Bee Nests Found Along Arroyo Simi

The Arroyo Simi is abuzz with activity—and walkers, bicyclists and others who spend time near it should be aware. Bees and other flying insects’ nests have been discovered near .

During last weekend’s city-sponsored , volunteers were warned of a bees’ nest along the bank of the arroyo, so most there to help pick up trash from the area headed the other direction to avoid the stinging insects. This avoidance tactic didn’t work as planned for some volunteers who encountered bees (or wasps or yellow jackets)—lots of aggressive bees who didn’t take kindly to being disturbed. Volunteers were stung, some multiple times as the bees followed them as they tried to get away.

Mark Westerline, animal/vector control specialist for the City of Moorpark, said he was surprised by the discoveries.

“I tend to work along the arroyo myself. It’s surprising that there’s that much activity,” he said.

According to Westerline, bee activity usually peaks in early spring (March through May), when a swarm of bees breaks off from an old hive and follows a new queen to a new location.

“Sometimes you can actually see the hive on the move,” Westerline explained. “They’re usually about the size of a softball or a football.”

Normal honeybees are usually very docile until they begin to produce honeycomb.

“After they produce honeycomb,” said Westerline, “they will be protective, especially if they’re the Africanized variety, which have been prevalent in Moorpark for the last ten years. If they’re Africanized, they will swarm with more bees and be more persistent.”

If you’re out on a hike or know that you will be walking through a bee’s typical territory, here are some precautions suggested by Westerline.

• If you see a group of bees in a flight pattern, it’s probably best to be very cautious and avoid them. There are some varieties in Moorpark that can be very aggressive. Wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, and of course Africanized honey bees. Some of their hives are in bushes and trees, but some live underground. The precaution here is to stay on trails where possible and be very aware of your natural surroundings.
• Cover your skin with long pants and long sleeve shirts. Wear solid shoes with socks. Wear a hat for protection, since bees often tend to sting the face and neck.
• If you find yourself being swarmed by bees, there’s really only one way to protect yourself. Make a hasty exit. Run if possible. Get away from the area and take shelter indoors or in a vehicle. Also, try to cover your head with a towel or extra clothes.
• If you have concerns about local bee hives, the person responsible for removing the hives is the individual property owner.

“We don’t do bee removal unless we have bees on our property,” said Westerline. “When we do remove hives, we usually call a pest control company. If it’s an emergency, they can all 911 and the local fire department will come out, especially if it’s a life-threatening situation.”

The simple tip is this. Keep bees at a distance and leave them alone. They have homes. They’re busy working. Your presence is an annoyance. Make your best efforts to keep the peace and leave bee wrangling to the experts.

If you do encounter bees in public city locations such as Arroyo Verde Park, you can contact Moorpark Animal/Vector at (805) 517-6290. If nests in the county-owned arroyos are causing problems, you can notify them at (805) 378-3033.