Las Vegas, NV (KXNT) - Warmer weather and increased outdoor activity boost the possibility of people encountering bees in Southern Nevada. Bees are active year-round in our area, but tend to be most active from the spring to the fall when they are beginning to set up new hives, according to the Nevada Department of Agriculture. A swarm of bees is generally not harmful -- they are moving from place to place to colonize new hives.
“When you are outdoors, be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye out for bees the way you would watch out for snakes and other natural dangers,” said Clark County Fire Chief Billy Samuels. “If you accidentally encounter bees, do not disturb them. Remain calm and quietly move away, keeping yourself, your family members and pets out of harm’s way to avoid stinging incidents. Bees are generally docile unless they are disturbed or threatened.”
People who are sensitive to bee stings should consult their doctors about bee sting kits and procedures for using them. If someone is stung by a bee, becomes dizzy, nauseated or has difficulty breathing, an allergic reaction to the sting may be occurring. This is a serious medical emergency and 9-1-1 should be called immediately. These additional bee safety tips are recommended:
- Wear light-colored clothing when you are outdoors. Dark colors can attract bees.
- If bees attack, run away as fast as possible in a straight line, and take shelter inside a car or building. Use your arms and hands or a shirt, towel or similar item to shield your face and eyes from stings. Do not try to fight the bees by swatting at them. The more you flail your arms, the more aggressive the bees will get.
- Do not jump into water or thick brush -- neither provides adequate protection. If you jump into water, bees will attack you when you come up for air.
- After an attack, bees will continue to be agitated by loud or humming noises such as barking dogs, lawnmowers, weed eaters and flashing lights.
- When a bee stings, it leaves a stinger in the skin. This kills the bee so it can’t sting again but the venom remains. If you are stung, remove the stinger by scraping it out, wash the area with soap and water, and apply a cold pack to the sting site.
- If you are stung more than 10 times, you should seek medical attention as a precaution. Reaction to bee venom takes several hours, which may cause you to feel sick later.
For residents concerned about removing beehives from their property, it’s best to contact professional exterminators that use appropriate safety gear and clothing. The Nevada Pest Management Association maintains a list of licensed removal services on its Bee Hotline at (702) 385-5853 and on its website at www.nevadapma.org. Bees on public property should be reported to the respective government agency for control. Beehives in Clark County parks or on County property can be reported to the Parks and Recreation Department at (702) 455-8200, Monday through Thursday, during business hours.