Bees in Central Texas Pose Potential Threat
Experts say there are more bees in Texas this year than in years past. Photo courtesy flickr.com/photos/124330160Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
A 40-year-old man is now in stable condition after being stung by bees about 300 times this morning in Pflugerville. Experts say there are more bees in Central Texas this year than there have been in years past.
The Texas AgriLife Extension Office says they’re seeing higher populations of most types of insects this year, including aphids, cicadas and bees. Wizzie Brown is an extension program specialist.
“Since we’ve been having more rain this year, there have been more plants available as a food source,” Brown says. “The honeybees have an opportunity to collect nectar, so there do tend to be more numbers. I’ve been getting more calls on bees than I have the past few years.”
Keith Huddle owns Keith’s Bee Service in Pflugerville. He says if you have a hive around your home, you should have it removed – no matter how harmless the bees may seem.
“A hive you mow next to and trim trees next to one week is not guaranteed to accept that same kind of vibration and noise next week,” Huddle says.
The problem is that all wild bee populations are somewhat Africanized, he says, and the more aggressive a queen bee is, the more aggressive the hive will be. Huddle says with the number of hives he’s been asked to remove this year, it’s surprising there haven’t been any fatal incidents.
“Bees are not a joke – they can kill you,” he says. “They don’t always fall into the, ‘It’s okay’ category. It’s just not that kind of an insect.”
If you have a hive that needs removing, Brown and Huddle agree: It’s best to call an expert.
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