All About Bees in Minecraft: Finding, Catching, and Keeping Them

Bees! Those fuzzy, buzzy little creatures are definitely contenders for the cutest mobs in Minecraft. That is until you anger them, of course. They're more than just cute, though. Remember the Buzzy Bees update? It was a big deal, showing just how important these little guys are to the game. So, naturally, you might want to find them, learn what they do, and maybe even keep a few around.

This guide will tell you everything you need to know to locate bees in Minecraft. We'll chat about their favorite spots, what they do, and how to bring them back to your base.

Where Do Bees Hang Out?

Bees are strictly overworld creatures. You won't find them in the Nether or the End. When it comes to specific areas, they love the meadow biome more than anywhere else. Meadows are beautiful, flowery areas often found in the mountains. This biome was added in the 1.18 update.

Besides meadows, you might also see bees in plains, sunflower plains, flower forests, regular forests, and birch forests. The chances of them appearing in these areas are much lower. The best bet outside of meadows is either the regular plains or sunflower plains biomes, but even then, the chance is only about 5%.

Keep in mind that, unlike many other mobs, bees usually spawn in groups of 1-3 individuals. So always have an eye out to find more bees nearby the spawning location.

Spotting Bees: What to Look For

Okay, so you're in the right kind of biome. How do you actually FIND the bees? Here are a few things to watch out for:

• Bee Nests: These are like little bee apartments, and they're the most obvious sign that bees are nearby. A bee nest can house up to three bees at a time. Bees without a home will wander around looking for an empty nest. So, keep your eyes peeled for the nests, and you'll probably find bees eventually. Bees usually head back to their nests at night or when it rains. Once inside, they take a break for about two minutes before heading back out. Keep in mind that baby bees will always stay inside their nests, so there will always be at least one bee in the nests at all times.
• Oak and Birch Trees: Bee nests don't just appear anywhere. They're almost always attached to oak or birch trees. When you're searching, focus on these two types of trees. Sometimes, even oak or birch saplings that grow into trees will have a bee nest. This only happens if there are flowers close by. The chance of a sapling growing into a tree with a bee nest is low (less than 5%), but it's worth keeping in mind. One thing that you can do is to grow 10-20 oak/birch trees in flower forests to get a head start in bee farming.

Getting Bees to Your Base: Capture Methods

Alright, you've found some bees. Now, how do you get them back to your base? Bees don't stay in one place for very long, even if it's their home. So, follow these tips to take them home:

• Silk Touch Pickaxe: The safest way to move bees. If you try to break a bee nest, the bees inside will get angry and sting you. A pickaxe with the Silk Touch enchantment lets you mine the nest without disturbing the bees. They stay inside, safe and sound. Then, you can put the nest on an oak or birch tree at your base, and the bees will come out and start exploring. One thing to remember: bees in the Java edition don't like water; it hurts them. Don't put the nest somewhere where they'll get rained on or near bodies of water.
• Leads: You can put a lead on a bee just like you would with a horse or a dog. Craft a lead, attach it to the bee, and you can then drag it wherever you want. To make a lead, you'll need a slime ball and four strings. Use a crafting table with the ingredients in the correct pattern, and you're all set. Do keep in mind that bees can wander to other directions on their own, so make sure to keep yourself between the bee that you're leading and it's destination.
• Flowers: This is the easiest way to move bees short distances. Hold a flower, and the bees will follow you. Use this to guide them into an enclosed area or toward your base. One risk to keep in mind is that you're slower than the bees when they follow you. This can result in you and some bees being separated if you travel long distances.

Bees: More Than Just Buzzing Decorations

Now you know how to find, capture, and keep bees in Minecraft! Bees can help you level up your base and collect honey and honeycombs. Try not to make them angry, or they'll attack you, and they usually attack as a group. If you do get stung, make sure that you have armor. Bees can be really useful. Some players even use them to defend their bases, by stinging other mobs when they try to attack. So, are you ready to start your bee adventure? Let us know why bees interest you the most in the comments below!