Hikers attacked by hundreds of bees in Peoria; how you can stay safe

Hikers attacked by hundreds of bees in Peoria; how you can stay safe

The sound of buzzing bees won’t soon be forgotten by three Valley hikers.

“It was a beautiful day. We were just having a great time, and then it was like tragedy,” said Karen Pierce.

Karen Pierce, her husband Jeremy and their friend Melody Hulse were on their usual hike on the Paloma Community Park Trail in Peoria over the weekend.

The group said they were returning from their hike and were about a mile and a half away from the parking lot when Jeremy said a couple of bees started buzzing near his ear.

He said he tried to gently wave them away but got stung, and then he saw a swarm of hundreds of bees coming for them.

“That’s when I really started booking it, trying to get out of there,” said Jeremy.

Karen said, “I just saw my husband in the biggest cloud of bees I have ever seen, and I went into shear panic for him.”

Jeremy said he is allergic to bees. Thankfully, he was carrying an EpiPen, and Karen had Benadryl.

Karen said she kept shouting at Jeremy to administer the shot, but he couldn’t until he got away from the bees.

However, they said the bees chased them for about a mile.

“The bees were following us. They were very aggressive,” said Hulse.

All three ended up needing emergency care but are now okay.

A caution sign warning people about bee activity is now set up at the trailhead.

Cricket Aldridge, a local beekeeper, said those bees were likely Africanized bees, which are survivalists and very defensive of their territory, which can stretch 30 to 50 feet from their hive.

“This time of year, bees are swarming, which means they’re reproducing their colony and they’re leaving with part of their colony and their queen,” said Aldridge.

She explained that Africanized bees swarm 10 times more than European honey bees, which are more docile.

“But when they’re swarming, you see that big swarm of bees--that’s actually their least aggressive time,” said Aldridge.

She said if you encounter bees, stay calm and still until they fly past you.

However, one wrong move, like making loud noises or swatting them away, could be considered a threat.

If they attack, Aldridge said to protect your face and run away. She strongly recommends against jumping into water. Aldridge explained that bees hover over the water, waiting for someone to stick their head out for air. Instead, find a building or a car to keep the bees out.

Aldridge also explained there are certain scents that attract bees, such as lemongrass, banana, spearmint, citrus and sugary drinks.

She said lemongrass and bananas give off a scent that matches a queen bee.

It’s important to note that the scents alone won’t cause a bee to attack. Again, Aldridge says it’s about your reaction. She wants to spread the message that bees are not out to get people.

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