Bees a concern to many

Of the 288 readers who participated in last week’s informal InMaricopa.com poll, 42 percent said they were concerned about swarming bees.

Maricopa lies in the migratory path of bees, and two people recently were transported to the hospital after a hive was disturbed.

The Maricopa Fire Department offers the following safety tips to avoid bee problems:
• Close all windows and doors.
• Do not attempt to move bees (don't throw objects at the swarm or squirt with water).
• Have swarms removed that are close to daycare centers, schools or densely populated areas or if they show aggressive behavior or do not leave the area within a few days.

MFD also said:
• Swarms typically are transient – they may set up temporary shelter in a tree for a few hours or even days before moving on.
• Killing non-Africanized swarms only strengthens the Africanized population. Non-aggressive bees are essential in nature.
• If a beekeeper or exterminator is contacted for bees on private property, the owner/occupant assumes financial responsibility for the services.
• The Maricopa Fire Department does not typically eradicate bee swarms unless special circumstances are present, such as aggressive, attacking bees that cannot be isolated from the public by reasonable means.

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