pesticides that will kill bees.