Safety Regarding Bees

WE WANT YOU TO BEE SAFE

• Honey Bees, whether Africanized or not, are here to stay. Don't bug the buzzy bees! Bee smart and stay away from the bees.

BEE-PROOF YOUR HOME

• Remove or block possible nesting or hive sites.
• Seal all openings to your walls or roof on the outside of your home.
• Frequently inspect all outside walls and eaves for evidence of nests/hives.
• Install fine mesh screening over rain spouts/gutters, vents and openings into water meters.
• From the spring through the fall, bee aware of increased bee activity near your home and yard.

BEE SAFE BY PROTECTING YOURSELF

• Keep children and pets indoors when doing yard work if bees have been active recently.
• Bee alert for bee activity when entering any shed or outside storage building.
• Check for bee activity nearby prior to chopping weeds, using mowers in deep grass or using any power equipment.
• Bees feel threatened by loud noises.

BEE ALERT

• Teach children to bee cautious, by staying away from all bees. All bees will attack to protect themselves and their hives. Africanized bees are simply much more aggessive and protective.
• If you hear the buzzing of a bee swarm, leave the area quickly, but do not run unless attacked.
• If the bees are not threatening or attacking, leave them alone. They are a very important part of our environment.

IF YOU ARE ATTACKED

• Run as fast as you can without stopping until you reach shelter.
• Run to the closest shelter.
• Cover your face with clothing or your hands while escaping.

IF YOU ARE STUNG

• Seek shelter.
• Remove the stinger by scraping your skin with the edge of a credit card, driver's license, finger nail, or other similar device.
• Don't try to use tweezers or your fingers to pick out the stinger. This will only squeeze out more poison/venom into your body.
• Wash the sting site with mild soap and water.
• Apply an ice pack or other cold pack to relieve the pain, being cautious not to cause frost bite or frost nip.
• IF YOUR LIPS, TONGUE, THROAT OR FACE BEGIN TO SWELL OR ITCH, OR IF YOU BEGIN TO HAVE DIFFICULTY BREATHING, THIS MAY BE A LIFE THREATENING ALLERGIC REACTION AND YOU MUST CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY!