By Tayleigh Davis - bio | email
DOUGHERTY COUNTY, GA (WALB) - Several months after Africanized bees attacked and killed a Dougherty County man, police discovered more aggressive insects in the same area Friday.
A Dougherty County Police officer says he responded to a 911 hang-up call when he discovered the bees. Something else guided him to the spot first.
Friday afternoon, Cpl. Danny McMullen noticed an old pick-up truck in the driveway of an abandoned house at 4309 Radium Springs Drive. Once he got closer he noticed a dead cat. The beehive was nearby on the left side of the house, but he had to keep his distance.
"I'm allergic so when I walked past them the first time, there was no warning," said Cpl. McMullen. "When I came back a second time, they were disturbed and flying around so I basically had to leave the area quickly."
In the meantime police labeled the home a public nuisance and advised people to avoid the area.
"The beehive had developed on the side of the structure so we had to call a specialist to handle the bees."
Bee specialist Dale Richter says the mild temps may have brought them out of the hive. The colony is just a couple miles away from three confirmed groups of Africanized Bees.
The group on Williamsburg road killed 73-year old Curtis Davis in October and two managed colonies were discovered on Honeysuckle drive. Police urge people to stay away from the area or any other bee colonies to prevent future injuries.
The specialist sent some of the bees to UGA's entomology lab for examination. He believes they're most likely normal honey bees. Since they were aggressive, he's testing them to be safe. We should know more in the next couple weeks.
Researchers have been sending bees to Florida for testing. That lab has been overwhelmed by the influx of samples, forcing researchers to find alternatives.
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