SAN ANTONIO -- Whether they’re honey bees or Africanized honey bees, the pesky insect is sticking around South Texas longer than usual because of the weather.
William Gary of Biz-zz Bee Farms was making another house call Friday. This time he was helping the Duier family who just discovered bees inside their storage shed in south San Antonio.
“I was surprised they’re here,” said Lucille Duier.
However, the Duier’s aren’t the only ones surprised to see so many bees still buzzing. Gary said because of the warm weather and rain most bees should be gone by now, but aren’t.
“They’re still swarming, which is highly unusual for this time of the year," he said. "Middle of October usually they’re starting to slow down for the year, they know winter is coming and they’re getting ready to hibernate, but they’re still swarming, starting new hives.”
Whether it’s the common honey bee, or Africanized honey bee the insect can be dangerous. And those allergic can have far worse reactions. Last week 65-year-old Bexar county resident Juan Urrita died after he was attacked by bees swarming around his home.
“One or two stings can put someone who is allergic in the hospital, a few more can kill them. So it’s definitely something you don’t want to risk messing with,” said Gary.
Biz-zz Bee Farms removed the bees from Urrita’s home after he was attacked. Gary said testing will have to be done to determine what type of bees stung Urrita, but he presumes the bees were part Africanized.
