Stay away from swarms and don't try to deal with them yourself, county Agricultural Commissioner Leon Spaugy said Tuesday. What we have to do is track them and, when we have the chance, eliminate them. Agricultural officials have said they expect Africanized bees to take over all wild hives in California eventually.
Commercial beekeepers plan to protect their hives by introducing new European queen bees frequently.
Then, he said, they attack more vigorously and for longer distances. Individuals should not attempt to eradicate the bees, but contact either a pest control firm or county officials for assistance, he said. Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich asked for a report on the bees after accounts last week of two tree trimmers in Riverside County who were stung by Africanized bees Nov. 28. The workers were stung more than 40 times, but weren't seriously injured. He said residents also should check their houses for possible sites where the bees could establish hives, he said.