Officials Warn Of Bee Attacks

Fayette County emergency crews responded to a bee attack August 1 in Schulenburg. This is the third “bee swarm” related incident in the past two days according to Fayette County EMS Director Josh Vandever and he is urging caution when mowing or taking part in outdoor activities.

“We have responded to three bee “swarm” related incidents in the last two days and each one seems to be increasing in severity. In the last incident Drew Brossmann, Schulenburg Volunteer Fire Department’s assistant chief was first on the scene and sprayed the victim with a fire extinguisher. Other VFD members responded as well, and using fire extinguishers, were able to move the victim to the driveway where our EMS crews were stationed,” Vandever said.

Brossmann added that the victim was mowing in the backyard along a fence line near a wooded area when he was attacked.

“He was just mowing and it set the bees off. When I got there he was lying on his side spraying himself and the bees with a water hose. I grabbed my fire extinguisher and just starting dousing him and me. When the other firemen got there, they started doing the same thing and we were eventually able to get him to his driveway. EMS crews arrived on scene at the same time and were able to get him in the ambulance and start treatment,” he said.

Several of the first responders were stung as well with one reacting to the stings, Brossmann said. The victim was flown by medical helicopter to Dell Seton Medical Center in Austin and was reported to have been stung at least 1,000 times and one EMS crew member was transported to a local emergency department as well after experiencing an anaphylactic reaction.

“The fire department along with Schulenburg first responders put on bee suits and scanned the area to try to find the origin of a hive. After searching the property they were unable to determine where the bees originally came from although it’s possible the hive was in one of the trees in the wooded area,” he said.

Vandever offered some suggestions on how to avoid bee attacks, including avoiding mowing and working outside in the heat of the day when bees are most likely to be agitated.

“If you find yourself in a swarm, the best thing you can do is try to get as far away from the initial point of attack as possible. Bees are likely to lose interest the further away from their home you get. Carrying an epi pen or similar medicine prescribed by your physician is vitally important this time of year, especially if you’re allergic to bees, ants, and other stinging insects.”

Other ways to avoid stings include:

• Stay still. The first rule when a bee or wasp approaches is to stay still.

• Never swat or slap at a bee or wasp.

• Be careful when you shake out clothing that was left on the ground. Wasps or other stinging insects could be in the folds of the clothing. The same advice works for any item you touch outdoors.

•Avoid orchards in bloom, clover fields, and any areas that are abundant with flowers, especially if you’re allergic to bees. If you go to one of these spots, keep these other general rules to prevent being stung.

• Don’t wear bright clothing, perfume, or hair sprays outside for long periods. Or, at least, don’t wear them in large, blooming fields. All of these items attract stinging insects.

• Use the skills of an exterminator or the local fire department to remove hornet nests. Beekeepers will often be glad to come to your property and relocate a bee colony, too. To find local solutions, ask around on social media or in your social circles.

• If you experience a severe reaction to the venom of bees and wasps, seek emergency medical treatment immediately.

• Never try to hide or escape by jumping into water. Bees may wait for you above the surface. You also put yourself at an increased risk of drowning if your body has a reaction to the stings you’ve already experienced.

• Try to run through and/ or to shaded areas far from the hive. Bee’s lose interest more quickly in shaded environments and are more energized in hot, sunny environments.