TOPIC: Beware - Killer bee's.

I know we all run into situations just by the nature of the job we do, but what I ran into last Wednesday was'nt very pleasant at all and put me in hospital.

Working my way down the side of the empty house I was inspecting in Surprise/Phoenix, AZ, I rounded the corner and found myself being agressively attacked by a swarm of Africanized Bee's that were nesting in the A/C compressor.  I walked slowly away to the far side of the yard and stood still while they did their stinging thing on my arms, legs and head. 

After a minute or two and resisting having a swat back at them, most went back to the compressor, just leaving a few who kept dive-bombing me.  In all I had 116 stings, but they didn't hurt too much after the first few minutes, although I didn't hang around to complete the inspection.

On Thursday morning I woke up and couldn't open my eyes very wide.  My face was swollen and the stings were all red and raised, so my wife took me to the ER.  That was when I realised just how serious this type of thing is, as I was pulled out of line by the triage nurse and soon found myself in a bed being pumped full of drugs and a drip in my arm.

Please be aware these bee's are killers and this could easily happen to you.  If it does, do exactly what I did and then get treatment right away.  It's already cost me three inspections and although I'm home now, I'll probably be off work for a few more days, until I finish my course of drugs (which make you lethargic and very short of energy).

I hope my next post will be more interesting, but I just wanted to warn you all.

Hey Ray,

Wow! That really sounds bad. Hopefully you're feeling better today. Did they wake up after you turned the A/C on or just because you were near them?

They just took an instant dislike to me I think.  I was still waiting for the Rraltor to provide the lockbox code (you know how that goes), so the A/C wasn't on.

I'm feeling much better today an digging into my new software, so that I can get up and running with it, possibly as soon as next week!

Yeah, anytime you get stung by anything that many times... Just head straight to the hospital.  You are lucky to still be alive!!!

This is from a Scoutmaster (me) - The rule of thumb when that happens is to cover your face and ears as best as possible and roll on the ground.  Stings to your head and face are the most dangerous.  If there is a water source, try to use it - hose, pond, whatever.  Letting them sting you is a mistake as it loads you with the poison.  After the attack, try to remove as many stingers as possible as they continue to pump venom.  Do NOT remove them with your fingers as you will squish more venom inside you.  It is best to remove them by scraping, best with a credit card.

They probably dripped you with epinephrin at the hospital.  Had you been allergic you would have been dead in an hour.

Ray - I don't think we are linked.  If you want to link sites, let me know off line.

This is from a Scoutmaster (me) - The rule of thumb when that happens is to cover your face and ears as best as possible and roll on the ground.  Stings to your head and face are the most dangerous.  If there is a water source, try to use it - hose, pond, whatever.  Letting them sting you is a mistake as it loads you with the poison.  After the attack, try to remove as many stingers as possible as they continue to pump venom.  Do NOT remove them with your fingers as you will squish more venom inside you.  It is best to remove them by scraping, best with a credit card.

They probably dripped you with epinephrin at the hospital.  Had you been allergic you would have been dead in an hour.

Ray - I don't think we are linked.  If you want to link sites, let me know off line.

Hey thanks for posting that.  You teach or remind us all of the proper actions to take.  Karma for you!!!