MVPD Safety Tips  

Bee Safe!

Africanized and European honey bees have firmly established colonies in the United States, and now their swarms are making news in Riverside County. The following information will explain what to do if you’re caught in a bee swarm.

A swarm is basically moving day for a colony. Bees will fly up to five miles from their current hive looking for a new place to call home. To ensure they don’t pick yours, check around your property at least once a month for signs of bees. Pay attention to any bees you might see coming in and out of openings like a crack in the wall or hole in your water meter box.

If you find a swarm or colony on your property, leave it alone and keep your family and pets away. Contact a pest control company or local beekeeper to take care of the bees. If you happen to see a swarm or colony in public property, call Moreno Valley’s Code and Neighborhood Services at 951.413.3340.

In the event of an actual bee attack, follow these safety tips:

• Get away as quickly as possible.
• Don’t stand still and swat at the bees. The rapid movement and flailing motion of your arms will only agitate them further.
• Run and keep running. Bees can fly up to 15 miles per hour and can follow people for up to a quarter of a mile.
• While running, protect your eyes and face as much as possible.
• Do NOT jump into water. Bees will wait for you to come up for air.
• Find shelter in a house or car and close windows and doors. Some bees may enter with you, but it is better than being out in the open with hundreds of attacking bees.
• Scrape stingers from your skin as soon as possible with a flat object such as a credit card or fingernail. Most venom is released within one minute of being stung.
• Don’t try and pull stingers out. Grabbing at the stinger may force more venom into your skin.
• Wash stung areas with soap and water to prevent infection.
• Apply ice to relieve pain and swelling.
• Seek medical attention if you have difficulty breathing, were stung more than 15 times, or if you’re allergic to bee stings.

If you see someone being stung by Africanized Honey Bees, call 9-1-1 immediately. Most Fire Departments, including Moreno Valley’s, will respond to Africanized Honey Bee calls if someone is in immediate danger. You can find out more about bee safety by watching a video MVTV-3 has prepared. Cable TV subscribers in Moreno Valley can see the video on Channel 3 throughout the month of April at 8 a.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Call 951.413.3053 for more information.

For Emergencies or Additional Information...

• If you see a swarm in Moreno Valley: call Code and Neighborhood Services at 951.413.3340.
• If you witness or experience an attack: call Emergency: 9-1-1
• For more information, call the Riverside County Department of Agriculture 951.955.3045 or visit their web site: www.rivcoag.org.