In a scene that could have been ripped out of the movie Wicker Man, a swarm of 800,000 bees attacked a group of garden workers tending the lawn at a southern Arizona home, injuring one and killing another on Oct. 8.

The bees came from a massive hive that measured three feet by eight feet and had probably been accumulating for the past decade, spreading into the eaves and attic of the home of a 90-year-old man.

The crew from Douglas ARC, a company that finds work for adults with developmental disabilities, was cutting the grass and weeding the homeowner's lawn. When the lawnmower started running, the cloud of bees swarmed around them and began to sting.

Although the species of the bees has not been officially identified, Fire Chief Mario Novoa, whose team responded to the 911 emergency call, said that all bee attacks are presumed to have been by Africanized honeybees since "there are not many European honeybees left."

The workers were not identified by authorities.

One member was reportedly stung 100 times and released from the hospital. Another died of a heart attack at the hospital as his face and neck were covered in bees. Two other members of the gardening crew were also stung but refused treatment. A neighbor caught in the swarm was able to drive herself to the hospital.

Exterminators came to destroy the hive, which filled a 55-gallon drum.

Novoa said that the Fire Department receives an average of two calls a week regarding bee hives, but the scale of this attack was out of the ordinary.

Although it is not known what triggered the swarm to attack the workers, it is possible that the sound of the lawnmower agitated the bees enough to make them feel threatened. Insects in general are bothered by loud noises and are attracted to strong odors and shiny objects.

Since it is impossible to tell the difference between European honeybees and the infamous Africanized honeybees, one's best best when encountering a hive is to stay away and call professional exterminators immediately.

If the bees begin to swarm and attack, protect your face and neck with a jacket and avoid the urge to jump into water to escape. Africanized honeybees are said to be notorious for waiting above the water until you come up for air.

ⓒ 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Join the Discussion