I don't think I am imagining the stings. They aren't severe stings like a bee or anything, but they are annoying. Sweat bees are so named because they are attracted to human perspiration. When you brush them while they are drinking your sweat, they may sting.
Sweat bees are very small.
They are mostly black with light-colored transverse abdominal stripes. Sweat bees make small tunnels in the ground, where they lay their eggs and provision the nest with nectar and pollen. While they are considered solitary bees, several females may share a common nesting tunnel. Control is not necessary, nor is it even possible.