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CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat
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Kent Griffith from Catalina Bee Removal sprays a mixture of diluted soap and water on a swarm of Africanized bees yesterday afternoon at the Park Student Union. Griffith estimated there were 12,500 bees in the swarm. For the complete story, see page 3.
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By Aaron Mackey
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Monday, April 19, 2004
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The presence of two swarms of Africanized bees shut down parts of North Tyndall Avenue and closed off a walkway behind Park Student Union yesterday afternoon.
Both swarms were isolated and removed.
Kent Griffith, of Catalina Bee Removal, said approximately 12,500 bees gathered on a wall above a rear walkway of PSU, shutting down a portion of North Tyndall Avenue for about an hour.
Griffith said the bees that congregated on the wall were following the scent of their queen, who had chosen the spot to rest.
Because of their behavior, Griffith classified those bees as a primary reproductive swarm.
The bees were resting before beginning to look for a place to establish a hive, Griffith said.
A majority of the bees were drone bees, which are responsible for mating with the queen and do not sting, Griffith said, adding that drone bees were the best tasting.
Griffith said he "accidentally" learned that the bees tasted good when one flew into his mouth while he was performing a removal.
Using a mixture of water and dish soap, Griffith sprayed the isolated bees in order to kill them.
The solution coats the bees' abdomens, eventually suffocating them, Griffith said.
Griffith responded to the swarm outside PSU shortly after dealing with another swarm in a mesquite tree at East University Boulevard and North Tyndall Avenue.
The swarm in the tree was a nonprimary reproductive swarm, Griffith said.
Griffith, who is contracted by the UA, said he responded to five bee removals on the UA Mall Thursday.
While the bees are not native to the area, Griffith said they are not aggressive.
Bees only act defensively when they are disturbed or threatened, and a person can stand in a swarm and not get stung, Griffith said.
However, Griffith said bees should be respected and left alone.
"Don't play with bees. Just call UAPD or Facilities Management," he said.
