Attack of the Killer Bees

Travels and adventures.
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Rokrover
Posts: 201
Joined: December 31st, 2016, 5:57 am

Attack of the Killer Bees

Post by Rokrover »

It is common knowledge certain species of wildlife pose a hazard when exploring the Arizona back country. Cougars come first to mind but this elusive apex predator is rarely seen or known to molest humans.

On our latest Chinook expedition to the Dragoons we learned first hand Africanized bees can be extremely aggressive and quite dangerous. They are supposed to be hibernating mid November but we were beset after just one flew into the running Fan-Tastic vent fan of our RV and became promptly shredded. No doubt some alarm pheromones were released as an angry swarm then rallied to the defense and were also digested by the blades.

The bee bits became glued to the fan by their excretions and presented a hazardous waste clean up. I foolishly removed the bottom screen in the cool of early morning to brush off the remains but got stung on still active body parts. Researchers claim 500 stings are equal to one rattlesnake bite in toxicity. We are always cautious about startling usually defensive rattlesnakes but these bees ramp things up to a much higher level of relentless aggression.

We escaped the area in our ATV on some old mining roads into the mountains to find the route to the summit of Apache Peak. This is a notorious 4WD trail along a narrow shelf road with no turn around spots. Extreme terrain quite unsuitable for the Chinook!
Attachments
The killer bee blender
The killer bee blender
Quick - into the escape pod
Quick - into the escape pod
No country for old Chinooks
No country for old Chinooks
Ted C. / SW Arizona
"The Blue Chook" 2002 Concourse Owner: 2013-2019
pdemarest
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Joined: August 8th, 2015, 11:54 am
Location: Santa Cruz, CA

Re: Attack of the Killer Bees

Post by pdemarest »

Good thing you equipped your rig with a "Bee Blender" on the roof! That trail looks great but as you said no place for the Chinook.
Paul Demarest
2003 Premier V-10
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Blue~Go
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Joined: July 31st, 2014, 1:01 am
Location: 1999 Concourse

Re: Attack of the Killer Bees

Post by Blue~Go »

I've read a few accounts of those in Arizona. Super scary! I'm glad you're mostly okay.
1999 Concourse
chin_k
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Re: Attack of the Killer Bees

Post by chin_k »

I do not know the stinger is still active after the bee dies. Glad that you are alright.
2000 Concourse dinette, on 1999 6.8L Ford E350 Triton V-10 Chassis
windswept
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Joined: October 26th, 2017, 5:50 pm
Location: Amish Country, Ohio.

Re: Attack of the Killer Bees

Post by windswept »

Where's my like button? That was quite entertaining! Oh, great pictures too.
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