Neighbors react to killer bee swarm in Desert Hot Springs

One person has been rushed to a hospital in serious condition after being attacked by a swarm of bees in Desert Hot Springs Thursday morning, according to Riverside County emergency officials.

Firefighters are on scene and a beekeeper is arriving to the triplex in the 14000 block of El Cajon Drive. The swarm of bees was reported around 9:15 a.m.

Crews were able to get the patient’s family out of their home safely but another resident is sheltering in place, according to the release.

“It’s crazy. I was Googling up right now, and they are very dangerous,” said resident Albino Delgado.

About 8,000 killer bees filled the walkway of a Desert Hot Springs triplex Thursday morning.

“I was hearing screams from next door and think some some bees must have stung him,” described Delgado. “First thing, I went I looked outside, and there was bees all over my window all over his apartment, and I heard an ambulance come.”

Another neighbor told us that man, caught in the swarm, ran over to her house asking for help. He was covered in stings with bees still in his hair. He went to Desert Regional Medical Center in serious condition. Two young girls also got stung but are OK.

“The next thing you know, the fire department shows up knocking on my door, telling me not to open the door, saying we have a bee problem,” said Delgado.

“This is a typical bee hive in a cinder block wall and it doesn’t take much to excite them especially in a windy area,” said master beekeeper Lance Davis.

Davis, of KillerBee Live Removal, says the killer bees came from a two-year-old hive and they got agitated by pesticide.

“A pest control company at one time was called out here and that usually turns the bees pretty defensive,” said Davis.

The only safe way to get rid of them is to call an expert.

“Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to handle bees, and they can get out of hand,” said Davis.

He doesn’t know what set this swarm off, but says it could be as innocent as someone walking by.

“They can get very aggressive really quick,” said Davis.

If you are caught in a swarm, Davis says get inside and call 911.

“If you are being attacked and you have bees in your hair, don’t worry about those. Get inside anyways and take them out inside with the door closed, because if not, several more bees will join the attack,” said Davis.

Davis says our warm weather and recent rain has made bees all across the valley more active, which is even more of a reason take care of a hive sooner verses later.

“If we do it the correct way. there would have never been an incident,” said Davis.