Bugged by Fear of Bugs

Dear Dr. Bill:

I don't know how the weather was in your area, but we had one buggy summer! My 7-year-old daughter really had a problem with bees this year — she runs and screams and flails her arms whenever a buzzing bug — even a nonbee — approaches. My husband and I have both tried to explain that most bees are friendly and won't bother you if left alone. But our daughter is more likely to get stung by her hysterics. I don't want to lock my child inside all summer long, and I'd really like to help her overcome this irrational fear. What do you suggest we do?

— Stacy

Dear Stacy:

I wouldn't get particularly concerned about your daughter's fear of bees. Most adults I know (including my wife) are afraid of bees. A certain amount of healthy fear is normal, given that these little guys can really hurt you. If your daughter has been stung before, it's only natural that she would be afraid.

Of course, it's certainly not productive for her to run screaming and flailing her arms every time she sees a bee or some other insect. Her fear is probably based on a lack of information more than anything else. Adults who suffer from phobias usually know that their fear is irrational, but struggle with anxiety and avoidant behavior in spite of what they know to be true. Children's fears, on the other hand, often stem from the fact that they don't have a complete or accurate understanding of the thing they are afraid of.

One suggestion might be make a fun project out of helping her conquer her fears. Go to the library together and check out some books on insects. You might even find a book on beekeeping. Have your daughter learn about bees from the bee's perspective — how they live, how they make honey, and how they protect themselves when they feel threatened. Encourage her to draw some pictures of bees, labeling their body parts and functions.

You could even enlist her teacher's help in the project, asking her if your daughter could write a report on bees for extra credit. If you live near a rural area, you might even contact a local beekeeper and ask if you and your daughter could have a tour of the honey farm, with an insider's view of the honeycombs and the hives.

Who knows — your daughter may conquer her bee phobia and grow up to become a world-renowned professor of entomology!

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