The Scary Bee Swarm
Why Bees Swarm
Every now and then, you hear about a bee swarm and wonder
what makes them do it.
Disruptive Bee Swarms
In Little Rock, Arkansas, one spring, a swarm of bees
estimated to be about 7,000 strong forced a hospital
emergency room to shut down. A beekeeper was called to
vacuum up the bees and take them away. The ER was closed to
protect patients and visitors who might be allergic to bee
stings, whether they know it or not.
In Redondo Beach, California, the Fire Department reported
that it receives and responds to about 18 calls per month
about bee swarms. The Fire Department will treat multiple
bee sting injuries or people who are allergic to bee stings
and have been stung, but they will not remove hives from
private property. They advised residents to bee-proof their
homes as a preventive measure by removing items bees can use
for hives, like old tires, boxes, containers, and wood
piles. Residents should never attack a bee swarm with a can
of bug spray, as this will stir up the bees and make the
situation even worse.
Why They Swarm
Beekeeper Harvey Johnston, who removed the beehive from the
Little Rock hospital emergency room, says bees swarm because
the hive gets overcrowded. The queen leaves the crowded
hive, and a portion of the bees leave with her, all at
once.
The Redondo Beach Fire Department, however, reports that
bees also swarm to protect the location of their hives. The
African bee, which is more aggressive than the European
honey bee, is much more likely to swarm as a hive protecting
measure, especially when the honeycomb is at its most
productive.
Unfortunately, these bees respond to vibrations in the air
up to 200 feet away from the hive, so they can be attracted
by the sound waves from a lawnmower or chainsaw, or even an
outdoor stereo system playing music at high volume.
What to Do When Bees Swarm
If you find yourself in the midst of a bee swarm, move
calmly to the nearest indoor shelter. Take any pets indoors
with you, as just a few bee stings can kill your beloved dog
or cat. If you are outdoors without shelter but there is a
river or lake nearby, get into the water, and take your pets
with you.
Remember, most bees mean you no harm. Bees pollinate more
than one-third of the food crops we need to survive as
humans, and even more crops that feed non-human animals.
They also produce honey and wax. Bees are not pests; they
are valuable members of society.
Charlie Reese likes learning about bees and bumble bees.
Charlie lectures about them and is known to be a bee expert.
Charlie also likes to get
(http://yogaandyogaandyoga.blogspot.com) yoga and
(http://yogaandyogaandyoga.blogspot.com) yoga classes.
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