adminThe Rhodesia Herald, January 14, 1929
PEDESTRIANS, cyclists, dogs, mule drivers and motorists in open cars were very amusing when they passed along Third Street, between Bakers and Union Avenues on Saturday morning.
Unfortunately, they were unable to see the joke themselves, but those who are nursing bee stings today can assure themselves that their efforts were fully appreciated in the offices, which lined the streets.
It began with the arrival outside the Lonrho Mansions of a swarm of bees which spread out as far as the Assembly Building. And then people began to arrive as well, walking with dignity until suddenly they were surrounded by a buzzing mass of insects and forced to accelerate, hitting wildly at the air with their hats.
One man was so energetic in this that he knocked his pipe from his mouth and broke a tooth. A European woman unluckily passed through the danger zone when she was pushing a child in a pram, but she refused an invitation when many others took to shelter in various offices and walked on as far as Jameson Avenue pursed by bees.
The natives probably had the worst time of all, some of them slowly and dutifully carrying baskets of breakables on their heads, while others dropped sheaves of letters in the road and ran for it, leaping and trying in vain to throw off clouds of bees.
One native child, however, seemed to discover a fine remedy. He buried his head in the foliage of a small tree and the bees left him.
Cyclists were stung despite their speed, and a car which stopped for a minute or so outside the Statistical Bureau was quickly surrounded.
There was a tense moment also when a wagon drawn by mules passed along Third Street, but fortunately there was no stampede, the drivers being the only sufferers.
The swarm disappeared and, finally, for the comfort of active participators in the affair, it must be said that at least one spectator, was damaged.
He had emerged from an office and was standing in the doorway obviously enjoying the fun, when a loud yell was heard, and he clutched an injured portion and vanished rapidly into the building.
A few days ago, it will be recalled, a swarm of bees was smoked out of the Queens Hotel
LESSONS FOR TODAY
Reports show that some people in Zimbabwe and different parts of the world, have not been fortunate as they have died painful deaths following stings by bees called Africanised honeybees, aka “killer bees”.
In most cases, honeybees won’t sting unless they deem you a serious threat to their hive or themselves.
If a bee attacks you, the worst thing you can do is defend yourself. When the bee puts its venom into you, they put off a pheromone, which alerts other bees around them of the danger you’re presenting.
The next step you must take under a bee attack is to run for shelter. It does no good to run into an open area with bees on your trail.
Some people have been attacked in their fields while on their farm equipment. In cases like this, it’s a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
When you finally escape the bees, which have been hunting you down, be sure to remove the stingers. While the stingers are in your skin, they’ll continuously pump venom into your body. This venom causes allergic reactions and the wound to swell.
When you’ve had a swarm of bees attack you, it’s important to seek medical attention. Even if you aren’t allergic to bee stings, you could have an adverse reaction because of the amount of venom injected into your system at one time.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter