Giant bees live in hives (honeybees) or nests (bumblebees). These lairs will contain non-combatant queens (10 HD but no effective attack) and 2d3 non-combatant drones (2 HD and no effective attack). A giant bee can only sting once per encounter; it has a 25% chance of dying after stinging, otherwise the stinger will slowly regrow. They will flee from smoke or fire unless their lair is threatened.

Giant bee hives or nests will always contain honey worth 10d10 gold pieces. There is a 15% chance that a hive will contain royal jelly. If it does, the royal jelly can be fashioned into 2d3 potions of extra healing by a magic user of 7th or higher level—or a magic user of 12th level or higher may make it into an unguent which preserves the appearance of youth. Regular application of this unguent for 1 year makes the user appear 2d3 years younger. Such an unguent is typically worth 3d6x1,000 gp to wealthy noblewomen.