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Distributed by SCA Neighborhood Watch:
Africanized Killer Bees are here – Beware!
On July 8, a Big Sky Village resident was out walking his two dogs. He was passing by a home where workers were removing plywood from a garage that had been boarded up due to a house fire a few months earlier. Suddenly, a swarm of Africanized killer bees swarmed out and attacked him and his dogs. His calls for help were answered by a nearby resident, who called 911. In the man’s words, “She saved my life”. A Henderson Fire Department EMS vehicle arrived very quickly. Another neighbor helped put the dogs into the EMS vehicle. The man was rushed to the hospital with over 100 bee stings. The dogs suffered dozens of bee stings. Tragically, one of the dogs died. The man is now recovering well from this horrible incident.
There are reports of two other bee attacks in Sun City Anthem. For your safety—as well as the safety of your neighbors and pets—please exercise extra caution while outdoors. We encourage all residents to carefully inspect their property for any signs of bee activity or hives. If a hive is found, please contact a licensed pest control company promptly to ensure it is safely and professionally removed.
Africanized honeybees often build colonies in unique places like vacant buildings, tires, crates, boxes, grills, exposed tree limbs, overturned flowerpots, water meter boxes, empty spaces, or cavities and holes in the ground. They do not actively search for humans to attack, but will exhibit aggressive hive defense, employing a larger alarm zone and a higher ratio of guard bees to initiate defenses. Africanized bees are a hybrid species that excel in aggression. When locating a suspect colony of Africanized honeybees, keep your distance and contact your local beekeeper.
Africanized killer bee removal companies (not a recommendation, solely for your consideration)
Vegas Bees http://www.vegasbees.com/
612 Thrush Drive Las Vegas (702) 472-3869
Pest Control Solutions http://www.pestcontrolsolutionsinc.com
1600 Raiders Way (702) 847-8788
EcoGen Pest Control ecogenpest.com
3696 N Rancho Dr Las Vegas (702) 960-0848
How to Protect Yourself from Africanized Killer Bees
- Avoid Provoking Them
- Stay away from hives. Don’t disturb bee colonies or swarms—especially in areas known for Africanized bees
- Don’t swat at bees. Rapid movements agitate them.
- Avoid loud noises (e.g., lawn mowers, chainsaws), which can trigger aggression near a hive.
- Be Cautious Outdoors
- Wear light-colored clothing. Bees are more likely to attack dark or brightly colored clothing.
- Avoid strong scents. Perfume, scented lotions, and hair products can attract bees.
- Be careful near water. Bees are drawn to water sources like fountains, pools, and animal waterers.
- Bee-Proof Your Property
- Seal cracks and holes in walls, eaves, and fences where bees can nest.
- Inspect sheds, attics, and crawl spaces.
- Hire a professional to remove any hives or swarms.
- If Bees Attack: Get Away Quickly
- Run in a straight line. Do NOT stop to swat.
- Cover your face, especially eyes, nose, and mouth. Use your shirt or jacket.
- Do NOT jump into water. Bees may wait above the surface.
- Get indoors or into a vehicle as fast as possible.
- After an Attack
- Remove stingers by scraping them out with a credit card or fingernail (don’t use tweezers—they squeeze more venom in).
- Wash the stings with soap and water.
- Apply cold packs to reduce swelling.
- Seek emergency help if:
– You’ve been stung multiple times (over 10–20 stings)
– You feel dizzy, have trouble breathing, or break out in hives
– You’re allergic to bee stings
Extra Tips
- Africanized bees often defend their hive in large numbers and chase perceived threats for up to ¼ mile.
- Pets should also be kept away from wild bee colonies.
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