While we are aware of how important bees are for all of us, environmentally, we are also quite afraid of that horrifying drone of the swarm. We would not want it anywhere near us. Probably Carol Howarth feared the same thing. But then, things do not always turn out that way.
Carol Howarth, like so many other people, parked her vehicle in the town centre of Haverfordwest in West Wales. It was a sweet Sunday and she had so many plans.
But little did this 65-year-old grandmother know that things would not turn out the way she planned the day.
When she returned to her car, she saw it was under attack – by bees. She saw thousands of bees settled on the boot of her vehicle droning away – disturbed at something. Passers-by, of course, were elated and started clicking pictures.
Now bees are important. While spraying pesticides on them would have done the job, it would have been harmful for the environment. So, a ranger of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Tom Moses, called members of the Pembrokeshire Beekeepers’ Association. They know how to take care of the situation best. Fortunately, he was going through the area when he spotted the brown splotch in motion. He was afraid someone might get hurt, or they might hurt the bees. Well, while he tried to save the bees, he got some dose of stings on his own neck, rear end of his ears and head. Histamines kept them in check.
Well, the authorities came over and cleared the bees. The problem was solved.
Or so Carol thought.
The next morning, when Mrs Howarth fetched her car,she was surprised. There was the swarm of bees again. They had followed the car. The beekeepers were called again and it took them till evening to bid the swarm goodbye.
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So, what was the cause of the bee frenzy?
Supposedly, the Queen Bee was stuck in the car. Maybe she got attracted by something sweet, according to Roger Burns, a member of the Pembrokeshire Beekeepers. So, the swarm followed the car all around. Burns brushed the swarm in the cardboard (getting his reward of 15-20 stings), but maybe the wind blew the Queen back into the car. The result- the bees followed the car till the next day.
According to Burns, it is quite natural for a bee swarm to follow their queen. But seeing them follow the queen for TWO whole days was something new. For him, it was pretty amusing.
For us – it’s our worst nightmare.