In South Texas it is not uncommon to hear a strange noise while you are out in the pasture. It is an ominous muffled buzzing sound with overtones of a breeze blowing through mesquite leaves. If you recognize the sound for what it is, and if you are quick enough and look up in time, you may see the cause as it passes overhead.
Not long ago we got word that a neighbor on a ranch nearby had been attacked by Africanized “killer” bees. The injuries were many but not life threatening. This kind of news is becoming more and more common. A friend was attacked a few years ago as he was driving a bulldozer, clearing brush. He managed to get to his truck, but was stung many times. Luckily he was not allergic to bee stings and got off with just a few dozen nasty red welts on his hide. Still, deaths from such attacks are reported almost every year now.
Not long ago my wife had walked down to the barn to feed our ancient horse, Festus. Festus is now 32 years old. I took pity on him about 4 or 5 years ago when my daughter and son-in-law were going to retire the old guy to a ranch in West Texas. They were just going to turn him loose to make his own way, living on grass and whatever other nourishment he could grub out of the Davis Mountains. I knew he could not survive on that kind of diet, and told Lindy and David they could leave Festus with us. Kandace and I would feed the old horse until he died of natural causes, which I figured wouldn’t be all that long. Well, obviously I was wrong, and Festus is still with us. We are quickly coming to the realization that he may be immortal.
Now where was I? Oh, yeah, Kandace at the barn. Anyway, we were going somewhere, so I drove down to the barn to pick Kandace up. As I drove around the back side of the barn I noticed something odd hanging from the branch of a huisatche bush. Closer inspection revealed it to be a swarm of bees about the size and shape of a ripe pineapple.
I drove on around and got Kandace in the truck, then drove back to the house for my camera. I shot a few photos of the bees and then destroyed them to prevent damage to Festus, the dogs, cats, or us.
This is not the first such beeswarm I have seen. During the spring of the year they are quite common across the Brush Country and I regularly hear such swarms as they fly overhead looking for new lodgings. In the past it didn’t bother me as they were basically harmless, but with the advent of the Africanized bees their noncombatant status is no longer certain. These days I try to give bee swarms and hives a wide berth.
You should not haved destroyed the bees. The odds of getting attacked by killer bees has to be up there with lighting strikes. Bees have been on a serious decline for several years and they are a very vital part of our food chain. I have lived for maore than 20 years with a wild bee hive in a Hackberry tree in my backyard.I feed them three cans of Big Red a week, they love it. We as outdoorsmen should guard and protect all of our great outdoors no matter how small.
You are welcome to live with bees if you want. I did not want to destroy them, but the welfare of my family, especially my grandkids is more important to me than a swarm of bees. I can’t tell at a glance if they are “killer bees” or not, and the only way I know to find out is to wait until they attack — or don’t. I prefer not to wait for that decision on their part.
As for the odds of being attacked by Africanized bees being “up there with lightning strikes,” that is just off-the-cuff nonsense. I personally know of four people who have been attacked by bees here in Kinney County, but I have not heard of anyone being struck by lightning. Neither have I ever heard of lightning chasing someone a half-mile across the pasture striking him repeatedly until he could find sanctuary in his pickup. If you are going to try to chastise me in a public forum, be realistic about it.
This kind of silly, sanctimonious, politically correct hyperbole is a greater danger to the great outdoors and those who enjoy it than all the killer bees in Texas. If the bees want to live in peace, all they have to do is live somewhere they are not a danger to me or mine.
And before you post some indignant comment in response to this, just be advised, I will not be drawn into an argument with you on the internet. Now go feed your pet bees another Big Red.
Steve,
I grew up with a number of hives around our property as my Dad maintained the hives as a hobby and we enjoyed the honey.
However, when we would have a “swarm” of bees, from outside our local hives, arrive, we would place moth balls near the swarm spot to get them to move on.
I’m the last guy to get involved in a “group hug” with a swarm of domestic or “Africanized” honeybees, or even a Yellow Jacket, but a local beekeeper would have been available to get rid of them, almost as quick as you did.
That being said, they needed to go away, one way or another.
Gentlemen,
I understand all those things. I am aware of the decrease in the number of honey bees, which distresses me, also. However, I doubt seriously that my destroying a swarm every few years on my little ranchette, is going to be the final straw.
The problem is, you see, that I live in a very rural area. I know of no beekeepers in this county.
I have had problems with bees before. Once they were just ordinary bees, but once they were Africanized. They stung the heck out of the exterminator I called to get them out of my travel trailer, and he was wearing a bee suit.
A couple of years ago a buddy of mine was working on his ranch, about 2 miles from here, clearing brush with a small bulldozer. He was attacked by a swarm that chased him a half-mile back to his truck. He had stings on his stings. He was told that the Africanized bees seem to be aroused by the sound of a diesel motor. Quien sabe.
A month or so ago, just across the highway from my place, a man was attacked by “killer bees.”
Every year we have someone attacked by bees in this area.
If there was a simple and quick way to get rid of the bees without killing them, I would certainly do so. However, there is not, so any bees that can possibly threaten my family or me are going the way of the last swarm. Sorry, but that’s life on the Border.
Steve, Among other things, I am a bee keeper. I can understand your fright at what might happen with Aficanized bees, but realize that all bees are not Africanized. Normally, bees only will get aggressive if their hive is threatened. All bees do this, but Africanized bees are worse about it. And, the colonies that are Africanized, are getting that strain more diluted everyday. What that other guy told you, is correct. Bee colonies across the nation, are down about 35%, and our farmers are hurting because of it. If you happen to see a swarm of bees, that have landed on a limb, or somewhere else, it is best to call a bee keeper right then, rather than try to deal with them yourself. Several reasons for this. While swarms are normally very docile, sometimes, they will get aggressive, and if you are not prepared for that, it can be painful. Also, when a swarm has balled on a limb, there are scouts out, looking for a home. The home they find, might be your eaves, and then it can be an expensive proposition, to get them out. And, if the beekeeper gets them, he can manage them for the honey and pollination. If you are ever attacked by bees, the best thing you can do, is seek shelter in a car or house. Bees cannot stand enclosure, and will leave you, to go to the windows, and attempt to get out. If you get a lot of stings, or are allergic, take benedryl asap, and go to the ER or doctor. Chick.
I forgot to mention, you can normally contact your County Agriculture Extension Agent, for information on area bee keepers.
Did that. Ain’t none.
What county do you live in?
If you tell me the county, and/or closest city, and can probably locate a bee keeper near you that might can help in the future.
Chick, I live in Kinney County. The only town in the county is Brackettville.
I looked, but could find no beekeepers in the surrounding counties who would take the time and expence to come for a swarm of bees. However, knock yourself out. If you find anything, send to my private email address.
Actually you can easily identify what kind of bee that you have.
The docile & gentle Europeans or the more dangerous and angry Africanized bees.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrvNibjRM0c