Glendale Fire, mayor promote bee safety

GLENDALE, Ariz. (KSAZ) - The warmer it gets, the more bees we start to see in the valley.

"With all of the nectar flowing out there, the bees really take off and then the hives get really crowded, so they split," said Dave Peterson, of the Arizona Beekeeper Organization.

Crews with the Glendale Fire Department are now getting a refresher course on how to respond and treat bee stings.

"For the next six weeks, we're focused on environmental emergencies mainly focusing on bee activity, bee stings and anaphylactic shock," Capt. Mike Young said.

Capt. Young says there are some safety tips you should also know: If you see a hive, leave it alone and if you're doing yard work, keep your children and pets inside, since activities like this attract bees.

"Run in a straight line, get inside of a vehicle or your house, and if you are stung how to properly remove those stingers by using a credit card, a penny or the dull side of a butter knife to remove those stingers," he said.

One who knows the importance of this training is Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers.

About three weeks ago, he was stung several times as he was swarmed while mowing his yard.

"You don't have time to think, you really don't, and the very next day a neighbor of mine around the corner had a yard worker and he got stung over 50 times and was transported to the hospital," he said.

Weiers says a swarm can come out of nowhere and he's hoping people are prepared.

"The main thing is make people understand that you don't want to jump in the swimming pool, you don't want to stand there and swat them, you want to get to a place where they can't get to you," he said.