Walk outside, you can just smell it! Everything is in bloom and coming out. “And so are the Bee’s says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.” Bees must be taken seriously. Stings can be life threatening. Parents, take some time to tell your children what to do if there are bees in the area.
Normally, people and bees coexist, however, Bee attacks generally occur when bees are swarming or if they are protecting their hive. If a person attempts to remove the bees or hive or by swatting at them, startling them with power equipment such as lawn mowers or blowers, a stinging emergency can happen.
A swarm is a small colony looking to establish a new colony. If you notice a swarm that is not attacking, walk slowly and quietly away from it and find shelter in a building or vehicle.
Be cautious when dealing with bees says Chief DiGiovanna. Leave bees alone, but if you are attacked:
· Cover your face
· Run immediately into a building or vehicle
· Do not swat at the bees
· Do not jump into a pool (some varieties of bees will wait for you to come up for air)
· Call 9-1-1 if someone is being attacked
Contact a bee removal expert for swarm and hive removal.
Do not try to remove the bees yourself, call 9-1-1 if the bees are attacking and someone is in a life-threatening situation.
Now is a good time to inspect your home and yard for signs of bees. Swarms look for cavities in trees, eaves and walls as potential nesting sites. Openings should be filled or covered with a solid cover or fine mesh screening. Bees are also attracted to debris piles or overturned flower pots. When removing any debris, always look before you place your hand under or into something. Use the same caution when working around air conditioners, coolers, electrical boxes or water meters.
Contact your local fire department for additional information and Bee Careful!
Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
