Bee Swarm Locks Down Phoenix Neighborhood

PHOENIX --

A swarm of bees went on the attack Wednesday afternoon, prompting firefighters to warn dozens of residents to stay in their homes.

• Interactive: Track Bee Hot Spots

The woman found the bees making their home among a stack of wood in her backyard near 7th Avenue and Bell Road and attempted to remove the hive on her own, firefighters said.

The homeowner called a couple of friends over to help her with the bees, said Deputy Chief Frank Solomon of the Phoenix Fire Department. Solomon said the friends put plastic bags over their head and tried to remove the bees from the wood stack.

The bees got agitated and stung the homeowner on the hand several times and one of her friends on the head at least five times, Solomon said. Realizing she could not handle the situation on her own, the homeowner called 911.

Solomon said when firefighters arrived, the bees swarmed their fire truck, forcing them to put on protective gear before getting out of the truck and rushing to the victims.

The swarm was erratic and firefighters asked that the reverse 911 system be used. Solomon said 57 homes in the direct area were called and told in English and Spanish to stay inside their homes because of a nearby bee problem.

Firefighters called in a beekeeper at the homeowner’s expense. Together, the beekeeper and the fire department killed the bees and removed the hive.

The homeowner did not need medical attention. Her friend was taken to the hospital as a precaution and released a couple of hours later.

Solomon said this is a perfect example of why homeowners should never try to deal with a beehive on their own.

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