HikeArizona.COM

Alex Bestler stung more than 1,000 times
http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/loc ... /85002420/

found this article helpful:
http://www.wikihow.com/Escape-from-Killer-Bees

What I am curious about is, did they come near a hive or was the swarm that suddenly appeared in migration? I am of the understanding that if a swarm is in migration or even temporarily in a tree during migration to a new hive that they are not aggressive. I hope we learn more and peace to all those that knew him.

Alston_Neal wrote:What I am curious about is, did they come near a hive or was the swarm that suddenly appeared in migration?

I'm guessing there is a hive nearby, I have only been on Vista trail once and it was several years ago, but I do remember there was a hive there at that time and they had the typical Bee Warning signs out back then.

There is also a very large hive up at wind cave, last time I was there I remember the bees starting to form a swarm and the the buzzing sound was getting louder and louder, everyone then starting to make our way back down and I remember looking back being able to see a cloud of bees. they did not seem happy, it was in my trip report.

I've always known about the bees at Wind Cave and thankfully have never had any issues with them.

Last year warning signs & yellow tape warned people to stay away from the playground just NW of Area 10, which is within a hundred yards of the Merkle Trail. So my first thought was the attack may have come from there.

However, this year I have encountered huge migrating swarms of bees on numerous occasions (only once in Usery Park), based on the number of stings I'm leaning toward this being the case.

I agree with the information in the article Liz linked, particularly "Don't wear strong perfume, shiny jewelry or dark clothing"
I'd amend that to "don't wear ANY perfume, and be careful of the lotions or shampoos you use."
I remember Peach Scent Earth Born Natural shampoo being discontinued due to it's attraction to bees. I had that experience when I used it... back when I had enough hair to use shampoo, that is.

If I see/hear a large swarm of migrating bees, I don't panic (I fully believe bees can smell/sense our fear) or run, I just pull my boonie hat down and flatten myself on the ground until the swarm passes. So far that has worked for me.

IMO, this is another instance adding credence to the fact bees are WAY more dangerous than rattlesnakes.

Alston_Neal wrote:What I am curious about is, did they come near a hive or was the swarm that suddenly appeared in migration? I am of the understanding that if a swarm is in migration or even temporarily in a tree during migration to a new hive that they are not aggressive. I hope we learn more and peace to all those that knew him.

The bees could have been after another animal that ran or flew near the hive and then suddenly saw him walking by. It happened to me once when a kestrel flew past a hive and the bees saw me in the vicinity and swarmed me. He could've had headphone on too and not heard the bees. He probably didn't because he was with someone else.