County Braced for Invasion of Killer Bees, Board Told

It is only a matter of time before so-called killer bees reach Los Angeles County, the county agricultural commissioner told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

The good news is that pest control workers are prepared for the invasion of the Africanized honey bees, infamous for their aggressive and sometimes fatal attacks on humans and animals, Commissioner E. Leon Spaugy said.

Spaugy said his department has put together a response plan, trained public safety officials and set up traps for the killer bees.

Last week, two electrical workers were attacked by the bees near Blythe in eastern Riverside County. Killer bees also have been reported in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, Spaugy said.

The bees are expected to arrive in Los Angeles later this year, Spaugy said.

“It’s going to get here,” he warned. “It’s inevitable.”

“So there really isn’t anything you can do?” asked Supervisor Mike Antonovich, who had requested Spaugy’s report.

“The only thing we can do is make sure the public is aware of the impending nuisance and respond as quickly as possible when we do encounter a swarm,” Spaugy replied.

County residents should not try to kill the bees themselves, but should report them to public safety officials, he advised.