Fire department highlights bee safety measures
The image of actors jumping into a body of water may come to mind when one is trying to avoid a bee attack, but the Yuma Fire Department says there are better safety measures when it comes to dealing with this buzzing problem.
At the end of July, YFD responded to a case of a person receiving multiple bee stings. According to YFD, every year the department will be asked to respond to bee swarms.
Bee sting deaths are rare; however, they do occur and people with allergies are particularly at risk, said YFD spokesman Mike Erfert.
The length of stay for a bee swarm in one location can vary from a couple of hours to indefinitely as bees take up residence there.
While YFD reminds residents that not all bees are Africanized bees or “killer bees,” caution should be taken when outdoors hiking, hunting, fishing, biking or when engaging in various other outdoor recreation or activities.
“It comes down to prevention and reminding people that if they were to encounter a swarm, to leave it alone and do not disturb it,” Erfert said.
Although bees will not form a large swarm and “hunt” for someone like they are depicted as doing in fictional films, they will defend themselves aggressively, Erfert noted.
In the case of a bee attack, YFD advises to run away quickly until shelter is reached, such as a vehicle or building.
YFD instructs not to stand still in an attempt to fool the bees, not to try and fight the bees as they have the advantage of numbers, and not to jump into water, especially canals which can pose more of a danger than the bees.
Efert explained bees will wait for a person to come for air after they have jumped into water to avoid them. Additionally, YFD advises the community not to swat at bees or flail their arms.
YFD offered some helpful tips too, such as wearing light colored clothing, checking the yard regularly, filling cracks and crevices in walls, and removing piles of junk from the yard.
According to the National Park Service, bee experts recommend light clothing as bees seem to be less attracted to these colors.
Warning signs of a bee attack can include flying at the face and buzzing around the head. Community members should always keep away from bee colonies/swarms.
“YFD will respond if someone is being attacked or being injured, but otherwise, if you are just seeing a swarm, contacting a bee keeper is probably your best bet and, if necessary, an exterminator,” Erfert said.
The YFD Public Information Office can be reached at (928) 373-4855.