Massive Bee Swarm in Texas: How to Avoid Getting Stung

Houston Astro fans were met with a nasty surprise after leaving a home game recently. A large swarm of bees had created a massive nest just outside the stadium gates, stinging and assaulting pedestrians as they went along.

Massive Bee Swarm in Houston

The large colony of bees was located at the corner of Preston and Austin streets hanging on a tree branch. There were several people that reported getting stung as a result as they were passing through the area.

Carlos Hernandez, a bee expert from Texas, voiced his surprise upon seeing the large bumble of bees:

We're in the fourth-largest city in the country, and this thing here is just hanging out.

The massive colony was then scheduled to be removed right away after posing a safety hazard for pedestrians, cyclists, and especially Houston Astro fans exiting and entering the stadium.

 How to Stay Safe Around Bee Swarms

If you ever find yourself in similar situations like what we saw in Houston with bee swarms, there are a few steps you can take to limit any risk of getting injured or worse, according to beeswarmed.org.

Step 1: Stay Calm

Bees are typically docile when in swarms, but keeping your distance is still crucial. Don't panic and stay calm, fast movements like swatting can trigger an attack when they see you as a threat.

Step 2: Do Not Disturb

Avoid sudden movements around bee swarms or large hives. Loud noises are also known to engage an attack. Spraying the nest/swarm with water or chemicals can also lead to a response from the bees as they defend their queen.

Step 3: Identify and Report the Swarm

As you begin contacting bee removal specialists, you can try to identify if you are witnessing a swarm looking for a new nest, or an established colony. The swarm is much less of a threat since they don't have a nest/queen to protect.

Now, you can wait for the professionals to arrive. It's important to never approach bee swarms or hives alone, and DEFINITELY don't attempt to kill bees or destroy the hive on your own; let the professionals do that.